We’ve all heard that faith is powerful, but what about unbelief?

            Jesus said unbelief has enough power to stop miracles. When his disciples couldn’t cast out a demon, they asked Jesus why. He said it was because they were an “unbelieving generation” and a people of “little faith”. (Matthew 17:17-20)

            Unbelief can stop God’s supernatural power and cut off your blessings—just like it did in Jesus’ own hometown. They didn’t experience his miracles because of unbelief: “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith” (Matthew 13:58 NIV). (Mark’s gospel says he “could not do any miracles there…” in Mark 6:5-6 NIV).

So, since unbelief is such a powerful negative force, how can we avoid it?

1) Guard Your Heart. Solomon taught that a person’s interior thinking process influences and steers the whole life. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Prov. 4:23) Your spirit must be fed on faith-filled thoughts or you’ll fall into unbelief.

2) Fall In Love With God’s Voice. Believers know that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). So, faith gets energized and maintained by a close relationship with God’s words. That’s exactly how Jesus withstood Satan’s attack on his faith. (Read Matthew 4:1-11 and look for the “It is written” strategy of Jesus.)

3) Hang Out With Faith People. King Solomon said, “Walk with the wise and become wise” (Prov. 13:20), which is good advice for avoiding unbelief. If you spend time around scoffing, unbelieving people, you’ll fall into their habits.           That’s one reason Jesus wants us to assemble with other believers, so we can build each other up in the faith (Heb. 10:24).

Remember – “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Heb. 11:6)