Understanding Faith: Debunking the 'Just Have More Faith' Myth

Just Have More Faith: Debunking a Common Misconception

One of the most common pieces of advice given to Christians facing difficult circumstances is to “just have more faith.” The idea is that if we believe enough, pray enough, and trust enough, God will come through for us in the way we want him to. But is this really what faith is all about?

As a Christian, I believe that faith is an essential part of our relationship with God. But I also believe that there are many misconceptions about what faith is and how it works. In this article, I want to explore some of these misconceptions and offer a more biblical perspective on the role of faith in our lives.

What is Faith?

Before we can debunk the misconception that faith is simply a matter of believing harder, we need to understand what faith actually is. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In other words, faith is the confident belief that God will do what he has promised, even if we cannot see it yet.

This definition of faith is consistent with the rest of the Bible’s teaching on the subject. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we see examples of people who demonstrated faith in God by trusting in his promises, even when their circumstances seemed to contradict those promises.

For example, Abraham was called by God to leave his home and travel to a new land that God would show him. Despite not knowing where he was going, Abraham trusted in God’s promise to bless him and make him a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). And even when he was asked to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, Abraham trusted that God would somehow provide a way out (Genesis 22:1-14).

Similarly, the apostle Paul endured countless trials and hardships in his ministry, yet he maintained his faith in God’s promise to use him for his glory (2 Corinthians 4:7-18). And Jesus himself, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed that God would take the cup of suffering away from him, but ultimately submitted to God’s will, trusting that his Father knew best (Matthew 26:36-46).

In each of these examples, faith was not simply a matter of believing harder or more strongly. It was a matter of trusting in God’s character and his promises, even when circumstances seemed to suggest otherwise.

The Problem with the “Just Have More Faith” Mentality

Despite the biblical definition of faith, many Christians still fall into the trap of thinking that faith is simply a matter of believing harder. This mentality can be harmful for several reasons.

It places the focus on us, rather than on God.

If faith is simply a matter of believing harder, then it becomes something that we can control and manipulate. We start to think that if we just have enough faith, God will do what we want him to do. But this places the focus on our own abilities and faithfulness, rather than on God’s sovereignty and grace.

As Paul says in Romans 9:16, “It depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” Our faith is a gift from God, not something we can manufacture on our own. When we try to make faith all about us, we miss the point of what it means to trust in God.

It ignores the reality of suffering and hardship.

If faith is simply a matter of believing harder, then what are we to make of the countless Christians throughout history who have suffered and died for their faith? Were they simply not believing hard enough?

The reality is that faith does not always lead to the outcomes we desire. Sometimes we pray for healing, but the person we’re praying for still dies. Sometimes we trust God for financial provision, but we still lose our job. Sometimes we believe that God will restore a broken relationship, but it never happens.

When we tell people to “just have more faith,” we ignore the fact that sometimes faith means enduring suffering and hardship, rather than being delivered from it.

It can lead to a distorted view of God.

If we believe that faith is simply a matter of believing harder, then we may start to view God as a cosmic vending machine who dispenses blessings to those who have enough faith. But this is not the God of the Bible.

God is not a genie who grants our every wish. He is a sovereign and loving Father who knows what is best for us, even when we don’t. When we reduce faith to a formula for getting what we want, we miss out on the richness of a relationship with God that is based on trust and surrender.

A More Biblical Perspective on Faith

If faith is not simply a matter of believing harder, then what is it? Here are a few key principles that can help us understand what faith is and how it works.

Faith is a gift from God.

As I mentioned earlier, faith is not something we can manufacture on our own. It is a gift from God, given to us through his Word and his Spirit.

As Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

When we recognize that our faith is a gift from God, we can approach him with humility and gratitude, rather than trying to manipulate him through our own efforts.

Faith is based on God’s character and his promises.

True faith is not blind optimism or wishful thinking. It is based on a firm conviction that God is who he says he is, and that he will do what he has promised.

As Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Notice that faith is not just about believing in God’s existence, but about believing that he rewards those who seek him. This requires a trust in God’s character, as well as his promises.

Faith involves surrender and obedience.

When we trust in God’s character and his promises, it naturally leads to surrender and obedience. As James 2:26 says, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

In other words, true faith will always produce good works in our lives. This is not a matter of earning God’s favor, but of responding to his grace with a life of obedience and service.

Conclusion

When we tell people to “just have more faith,” we miss the point of what faith really is. Faith is not simply a matter of believing harder or more strongly. It is a gift from God, based on his character and his promises, and it leads to surrender and obedience in our lives.

As we face difficult circumstances and challenges in our lives, let us remember that faith is not a magic formula for getting what we want. It is a relationship with a loving and sovereign God who knows what is best for us, even when we don’t.

Let us trust in his promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them. Let us surrender our desires and plans to his will. And let us live lives of obedience and service, as a grateful response to his grace and love.