Topical Bible: Unbelief: They Who are Guilty of Shall not be Established

◄ Unbelief: They Who are Guilty of Shall not be Established ►

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Unbelief, in the biblical context, refers to the lack of faith or trust in God and His promises. It is a condition of the heart that leads individuals to doubt or reject the truth of God's Word. The Bible consistently warns against unbelief, highlighting its spiritual consequences and the instability it brings to one's life.

Biblical Warnings Against Unbelief

The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that underscore the dangers of unbelief. In the Old Testament, the Israelites' journey through the wilderness serves as a poignant illustration. Despite witnessing God's miraculous works, many Israelites succumbed to unbelief, resulting in their failure to enter the Promised Land. Hebrews 3:19 reflects on this, stating, "So we see that it was because of their unbelief that they were unable to enter."

The prophet Isaiah also addresses the consequences of unbelief. In Isaiah 7:9 , he warns, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." This passage emphasizes that faith is foundational to stability and security, while unbelief leads to downfall and instability.

Unbelief and Instability

The New Testament continues to highlight the peril of unbelief. James 1:6-8 describes the doubter as "a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." Such a person is "double-minded and unstable in all his ways." This vivid imagery portrays the inherent instability that accompanies unbelief, as it leaves individuals without a firm anchor in the truth of God's promises.

Furthermore, Jesus Himself addressed the issue of unbelief during His earthly ministry. In Mark 6:5-6 , it is recorded that Jesus "could not do any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them. And He was amazed at their unbelief." The lack of faith among the people hindered the full manifestation of His power and blessings.

Consequences of Unbelief

The Bible makes it clear that unbelief has serious spiritual consequences. In John 3:18 , Jesus states, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." Unbelief results in spiritual condemnation, as it rejects the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

Moreover, unbelief can lead to a hardened heart, making it increasingly difficult to respond to God's call. Hebrews 3:12-13 warns, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

Call to Faith

The Bible calls believers to steadfast faith, urging them to trust in God's promises and remain firm in their convictions. In contrast to unbelief, faith establishes a firm foundation, enabling individuals to stand strong amidst life's challenges. As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:7 , "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Ultimately, the Scriptures affirm that those who embrace faith and reject unbelief will be established in God's truth and experience the fullness of His blessings.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 7:9
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect. For all his Ways are ...
... last word is more weighty, and the unbelief of it ... would endeavour to convince them
of iniquity, they did rather ... just, and will by no means acquit the guilty? ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iii he is the.htm

In his Temple
... They knew that they had been guilty of extortion in ... to the Jews the result of their
prejudice and unbelief. ... of darkness seemed to prevail, and they exulted in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 16 in his temple.htm

Among Snares
... God does not compel men to give up their unbelief. ... There, traced before them, were
the guilty secrets of their ... to discover what it was that they were regarding ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 50 among snares.htm

Characters and Names of Messiah
... and supreme; and they would be guilty of idolatry ... the power of temptation and remaining
unbelief, have, at ... and their burden and grief is, that they can serve ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon ix characters and names.htm

Psalm I.
... worse transgressors than if they were guilty of every ... they may not be ranged with
unbelief, because they ... awaits them for the love which they have deliberately ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/psalm i.htm

Inexcusable Irreverence and Ingratitude
... piece of ingratitude of which many are guilty, God's Spirit ... has said, "I believe;
help thou mine unbelief." May God ... it was in the old time, "They that feared ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/inexcusable irreverence and ingratitude.htm

Travailing for Souls
... He cannot do any mighty work here because of our unbelief; and, if our unbelief
were cast out, and if prayer went up to ... They are also guilty who distract ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/travailing for souls.htm

Unbelievers Upbraided
... which are temporal, in proportion as they become dubious ... those occasions wherein
I have been guilty of this ... you mix bitter cups for yourself, by your unbelief. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/unbelievers upbraided.htm

The Fourth Season,
... those swords and spears with which the guilty sinner pierces ... and after that have
no more that they can do ... fears which the devil and your own unbelief pour in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iv the fourth season.htm

Letter xi. --For 339. Coss. Constantius Augustus ii, Constans I ...
... shall be angry with his brother, is guilty of murder [4315 ... of Christ, have digged
a pit of unbelief, into which ... Even now they wish to injure us, and by their ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xi for 339 coss constantius.htm