As believers and followers of Christ we know one thing: God operates on Faith. Yet we use that term so loosely now that it has lost meaning, much like the word love–how can the same word be appropriate whether you say, “I love my husband” or “I love pizza”?
The key to understanding what faith truly is, is action. We see in James 2:14 (NLT): “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?”
Our actions show loud and clear what our faith is. And our actions include our words. There is one word that I is the biggest faith killer of them all — the word “but”.
How often do you hear someone say I know God is good, but my kids are never going to get their act together. Or, I have faith in God, but if my boss doesn’t give me a raise, I’m going to…
The problem is, everything that comes after that “but” is a death sentence for any proclamation of faith you’ve just made.
I know how difficult it can be when you can’t seem to see anything changing for the better and you just need to vent to someone, but your complaints are killing your faith. See, your words have power in the spirit realm—they either release angels to work on your behalf or demons. There is no in between. They aren’t “just words.”
I challenge you to try these simple solutions to aligning your actions with your faith. (Notice I didn’t say “easy,” I said “simple.”)
- Consider switching the order of your words. Everything that precedes a “but” is negated. So name your complaint first, then continue with, “but God….” It changes everything. He is the all-powerful, after all!
- Check yourself before you wreck yourself. If you can’t do that, ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember the old saying, if you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all.
- Repent for your “but.” We can start fresh in our faith but we must repent of our lack thereof and turn from our old habits of venting, complaining, and judging our God.
My friends, it’s time to start a fresh day in faith. Remember, “God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above what we could ask hope or think.” – Eph 3:20.
