It can be uncomfortable to hear that unbelief is a sin. Unbelief feels like something that we can’t really control. We can easily take the blame for other types of sin, but unbelief feels effortless—we either believe or we don’t, but we feel like we can’t control it either way.
But if we can’t control it, why would Hebrews 3:12-13 say, “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (NIV)? Why would we be commanded to encourage one another, every day, to keep one another from the sin of an unbelieving heart? If we can encourage one another out of unbelief, then we can control what we believe in. And what we truly believe in will always be revealed in times of trouble.
Are we complaining, criticizing, and dividing, or are we rejoicing, encouraging, and unifying? When we put our belief in something or someone that will fail, we will inevitably succumb to complaints, criticism and division, but if our belief is in the solid foundation of Jesus, we can rejoice in all circumstances, encourage one another daily, and bring unity in the most unlikely places.
Jesus says, “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1, CSB). We can be surrounded by trouble without a troubled heart if we can turn our belief away from a person or a future circumstance and turn our eyes toward Jesus, choosing to believe that he is always in control.
Reflection/Discussion Question: When do you most often struggle with the sin of unbelief?
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