We reviewed in the post, Walking by Faith, that the perseverance of faith is trusting in things not yet experienced.  What you see and are experiencing is often contradictory to what you’re believing God for.  Walking by faith is humbling yourself and submitting to God.  It is conducting yourself in a way that confirms your trust in what God has said is true in the face of opposition, in the face of trials, in the face of contradictory circumstances, and in the face of persecution.  It is choosing to act, speak, make decisions, and to persevere in your trust of what God has said and what you therefore believe.  This trust is based on the Word of God that you have become thoroughly convinced is true to and for you. 

Many have fallen short and do not receive the promises of God because they don’t trust God.  Hebrews 11:6 says, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. As we read in, Faith is, faith is trust, and trust requires relationship.  You can’t trust in someone you do not know.  That trusting strengthens resolve and precipitates obedience. 

Feigned faith is faith that has no foundation of trust and no foundation in the Word of God.  Without a foundation of trust in God and in His Word, feigned faith will be unable to endure.  What does feign mean?  Feign means to pretend to be affected by something.  Feigned faith is simulated faith.  It is pretending to have faith, whether consciously or unconsciously, by doing things according to how you think you should do them.  This pretend faith is a facsimile that is not based on the Word of God.  Mark 4:16, 17 illustrates this condition. 

Mark 4:13-20 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Many a person has also fallen short of the promises of God because of “supposed to.”  This is thinking along the lines of, “As a Christian, I’m supposed to be, know, or do X to avoid hell, or because Y is doing it, or because Z said if I had faith, I’d be able to, or because I am a member of W church.”  Or they fall short because they try to live a life of faith based on someone else’s revelation, appearance of faith, or experiences.  These are all examples of faith that is feigned.  It is conduct that is done without God’s guidance and direction.

Acts 19:11-16 God gave Paul the power to work great miracles. 12 People even took handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul’s body, and they carried them to everyone who was sick. All of the sick people were healed, and the evil spirits went out. 13 Some Jewish men started going around trying to force out evil spirits by using the name of the Lord Jesus. They said to the spirits, “Come out in the name of that same Jesus that Paul preaches about!”14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this, 15 when an evil spirit said to them, “I know Jesus! And I have heard about Paul. But who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them and beat them up. They ran out of the house, naked and bruised.

The state of your heart will indicate if you are in faith.  The peace of God guards your heart and mind.  Fear is the opposite of faith.  If fear is overwhelming peace in an area, your faith is weak in that area.  Get into the Word of God that speaks specifically about the area where you’re weak or are experiencing overwhelming fear.  Read and study, pray, and seek.  What scriptures begin to resonate?  Keep seeking the Word and guard what you find.  Keep it uncorrupted and allow it to grow.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  If the Word hasn’t become alive in you; if a promise hasn’t resonated in your heart and ignited your faith, your faith is not yet there, and that’s OK.  Talk with God about it – He knows anyway.  Seek out His Word, ask Him to guide your study, and to work in you so that you will to and do things that bring Him good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).  Ask Him to guide you as you seek Him so that you are transformed by the renewing of your mind, proving by your life and conduct His good and acceptable will (Romans 12:2).  Then as your faith builds, cast down thoughts and imaginations that are contrary to what you’re believing God for (2 Corinthians 10:5) and replace them with the Word that has become alive to you.