2 Corinthians 4:13-14(ESV)

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

These two verses really stuck out to me. It’s not a big secret that what we hold in our hearts we will also speak and do. I know Jesus said the same thing about the treasures of our hearts (Matt 6:21). What we believe, we will hold true to our hearts in all that we say and all that we do. If I hold malice and discontent, that will be evident in my actions and thoughts. If I hold joy and love, that also will be evident. Belief though, that’s a game changer. Belief can cause us to do some fantastic things, but it can also cause us to do some really questionable things. Belief can drive us to help the poor in spirit and minister to the widows, orphans, and the homeless. Belief can also drive us to darker times, like hate, jealousy, envy, and war.

Even though everything I am is given over to Jesus, I still must ask myself…”Frank, what do you believe?” What do I believe about Jesus? What do I believe about my heavenly Father? Are my beliefs in line with scripture or am I straying away from the foundation of the word?

Romans 10:8-10 (ESV) speaks to the exact concept of belief;

⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach— ⁹ because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.

We can talk all day about what we believe and who we believe in and how we believe it. But truly everything comes from our heart, the innermost core of who we are. Our thoughts are constantly changing, but our belief system is constant. I really have to ask myself; What do I really believe about my faith and my walk with Jesus? How is my belief system affecting my walk and more importantly, who is affected by my belief system? Because what I believe will spill over to my family, friends, and people I meet.

My beliefs will also cause me to do things I shouldn’t do, but because I have such a strong sense of belief in what I am doing, I will justify it as being right and true. I believe..(haha), but really, I believe that accountability will help me stay true to the very nature of Jesus. Not just accountability from family and brothers/sisters in Christ, but accountability from the Holy Spirit. Honestly, the only way I am truly going to know if I am hearing God correctly is to bring it before my trusted brothers/sisters and give it over to prayer. The Holy Spirit will then begin to give me the Father’s truth.

When I am going through trials and tribulations I must ask the question, “What do I believe about this?” My beliefs will dictate my prayers and how I respond. I need to respond with the heart of God and according to the foundation of His word. Any other way is soulish and selfish and will cater to my flesh and not strengthen my spirit.