The Sin That Easily Throws Us Off Balance: Unbelief

In our walk with God, it is easy to think of sin as just the obvious transgressions—wrong actions, harmful words, or failures to do good. Yet there is one sin that often goes unnoticed, even though it can be the most detrimental to our spiritual growth and relationship with God. This sin is unbelief. Scripture reveals that unbelief is the very thing that hinders God’s grace in our lives and keeps us from experiencing His promises. Hebrews 11:6 tells us plainly, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” It is through belief and trust that we align with God's grace, while unbelief frustrates and distances us from it.

Unbelief: The Root of All Sin

Unbelief is more than a mere lack of trust; it is, in essence, a rejection of God's truth. It was the root cause of the first sin in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve doubted God’s words and believed the serpent’s lies, they acted out of unbelief. Genesis 3 shows how they questioned the truth of God’s command and goodness, allowing disbelief to guide their actions. The result was separation from God, pain, and death—all consequences of failing to trust in God’s Word.

The Bible shows that unbelief is a deeper issue than many outward sins. While other sins may have visible consequences, unbelief is subtle but incredibly harmful because it attacks our foundation of faith. It leads to fear, doubt, and disobedience, which disrupt our relationship with God and prevent us from fully living in His grace.

Hebrews 12:1 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

The sin that easily beset us or hinders us is unbelief. It is unbelief that prevents us from experiencing God's rest.

Unbelief Frustrates God’s Grace

God’s grace is a gift, freely given to empower us, forgive us, and sustain us. However, unbelief obstructs the flow of this grace. In Mark 6:5-6, we see a striking example of this. When Jesus visited His hometown, “He could do no mighty work there...because of their unbelief.” The people’s disbelief limited the power of Jesus to work in their lives. Though He was able to heal and deliver countless others, His grace and power were restricted by their lack of faith.

The same principle applies to us today. Unbelief makes it difficult to accept God’s promises, rely on His provision, or rest in His peace. Instead of approaching God with faith and trust, unbelief keeps us in a state of doubt, worrying that God’s Word might not be true or that His promises might not apply to us. 

Unbelief Versus Faith

Hebrews 3:12 warns us, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Unbelief is described here as a condition of the heart that leads us away from God. Faith, on the other hand, is what draws us near. Faith is believing not just in God’s existence but in His goodness, His promises, and His Word. 

In Hebrews 11, we read about the heroes of faith who “believed God” despite the circumstance. Abraham believed God’s promise of a child even when it seemed impossible, and his faith was credited as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Faith trusts God at His Word, even when circumstances say otherwise, while unbelief relies on doubt and limited understanding.

Unbelief Displeases God

Unbelief is not just a personal struggle; it’s something that God Himself takes seriously. Hebrews 3:18-19 shows how unbelief kept the Israelites from entering the Promised Land. They had seen miracles, experienced God’s provision, and heard His promises, yet they doubted His ability to fulfill them. Because of their unbelief, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, never experiencing the fullness of what God had prepared for them.

Unbelief displeases God because it questions His character, His promises, and His ability to bring about what He has spoken. God desires our trust and longs for us to believe that He is who He says He is, and that He will do what He has promised to do. When we harbor unbelief, we are essentially telling God, “I don’t believe You are enough” or “I don’t trust that You are faithful.”

Overcoming the Sin of Unbelief

The good news is that we can overcome unbelief by actively cultivating faith in our lives. Here are some ways to build faith and combat unbelief:

1. Immerse Yourself in the Word of God: Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The more we saturate ourselves in God’s Word, the more our faith grows. Scripture reminds us of God’s character, His faithfulness, and His promises, reinforcing our trust in Him.

2. Meditate on God’s Promises: Unbelief often stems from forgetting what God has promised. Regularly meditate on verses that affirm God’s love, provision, and faithfulness. Joshua 1:8 encourages us to keep God’s Word in our hearts and minds, saying, “Meditate on it day and night".

3. Give Thanks for God’s Faithfulness: Reflecting on past experiences of God’s faithfulness can boost your confidence in His future promises. Gratitude helps us to see His hand in our lives and reminds us of His reliability. Give thanks for who he is to you.

 Walk by Faith, Not by Sight: Faith often requires us to trust what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as *“the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”* Even when circumstances seem contrary, choose to walk in faith, trusting that God’s Word is greater than what you see or feel.

Conclusion: Faith Restores Our Balance

While unbelief can throw us off balance and hinder God’s grace, faith brings us back into alignment with God’s will. Faith is the foundation on which our relationship with God is built; without it, we cannot fully experience His love, joy, peace, and promises.

When we labor to trust, surrendering our doubts and anxieties to God, we position ourselves to receive His grace in abundance. Remember that it is not by striving that we please God, but by believing. Let us lay aside the sin of unbelief, choosing instead to trust in the One who is faithful and true.