And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (Romans 4:21 KJV)

Is it not remarkable how believers sometimes struggle with faith itself? Even as a believer, I find it perplexing that doubts still cloud my heart when I encounter certain scriptures. As a minister, it astonishes me to witness fellow believers grappling with faith. In this devotional, we will explore belief as a three-tiered pyramid consisting of reason, persuasion, and reliance—a perspective that could revolutionize your faith journey.

Belief starts by evaluating the information presented to us, discerning its truthfulness. In our faith, this information represents divine truth, distinct from scientific or empirical facts. We believe what we perceive to be true, guided by the capacity God endowed upon us to assess and determine truth. Although the intricacies of this process are vast, it’s clear that reason plays a significant role. For instance, those who do not know Christ remain unconvinced of His truth because their reasoning concludes the gospel to be false. Conversely, when God initiates someone’s salvation, He opens their heart to recognize the truth of the Gospel.

Once we establish the truthfulness of information, our hearts are naturally inclined to accept what we perceive as true. Belief essentially involves being persuaded or convinced of a truth. Take Abraham’s example in Romans 4:21, where he firmly believed that God would make him a father of nations, despite his and Sarah’s advanced age. None of us believe in what we deem untrue. Persuasion, therefore, is firmly grounded in the initial determination of truth.

The third layer of belief, resting upon persuasion which itself builds on truthfulness, is reliance. Believing translates into how we depend on these truths in our daily decisions. Reliance represents the tangible expression of belief—natural and unforced. Coming from a Pentecostal background, I was once taught to demonstrate my faith through specific actions. However, the notion that faith must be proven is a misconception. True belief naturally manifests in our emotions, words, and actions. The most authentic evidence of what we genuinely believe is reflected in our spontaneous actions, not in contrived attempts to show faith. Therefore, actions, when genuine and unscripted, are the clearest testament to our beliefs.

In summary, belief starts when our hearts recognize information as true. Once we establish truthfulness, persuasion follows naturally. This conviction then quickly becomes evident in our actions and words.

Meditate

What are the three layers of the believing pyramid described above?

Apply the Word

Please study the truth discussed in the devotional above until it settles in your heart.

Pray

Ask the Spirit to help you to believe.  

Recommended reading

• How to Train Your Heart to Believe God’s Word
• How the Spirit Produces Faith in Our Hearts 
• If Thou Wouldest Believe, thou Shouldest See the Glory of God  
• Faith Mimics: Looks Like Faith, But It’s Not
• View All Deshen Daily Devotionals

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