The Greek word pisteuo, rendered believe means to have reliance upon with regard to a person or thing. In dictionary terms, confidence in the existence or reliability of something without absolute proof: In biblical terms, Godward confidence, trust, in other words to have Faith. Believe appears 124 times in the King James New Testament. At the start of His ministry, Jesus said; the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent and ‘believe’ the Gospel. (Mark 1:15)
The Hebrew âman means to build up, to foster or advance. Brown-Driver-Briggs defines belief as support; to corroborate or be faithful towards, to make firm sure or lasting; to hold a conviction as to the reality of something, to allow or permit a thing or idea. To believe is to trust in what we deem certain, true or important. So when we live by sound and caring values, we will usually experience good outcomes. If on the other hand, the daily horoscope, money, sport, gambling, or the lives of the rich and famous is our guide, we will live controlled by others. If worldliness rules our lives we give permission for it to have power over us, just as well as any other choice we make.
Now, Jesus told Thomas to believe. He told His followers He is the Way, Truth and Life. He did not ask them to think about it, but to believe. He also instructed us to be careful in what we say. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matt 12:34) Heartfelt beliefs make us what we are; for good or evil they control our thoughts and actions. The power of speech reinforces our beliefs, and the act of speaking locks belief place, so we must be mindful of what we do and say. We have all experienced, at one time or other, regrettable words we wish we could take back, but once spoken they can’t be unsaid. But, along with the power of believing is reinforcement through spoken repetition.
Churches use the weight of repetition to lock in place a doctrine or rule such as the Nicaean Creed. By stating this article of faith repeatedly, Catholics and Protestants in particular condition their minds to believe it correct. Its central doctrine holds that Jesus is merely the son of God and not Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace as declared by Isaiah.
So, by habitual repetition beginning with ‘I Believe’ we condition our mind to the lie Jesus is a third of three, not as He declared of Himself the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (Rev 22:13) But as only JESUS can undo such damage, we must not judge those who have been taken down mistaken paths, but we can at least point out their error.
When a belief becomes truth in our mind, it shapes our standard and world view, it sets in place who and what we are. Our mind controls our actions, our words condition our thinking, therefore what we continually do, say and believe, will in the end become our fate.
So I will leave you with this final thought. To presume anything other than JESUS is both LORD and Christ; Father and Son, the Spirit of Prophesy and our Liberation, do not bear thinking about. But don’t take my word for it, listen to JESUS: He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not will be condemned. (Mk 16:16) Of whom Paul said for in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Col 2:9)
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all: (Eph 4:4-6) and that my friends is the LORD JESUS Christ, who gave of Himself to purchase your freedom.
In love and peace as always,
James