The Difference Between Belief and Faith

“You believe that there is only one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.” — James 2:19

“To have faith is to be sure of the things we’ve hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” — Hebrews 11:1

“Faith is having the courage to let God have control.” — Daily Dose

Hear that? Even the demons below believe there is a God. Belief is good—it acknowledges God’s existence. It’s an acceptance that He is real and we can pray to Him. It might even mean we believe what He says in the Bible and we believe we’re going to heaven. Maybe.

But if demons recognize His existence, and yet are the furthest from loving Him, I’d hope we all want to do more than just believe. We want to have faith.

Faith is one step further. One big step.

Faith is active. It is an active belief that God will follow through.

Faith is not about saying you believe. It is about showing it. It’s shown in fierce prayer. In trusting when circumstances show you shouldn’t. In serving others even when you don’t think you can because you have faith in God’s power to act through you. In remaining calm because you have faith God will take over.

Let’s all go deeper than belief. Let’s live more boldly in faith.