Walking by Faith, Not by Sight!

The Foundation of Our Walk

In our journey as Christians, we are called to live by faith rather than by what we can see with our physical eyes. This fundamental principle of Christian living is beautifully expressed in 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV), where the Apostle Paul writes, "For we walk by faith, not by sight". This simple yet profound statement encapsulates the essence of what it means to trust in God completely, even when circumstances seem uncertain or overwhelming.

Understanding Faith

Faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) provides us with a clear definition: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Faith gives us confidence in what we hope for and assurance about things we cannot see. It is not blind optimism or wishful thinking, but rather a deep-rooted trust in God's character, His promises, and His sovereign plan for our lives.

Throughout Scripture, we see that "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6, KJV). Our faith in God is what pleases Him and draws us into a deeper relationship with Him.

The Challenge of Walking by Sight

Walking by sight means relying solely on what we can perceive with our natural senses. It means making decisions based only on what we can see, touch, hear, or understand with our human reasoning. Whilst there is nothing inherently wrong with using our God-given senses and intellect, the danger comes when we rely exclusively on them and leave God out of the equation.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) warns us against this very tendency: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths". When we walk by sight alone, we limit ourselves to our own limited perspective and miss out on God's greater plan and purpose.

The world constantly encourages us to trust only in what we can see and prove. Society tells us to rely on our own strength, intelligence, and resources. However, as believers, we are called to a higher standard—one that requires us to trust in the invisible God who holds all things together.

Biblical Examples of Walking by Faith

Scripture is filled with examples of men and women who chose to walk by faith rather than by sight. Abraham is perhaps one of the most notable examples. God called him to leave his homeland and go to a place he had never seen, promising to make him a great nation. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went" (Hebrews 11:8, KJV).

Noah also demonstrated remarkable faith when he built an ark according to God's instructions, even though he had never seen rain or a flood. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house" (Hebrews 11:7, KJV).

Moses chose to identify with God's people rather than enjoy the temporary pleasures of Egypt. "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:24-25, KJV). He looked beyond what his eyes could see and trusted in God's eternal purposes.

Living Out Faith in Daily Life

Walking by faith is not reserved for extraordinary circumstances or special callings. It is meant to be the normal Christian life, affecting every aspect of our daily existence. Romans 1:17 (KJV) tells us that "the just shall live by faith". This means that faith should permeate our relationships, our work, our finances, our decisions, and our responses to both blessings and trials.

When we face difficulties that seem insurmountable, faith enables us to trust that God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28 KJV). When we cannot see the way forward, faith reminds us that God's word is "a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105, KJV).

Faith also requires action. James 2:17 (KJV) reminds us that "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone". Walking by faith means stepping out in obedience to God's word, even when it doesn't make sense from a human perspective. It means trusting God enough to obey His commands and follow His leading.

The Rewards of Walking by Faith

When we choose to walk by faith rather than by sight, we position ourselves to experience God's power and provision in ways we could never imagine. Jesus Himself said, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23, KJV).

Faith opens the door to answered prayer. Jesus taught, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24, KJV). When we pray with faith, believing that God hears us and will answer according to His perfect will, we can expect to see Him work powerfully on our behalf.

Furthermore, walking by faith brings peace that surpasses all understanding. Whilst the world around us may be in turmoil, we can have confidence that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV).

Overcoming Doubt & Fear

Even the most faithful believers sometimes struggle with doubt and fear. When our circumstances look bleak and we cannot see how God will work things out, it's natural to feel uncertain. However, Scripture encourages us to bring our doubts to God honestly whilst choosing to trust Him.

When the disciples were afraid during a storm, Jesus asked them, "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40, KJV). He didn't condemn them for their fear, but rather encouraged them to grow in their faith. We can strengthen our faith by spending time in God's word, praying, and remembering His past faithfulness.

Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) promises, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee". When we fix our thoughts on God rather than on our circumstances, He gives us supernatural peace.

Walking by faith, not by sight, is not always easy. It requires us to surrender our need for control and to trust in a God we cannot see with our physical eyes. Yet this is precisely what God calls us to do. As we choose to trust Him daily, step by step, we will discover that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9 KJV).

Let us therefore commit ourselves afresh to walking by faith. Let us trust in God's promises, obey His word, and step out boldly in confidence that He who began a good work in us will complete it (Philippians 1:6 KJV). As we do so, we will experience the abundant life that Jesus came to give us and become powerful witnesses to a world desperately in need of the hope that only faith in Christ can provide.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6, KJV).

Key Takeaways:

• Faith is the foundation of Christian living: We are called to trust in God's promises and character rather than rely solely on what we can see with our physical eyes.
• Walking by sight has limitations: Depending only on our human understanding restricts us from experiencing God's greater plan and purpose for our lives.
• Biblical examples inspire us: Abraham, Noah, and Moses demonstrated extraordinary faith by obeying God even when they couldn't see the outcome.
• Faith requires action: True faith is not passive—it involves stepping out in obedience to God's word, even when it doesn't make logical sense.
• Faith brings peace and provision: When we trust God completely, we experience supernatural peace and position ourselves to see His power at work in our lives.
• Doubt can be overcome: We can strengthen our faith through prayer, studying Scripture, and remembering God's past faithfulness in our lives.
• Daily faith is essential: Walking by faith isn't reserved for special occasions—it should permeate every aspect of our daily lives, from relationships to work to finances.