Matthew 14:22-33, Faith vs. presumption (6)

ii)      False faith.  In the next few passages let’s ask how we know that the individuals involved are not really trusting the God.

(1)                        James 2:19: This one is easy in the sense that everyone knows that the devil is evil and doesn’t trust God.  But it says he believes, and he trembles as a result of what he believes about God.  So what is the problem?  Perhaps it is what we said: he believes about God but not in God.  Go back through the synonyms for faith.  They all require some knowledge about God or His word.  But “faith” is not the knowing; it is the capitulation of the heart to God, leaning on Him, finding our delight in Him, and so forth.  Later in James we see that the one who receives grace is the one who is humble … therefore submit to God (Jas. 4:6-7).  With Satan there is no submission in this faith he has.  Therefore, we need to understand that the word “believe” or “faith” can be used to speak of a false faith.  Read on.

(2)                        John 2:23-24; 6:26: Many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.  But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men … He knew what was in man.  John 6:26 uses one of the synonyms for faith: You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.  Here were people who did not follower Christ; they saw the miracles/signs but not the Miracle Worker who was the Bread of Life who came from heaven.  It is interesting. “Commit” in Jn. 2:24 is pisteuo, the word for faith, to believe.  What I believe is happening here is that Jesus is concerned that He not simply have a popular following or a political landslide.  To receive Jesus (John 1:12) is an issue of the heart.  Jesus knows how people think.  I think this is the reason Jesus, on several occasions, tells people who were healed not to tell others about it, or not to tell others who He was (e.g. Mk. 2:9; Lk. 9:20-21). 

(3)                        Numbers 11:1,4-6: How do we know the people of Israel were not trusting God?  Because of their grumbling and complaining all the time.  Think about that!

(4)                        Mark 4:35-41: The presence of fear, in the presence of the Lord of Creation, is a sure sign of no faith.  Thus Jesus asked, Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?  Again, think about this!  Fear has many forms: worry (Mt. 6:24-25), timidity (2 Tim. 1:7-8) and doubt (Rom. 14:23) are a few.