Sliding back on a lack of faith.
BQ: For today, thanks to a friend, the question is this: what can happen if people aren't really persuaded of the truth, if they don't have full conviction; if they don't really do the research to see why they believe what they say they believe? 

A:  Luke Wilson talked about this recently, so I decided to rip off some of what he was mentioning. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith comes from the words "peithō" and "pistis," both of which are defined as persuasion and conviction. So if a person has little persuasion of the truth, they're not likely to follow the path it sets forth. In the same way, you probably wouldn't put your teeth under your pillow for the tooth fairy anymore, because you are persuaded and have faith that the toothfairy doesn't exist.

When a person doesn't search out things to see if they're true, it's a lot easier for them to start sliding back into the world. In Pro 14:14, God says, "The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his," and Psa 101:3 adds greater clarity, saying, "I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me." 

If we're not moving forward, we're sliding backward. If people ask me why I believe that the Bible is true instead of the myriad of other religious texts and I can only answer with, "you know, 'cause," it's going to be very hard for me to have a faith that produces any fruit. I really like Acts 17:11 which says, "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." 
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Strong faith.
BQ: "He did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." (Rom 4:20-21)  If we fully believe that God can deliver, our faith will be stronger.  

Q: How does one gain strong faith?
A: Rom 10:17, then look at John 8:31-32 and Acts 2:42

Our calling isn't just to slide into home plate ourselves, but to hit a home run and get everyone in that's trapped on the bases. Many Christians haven't read even read their Bibles. Our spiritual performance will never exceed the effort we put in. What time could we sacrifice in our daily lives to spend getting to know the Bible? 
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Having faith.
BQ: Faith is incredibly important and is more than simple trust.
Q: How was faith demonstrated many times in Hebrews and what is it inextricably related to?
A: First, read Heb 11:4, 7, 9, 17, and 20. Now read Rom 1:5 and 16:26.

Without faith we'd have no desire to obey, but without obedience, we demonstrate no faith!  Faith's a desire to obey and a trust that God will deliver when we do!
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Belief vs Faith
BQ:Sometimes, without reading the Bible, we get man-made definitions of belief and faith. God defines them differently. Faith is massively important. Without it, we perish. 

Q: What is a key difference between faith and belief?
A: Romans 1:5, 16:26, James 2:14;17-26

Faith without obedience becomes merely perverted belief, which even the demons have. Faith is being obedient to the Lord's commands with the belief that He will reward as He says.  Without obedience, we do not receive eternal life (Jn 3:36, Heb 3:18-19). Yet it is not the righteousness of our actions which saves us, because only the blood of the One who never sinned can do that—it is the trust, love, and desire to serve which leads to obedience of faith.

Faith is shown by what a person does, not what they claim. In Heb 11, each example of faith is also an example of obedient and loving work. They are inextricably linked. 
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What do you really believe?
BQ: I discovered something in the past year: if you think you can, if you think you can't, you're right.

Q: What does the Bible say about doubting that we can overcome? What does it say is the mark of those who do overcome? 
A: Jms 1:6-8, 1 Jn 5:4-5

"But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind...being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

You see, I used to think that God couldn't be that serious about what He says, that everyone did some things, that surely it wasn't "that bad." But it's all about belief. Jer 4 says, "Wash your heart from evil, That you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts lodge w/i you?" God says we CAN overcome. He expects it. If you don't truly believe that you can quit being dirty, that you can quit premarital sex...you never will. Until I realized that I could overcome dirty jokes, I didn't, because I made an inward excuse. We can overcome the "normalcy" of the world, but only if we believe God is right when He says we can. 
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Meditate and dwell on these things.
BQ: Thoughts matter. They're critical. Whether they are dirty, angry, lusting, etc., they're something to get under control now, not later. 

Q: What does God say about where our minds should be?
A: Mrk 7:20-23, 1 Jn 1:9, Phil 4:8, 2 Cor 10:5

 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things...taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." 

Faith's obedient. We must have the desire to be obedient AND the follow through. We can't excuse evil thoughts. Watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Watch your words, for they become your actions. Watch your actions, for they become your habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your soul's destiny.

Lots of people let themselves have bad thoughts. It's a rot from the inside out. I've seen many people fall away because they started making little allowances. It's serious, ladies and gentlemen. It's a matter of salvation. Let's get it right from the very core. :)
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