"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." Hebrews 3:12

Several weeks ago we looked into verses of Scripture that spoke of ridding ourselves of all encumbrances that would hinder the path set before us. One of the spiritual hindrances is unbelief. Let's see what more Scripture has to say of this. May the few verses shared today cause us to continually look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Unbelief is caused by --
Sin:
In John 16: 8-9, Jesus is speaking of the work of the Holy Spirit, "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they do not believe in Me..."

Receiving honor from one another and not from God:
"How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?"  John 5:43-44,

Not belonging to Christ:
"Jesus answered them, 'I told you and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness to Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.'" John 10:25-26

Unbelief is manifested in --
Turning from God:
Our opening verse speaks of this unbelieving heart turning away from God.
The Amplified Bible puts it this way,
"[Therefore beware] brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him (Jesus)], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God." Hebrews 3:12

Questioning God's power:
"But they (the Israelites in the desert) tested God in their heart By asking for the food of their fancy.
Behold, He struck the rock,
So that the waters gushed out,
And the streams overflowed
Can He give bread also?
Can He provide meat for His people? Psalm 78:18-19 (Read Vs. 21-22 for God's reaction to this!)

Resisting the Holy Spirit and hating God's messengers:
Steven speaking before he was stoned to death in Acts 7, "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of who you now have become the betrayers and murderers."
Vs. 51-52

Rejecting Jesus:
"He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word which I have spoken will judge him in the last day."
John 12:48

The consequences of unbelief--
Condemnation:
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:18

Rejection:
Paul speaking of Israel's rejection using the example of the grafting in of branches. (Read the whole scenario Romans 11:11-24):
"... Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you (grafted in
Believers) stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either."
Vs. 19-21  (My parentheses)

Death:
"'Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.' Then they said to Him, 'Who are you?' And Jesus said to them, 'Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.'" John 8 24-25

God's wrath:
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides in Him.
John 3:36

Beloved in Christ, if there is any unbelief in our hearts let us do as the father in Mark 9:23-24 did. Let us cry out 'Lord I believe; help my unbelief!"

Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit who convicts and convinces and who leads and guides us on the path that You have planned for each. How wonderful for Believers to know that all things are in Your hands as we cling to, trust in, and rely on our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Amen