When life feels uncertain, confusing or painful, a simple question often arises in the heart: what does it really mean to trust God? Many people ask what is faith according to the Bible not only out of curiosity, but because they are living storms in their family, health or emotions and need something solid to hold on to. The Bible answers this cry, showing that faith is not a vague optimism, but a living relationship with the God who speaks, saves and sustains. In this article, you will discover what is faith according to the Bible, how it is defined, how it works in practice and how you can grow in it day by day.
Table of Contents
The biblical definition of faith
The most famous answer to what is faith according to the Bible appears in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This verse gives two key ideas:
- Confidence in what we hope for – Faith is not a guess. It is a settled confidence, grounded in who God is and what He has promised.
- Assurance about what we do not see – Faith deals with realities we cannot see yet, but that are real because God has spoken.
Faith, then, is a response to revelation. God speaks, reveals Himself and His promises, and we answer with trust and obedience. So when we ask what is faith according to the Bible, we are talking about a relationship with a trustworthy God, not about a power hidden inside us.
Romans 10:17 explains where this faith comes from: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Faith is born and nourished when we hear and receive the word of God.
The context of Hebrews 11:1
To understand what is faith according to the Bible, we need to see Hebrews 11:1 in its full chapter. Hebrews 11 is sometimes called the “hall of faith,” because it lists men and women who trusted God in very different situations.
- Abel worshiped God in the way God asked (Hebrews 11:4).
- Noah built an ark when there was no sign of rain (Hebrews 11:7).
- Abraham left his homeland without knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8).
- Moses chose to be mistreated with the people of God rather than enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:24–25).
Each story shows that biblical faith is not inert. It moves. It obeys. It sacrifices. It waits. It chooses God over comfort. So what is faith according to the Bible? It is the posture of a person who hears God, believes God and reshapes life based on what God has said.
Faith, trust and relationship with God
Sometimes people confuse faith with a technique to get what they want. But when we look at what is faith according to the Bible, we see that the central point is relationship, not formulas.
Faith involves:
- Knowing the character of God – Psalm 9:10 says, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
- Trusting His promises – 2 Corinthians 1:20 says that all the promises of God find their “Yes” in Christ.
- Resting in His sovereignty – Even when we do not understand the path, we cling to Proverbs 3:5–6, which calls us to trust in the Lord with all our heart.
So the answer to what is faith according to the Bible includes this: faith is trusting the heart of God even when we cannot trace His hand. It is to believe that God is good, wise and faithful in every circumstance.
practical characteristics of biblical faith
When we ask what is faith according to the Bible, we are also asking how it shows up in real life. Scripture presents several characteristics of biblical faith meaning:
1. faith is trusting Christ for salvation
At the center of Christian faith is the person of Jesus. Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Faith is the open hand that receives what Christ has already done on the cross. It is not trusting in our own goodness, but in His perfect sacrifice.
2. faith is obedience in action
James 2:17 teaches, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” True faith produces fruit. It leads us to forgive, serve, give, repent and live differently.
When you look at what is faith according to the Bible, you see always this dynamic: God speaks, and those who believe respond with obedience, even when it is costly.
3. faith is perseverance in trials
Biblical faith does not deny pain. Instead, it perseveres in the middle of it. Hebrews 11 ends with believers who suffered persecution, imprisonment and even death, yet remained faithful (Hebrews 11:35–38).
Faith and trust in God shine most clearly when circumstances are dark. When we keep praying, seeking and obeying even when we do not see immediate answers, we are living what is faith according to the Bible.
what is faith according to the Bible in daily life?
It is possible to agree with a definition and still not live it. So how does what is faith according to the Bible look in everyday situations?
- In anxiety: faith says, “I will present my requests to God,” remembering Philippians 4:6–7, and trusts that the peace of God will guard the heart.
- In decisions: faith seeks the wisdom of God through Scripture, wise counsel and prayer, trusting that the Lord directs our paths (Proverbs 16:9).
- In relationships: faith leads us to forgive as we were forgiven (Ephesians 4:32), believing that obedience to God is safer than holding on to bitterness.
- In provision: faith cries out to God as Provider (Matthew 6:31–33), instead of running only after human solutions.
Living by faith today does not mean ignoring reality, but interpreting reality in light of who God is and what He has promised.
If you want to deepen how faith shapes our hope, you can also read this related article: hope according to the Bible.
common distortions about faith
To understand clearly what is faith according to the Bible, it helps to expose some common distortions:
faith is not positive thinking
Positive thinking may bring temporary encouragement, but biblical faith rests on the character and promises of God, not on our mental strength. Jesus calls us to “have faith in God” (Mark 11:22), not in ourselves.
faith is not a magic key to avoid suffering
Some think that if they have enough faith, they will never suffer. Yet Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Faith does not remove all pain, but holds us close to God in the midst of it.
faith is not manipulation of God
Faith is not a tool to force God to do our will. Even Jesus prayed, “Yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). What is faith according to the Bible? It is deep trust that God’s will is better than ours, even when we do not understand it.
how to grow in faith according to the Bible
If faith is so central, how can we grow in it?
1. listen to the word of God
As we saw, “faith comes from hearing” (Romans 10:17). Reading, meditating on and obeying Scripture daily is essential. The more we know God through His word, the stronger our trust becomes.
2. pray honestly
In Mark 9:24, a father cries out to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” This sincere prayer shows what is faith according to the Bible in real life: a heart that believes, but is humble enough to ask for help. You can pray like this too.
3. remember God’s faithfulness
Looking back at what God has already done strengthens faith. The psalms often remember past deliverances as a way to face present challenges (Psalm 77:11–12). You can keep a record of prayers answered and ways God has cared for you.
4. live in community
Faith grows in fellowship. Hebrews 10:24–25 urges believers to encourage one another. When you see others trusting God, you are reminded of what is faith according to the Bible and inspired to walk the same path.
conclusion: walking by faith until the end
In the end, what is faith according to the Bible? It is confidence in God’s character, assurance in His promises and a life shaped by His word. It is receiving salvation through Christ, obeying even when it is hard, persevering in trials and trusting that God remains good in every season.
Faith is not perfection, but direction. Sometimes you will feel strong; other times, like the man in Mark 9:24, you will feel divided between belief and doubt. Even then, you can bring your weak faith to a strong Savior. Jesus said that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20), not because the seed is great, but because God is.
If this reflection helped you understand better what is faith according to the Bible, let it also lead you to a more intimate walk with the Lord, step by step, day by day, until the day you see Him face to face.
common questions about faith
Check now the most common questions about the topic:
1. is faith a feeling or a decision?
Faith involves emotions, but it is more than a feeling. Biblically, faith is a decision to trust God and His word, even when feelings do not follow immediately. For example, Abraham obeyed God’s command to leave his land (Genesis 12:1–4) before seeing any results. Feelings may fluctuate, but what is faith according to the Bible? It is a steady decision to rely on God’s promises, trusting that our emotions will gradually align with truth.
2. can a christian have faith and still struggle with doubt?
Yes. Many biblical characters lived this tension. The father in Mark 9:24 said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Peter walked on water but began to sink when he looked at the wind (Matthew 14:29–31). Doubt does not cancel true faith, but it needs to be brought to Jesus. When we are honest with God, saturate our minds with Scripture and remain in fellowship, our doubts can become doors to a deeper understanding of what is faith according to the Bible.
3. how do I know if my faith is real?
Real faith is not measured only by intensity of feelings, but by fruit over time. James 2:18 shows that faith is seen in works. Ask: am I growing, even slowly, in obedience, repentance, love and trust in God? Do I return to Christ when I fall, believing in His grace? Genuine faith clings to Jesus as Savior and Lord and keeps walking, even with weakness, which reflects what is faith according to the Bible.
Verse for reflection
Take a moment to meditate on this verse and let it shape your understanding of what is faith according to the Bible:
“We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Spend some time in silence, asking the Holy Spirit to show where you have been walking by sight alone and how you can respond with trusting obedience today.
f this article blessed your life and helped you understand more clearly what is faith according to the Bible, share it on your social networks so that more people can be encouraged and strengthened in their walk with God.
To continue growing in your journey, you may like this article: how to trust God in difficult times a practical guide to deepen your trust when life hurts.
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