What is Dead Faith?

It is hard to imagine we start with the measure of the God kind of faith and then it could turn into dead faith. How can this happen?

In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself. (James 2:17 CSB)

Now, we understand that faith without works is dead. There are two aspects to this. James uses one aspect as an example. We can talk all we want about our Christian principles of helping people, but prayer alone isn’t enough.

If there is a physical need, we are to help with that need. If they need clothes, provide clothes. If they need food, provide food. Do notice, this example James uses is for our brothers and sisters in Christ. They come first before the unbelievers in the world.

We can’t just talk about helping our brothers and sisters in Christ. We often need to do something. Sure, we should pray for them. But we also need to meet their physical needs, if there are any.

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 CSB)

Now how about the other aspect of faith without works is dead? Let’s look at James in the Weymouth Translation.

What good is it, my brethren, if a man professes to have faith, and yet his actions do not correspond? Can such faith save him? (James 2:14 Weymouth)

So, what is corresponding action to our faith? Let’s look at the story of the woman with the issue of blood, for our example.

Now a woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years had endured much under many doctors. She had spent everything she had and was not helped at all. On the contrary, she became worse. Having heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothing. For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I’ll be made well.” Instantly her flow of blood ceased, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction. (Mark 5:25-29 CSB)

I want you to notice three distinct things in this verse. First, she heard about Jesus. Next, she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I’ll be made well.” These are the words that built the faith inside her. Finally, she did the corresponding action to her faith- she found Jesus and acted upon her words.

Receiving anything by faith is a three-step process: 

1. Hear the Word
2. Speak the Word
3. Do the Word

She obtained the desired result because of the corresponding action to her faith. It was the corresponding action that determined the result.

If you have corresponding action to your faith, you will never have dead faith. You can find God’s promise in the Word. Speak it, building that hope into faith. But if there is no corresponding action to your faith, it is dead faith.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, show me any area of my life where I have dead faith. Reveal to me what I need to do to revive my faith in that area. Show me the corresponding action that goes with the promise I am believing for. I repent if there is any unforgiveness in me. Thank you for your guidance and revelation. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Additional Scriptures

Hebrews 11:1; Mark 5:21-43; Matthew 9:18-26; Luke 8”40-56; James 2:14-26