If you’re interested in living a life of faith, knowing how to be practical with it can be tough. Fortunately, there are some key characteristics that can clarify and guide your faith journey. In this blog post, I’ll share with you 10 characteristics of faith and how each characteristic is woven together to help you live a strong faith.
Let’s dive right in and get started!
Table of Contents
What are these 10 characteristics of faith?
1. Belief
Belief is the cornerstone of faith. It is a firm conviction, an absolute trust strong enough to shape your thoughts, actions, and perspective. As Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
This verse encapsulates belief perfectly. We may not see God or the promises of the Gospel fulfilled before our eyes, but we firmly believe in them. We trust in God’s word, His promises, and His goodness. Our belief in these unseen realities guides our actions, responses, and attitudes. Belief isn’t static or passive; it’s active and dynamic, continually shaping who we are and how we live.
2. Trust
Trust is another pivotal characteristic of faith that involves a deep reliance on God for all aspects of life. It is not about understanding everything but resting in the knowledge that God is in control, even when life doesn’t seem to make sense.
The Bible is full of reminders to trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This scripture emphasizes that our understanding is limited, while God’s wisdom and foresight are infinite.
Another remarkable verse, Psalm 56:3, offers comfort in moments of fear, stating, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” This is a practical demonstration of trust – turning to God in times of fear and uncertainty. Trust in God is not a one-time event but a continual, life-long process that deepens our relationship with Him and strengthens our faith.
3. Hope
The third characteristic of faith is hope — an optimistic anticipation of good yet to come. Hope keeps us moving forward in our journey of faith, propelling us towards the promises of God. It is the light that shines in our darkest moments, reminding us that better days are ahead.
Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This verse vividly depicts how faith, hope, and joy are interconnected. As we put our trust in God, we are filled with hope that overflows, igniting joy and peace in our hearts.
Another key verse about hope is Hebrews 6:19, which says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Just as an anchor holds a ship steady amidst storms, hope grounds us in our faith, keeping us firm and secure even when life’s trials seek to toss us around.
Hope is a confident expectation in God’s promises, a certainty that what God has said will come to pass.
4. Love
Love is an essential characteristic of faith, serving as the foundation upon which all other characteristics stand. It is an expression of God’s nature. As stated in 1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
But what does this love look like?
The Bible gives us a clear picture in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
The love characteristic of faith is one that reflects the nature of God, reaches out to others, and guides our actions and attitudes. It is a patient and kind love, not self-seeking or easily angered. It rejoices in truth, protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.
It is through this love that we demonstrate our faith in God and live out His commandment to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31).
5. Humility
Humility, the fifth characteristic of faith, is about seeing ourselves as we are – flawed and sinful, yet deeply loved and valued by God. This sense of humility leads us to a place of surrender where we willingly submit to God’s will above our own.
The Bible emphasizes humility as an essential virtue for believers. Colossians 3:12 advises, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
We are not only to possess humility but to be clothed in it, allowing it to influence our actions and attitudes towards others. Another compelling verse is Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Humility is not a sign of weakness or insecurity, as some might believe. Instead, it demonstrates strength, a testament to our faith in God’s omnipotence. It is about acknowledging that we don’t have all the answers and can’t do life alone.
Rather, we need God’s wisdom, guidance, and grace. Our humble hearts draw us closer to God, helping us understand His character and align ourselves with His purposes.
6. Patience
Patience is an ability to wait and endure unpleasant situations without frustration or despair. It involves trusting God’s timing and believing He has the best in store for us, even if we don’t understand His plans. Patience is an active endurance from a place of strength and faith.
The Bible has numerous references to patience, highlighting its vital role in our faith journey. In James 1:2-4, we read, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that testing your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Romans 8:25 also points to the depth of patience in faith, stating, “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Patience is not just about waiting but waiting with a sense of expectation and trust in God, knowing that He is working all things together for our good.
As we cultivate patience, we are drawn closer to God, learning to trust Him more deeply and surrendering our timelines to His divine plan.
7. Courage
Courage, seventh on our list of faith’s characteristics, is not about the absence of fear but the determination to press forward even in the face of adversity. Courage is a bold affirmation of our faith in God, a testament to our trust in His power and promises.
One of the most powerful verses about courage is Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Courage stems from the assurance of God’s presence in our lives. We can face any challenge or trial, knowing that we are not alone and God is with us.
Courage in faith is also beautifully depicted in David’s encounter with Goliath. Despite the menacing appearance and towering stature of the Philistine giant, David, a young shepherd boy, stood his ground courageously. His confidence was not in his abilities but in the living God, he served. 1 Samuel 17:37 records David’s bold declaration, “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Courage is a choice. It’s choosing to trust God amid fear and uncertainty. It’s choosing to stand firm, to fight the good fight of faith, even when the odds seem against us.
8. Persistence
Persistence is all about continuing firmly on our faith journey despite difficulties or slow progress. It’s about persisting in prayer, obedience, and trust, even when we don’t see immediate results.
A profound example of persistence in faith can be found in the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18:1-8. Jesus told this parable to teach us always to pray and not give up. Despite her lowly status and the judge’s initial refusal, the widow persisted in her plea for justice and eventually received it.
Another reference to persistence is in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” Persistence in faith does not mean the journey is always easy or straightforward. It’s quite the contrary. It often involves struggles, doubts, and even setbacks. But it’s through these challenges that our faith is tested and ultimately strengthened.
As we persist, we deepen our relationship with God, better understand His character and align ourselves more closely with His purposes. We learn not just to wait on God but persistently trust His perfect timing.
9. Obedience
Obedience is another characteristic of faith we will explore, holding a profound significance in our faith journey. It’s about willingly submitting to God’s authority and aligning our will with His. Obedience demonstrates our trust in God, showing our belief that His commandments and directions are for our ultimate good.
A powerful verse in the Bible speaks directly to the importance of obedience, found in John 14:15, where Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Love for God is intrinsically linked to obedience to His commands, revealing that genuine love involves action – the action of obedience.
One remarkable biblical figure who exemplified obedience is Abraham. Despite the initial absurdity of God’s command to leave his homeland and advanced age, Abraham obeyed, trusting in God’s promise. This account is captured in Genesis 12:1-4. Further, his obedience was tested when God commanded him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac.
Despite the cost, Abraham’s willingness to obey marks a high point in the journey of faith. Obedience is not always easy and can sometimes lead us down paths of sacrifice, discomfort, or uncertainty. But in these moments of obedience, our faith grows, and our relationship with God deepens.
10. Peace
Peace, our tenth characteristic of faith, is one of the most profound gifts that faith in God bestows upon us. It isn’t merely the absence of conflict but a deep sense of tranquility and contentedness that transcends physical circumstances rooted in our trust in God’s sovereignty and love.
Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This peace far exceeds human comprehension and offers a divine guard for our hearts and minds amid life’s storms.
Jesus Himself, in John 14:27, offers this peace to His followers, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” This verse comforts us with the assurance that Jesus’s peace is unlike anything the world can give. It’s a peace that calms our troubled hearts and dispels fear.
In this chaotic and fast-paced world, maintaining peace can be challenging. Yet, as we grow in faith and deepen our relationship with God, we become more grounded in His peace. It’s a peace that springs from knowing that, regardless of what happens around us, God is in control, and His plans for us are good.
Conclusion
These ten characteristics—courage, persistence, obedience, and peace, to name a few—play a pivotal role in the faith journey. They are like individual threads, each unique and important, that, when woven together, create the beautiful tapestry that is our faith. They’re not just abstract concepts to be discussed but virtues to be practised, enriching us and our relationship with God. Grab them!
