2 Corinthians 5:7
The phrase, “walk by faith, not by sight” is a common saying among Christians, but what does it actually mean? Our faith is reasonable, but there are aspects of the gospel we accept by faith although we are unable to see. And what are these invisible things? And what is the walk of faith?
The phrase comes from 2 Corinthians 5:7, which says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” This means that Christians should not rely on their own understanding or experiences to guide them in life. Instead, they should trust in God’s promises and guidance.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Closely related to the quote by the Apostle Paul is when Jesus declared, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Therefore, faith, according to the Bible, is so much more than just belief. It’s that deep, unshakable trust in God’s promises-a confidence that he is who he says he is and will do what he has promised, even when we can’t see or experience the outcome.
The Greek word for faíth, pistis, speaks to such an active, and loyal trust that involves our whole being our mind, heart, and actions. So, to walk by faith is to live with such trust at the core of our lives, letting it guide every choice, every step, and every hope, being sure even when things seem unclear.
When we’re walking by faith, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, we’re not relying on what’s visible or predictable. Instead, we’re choosing to live by what we know of God’s character. He is a trustworthy God!
Walking by faith means moving forward, based on our confidence in the trustworthiness of God, even when life doesn’t give us immediate answers or easy paths.
Faith invites us to align our lives with God’s promises wisdom, putting his guidance above and lean on his any fear or doubt we might harbour.
This kind of faith-walk isn’t passive. It’s active, intentional, and sometimes bold, In fact, it takes courage to trust God’s timing when we want answers now. It takes confidence to lean on him when life feels shaky. And it takes surrendering, to let God lead; believing that he truly knows what’s best for us.
Walking by faith means living each day with hope and the assurance that God is with us, that he’s guiding every step we take, and that, ultimately, he’s working alI things for our good. It’s a journey of trust that transforms our lives from the inside out.
Moreover, there are several reasons why it is important for Christians to walk by faith, not by sight. First, our senses can deceive us. We often see or fear things that are not really there, and we can misinterpret what we see and hear with our natural eyes and ears.
Second, more often than not, our experiences can be misleading. In fact, we may have had negative experiences in the past that make us doubt God’s goodness or power. Not every experience is positive.
Third, the world is full of distractions and temptations that can lead us astray. If we constantly rely on what we see, and what we hear, we may easily be led astray.
Bible examples of walking by faith. There are many examples of people in the Bible who walked by faith, not by sight. Here are a few:
- Abraham: Abraham was willing to leave everything he knew and go to a land that God promised him, even though he didn’t know where it was or what he would find there. (Genesis 12:1-4)
- Moses: Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, even though he faced many obstacles and challenges along the way. (Exodus 3-14)
- David: David was a young shepherd boy who defeated the giant Goliath, even though he was outnumbered and outmatched. (1 Samuel 17)
