Bible Studies

Are You Walking by Faith or Sight?

by Michael Edwards 
05/23/20
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"Then all of you approached me and said, 'Let us send men before us, that they may search out the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we should go up and the cities which we shall enter.' Deut 1:22 NAS

God wanted the Israelites to walk by faith and enter the promised land. It was their idea to walk by sight and send spies into the area to gain more knowledge of the enemy's potential and plans and see if what God said was true. This need to rely on sight instead of faith showed their lack of confidence in God's word, promises, power, intentions, ability, and support. If they had just trusted and focused on God and relied on their past experiences with Him, as ill-equipped David did when he immediately faced and conquered Goliath, they would have had a great victory. By that time, God had already stripped the giants of their courage as Rahab relayed to Joshua 40 years later. 

"When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:11 NAS

When the Israelites did send in the twelve spies, only two returned in faith. The rest were in fear. Since God knows all, I believe that He did not want the spies to see and learn more about the enemy before entering the promised land. God knew He was going to have the victory. God also knew that human knowledge of the enemy would feed the fear that dwells in our flesh, and most would return afraid. That is exactly what happened, and the fearful returned and filled the others with the same doubt, worry and fear. Their human plan to gather knowledge about the enemy for victory, instead of simply trusting God had it handled, backfired completely. Maybe this is part of the reason God tells us to "walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7 NAS

Today, many news sources and social media outlets claim to be bringing us hidden knowledge (like the twelve spies) that will benefit us during the Covid 19 attack. But, since these reports vary greatly like the reports the twelve spies brought back. The only thing they provided then and now is division, worry, fear, and confusion. God is not the author of these for His children, so they are not from God.

for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Cor 14:33 NAS

So, when the spies in the world bring conflicting news and social media accounts that bring fear, worry, division, and confusion, are your eyes on God's promised victory or the great strength of the enemy the spies report supposedly portrays? Do you think God wants us to try and figure it all out, or would He prefer that our trust and eyes remain focused on Him and His promises, so we walk by faith in His peace and power in the battle and victory that are His?

There is no wisdom and no understanding, And no counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD. Pro 21:30-31 NAS

As believers, we all have the same Spirit as Joshua and Caleb, and they had the same flesh as us. They chose to walk in the Spirit by faith and not in the flesh by sight as the other spies did, and most of the Israelites who were infected by the doubt and fear of the ten. Joshua and Caleb were the only two who were willing to go into the promised land by faith. We have the same choice today. We can walk in the flesh by sight based on human reporting that feeds the flesh and can only generate doubt, worry, and fear in our flesh, stealing our faith. Or we can walk in the Spirit, in His promises, peace, and power, by focusing on and believing God's word all out, no need to know all about the enemy or consulate any spies. God wants our eyes on Him, not on the enemy.

God's ways are not man's ways. The battle and the victory are the Lords. If we want to do something, let's praise God in the storm and dive into His word and promises, as they did in the great victories of the Old Testament. Let's encourage, love, and pray for others and let others do the same for us. 

If Jesus were in front of you right now, I can guarantee you He would say, do not doubt God, do not fear the enemy, just believe and you will see the glory of the Lord. 

Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" John 11:40 NAS

Many more New Covenant Bible Studies HERE. Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will and testament of Jesus that began after the cross. 

And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” Luke 22:20