Is Your Faith a “False-Positive”?

Focusing on someone else's flaws is always

easier than admitting our own, right? So,

let's talk about Peter. Peter was bold,

passionate, and often spoke beyond what he

was capable of or prepared to conquer. When

faith required an accompanying action to

match the loftiness of his affirmation; he still

didn't get it. On one such occasion, he was

called out on his faith when he began to walk

on the water to meet Jesus. He would soon

discover he tested false-positive for his faith.

I've Got Faith, I Think

During a storm on the sea, the disciples were

alone, attempting to control the ship against

the strong winds. When they were about

three miles out, they saw Jesus walking on

the water. Even though they witnessed Jesus

performing miracles, they did not believe it

was Him. Peter wanted proof and challenged

Jesus with, "If it's you, I'll be able walk on

water too."

Great faith comes with great displays

of faith.

Peter knew that great faith comes with great

displays of faith. However, these types of

show-off antics can produce disastrous

results if you are not up to the task. He

almost makes it to where Jesus is until his

confidence deficit causes him to sink. Less

than a foot away, Peter calls to the Master.

Jesus stretches forth His hand to save him. At

times, we too can lose focus when we are a

hand's-breadth away from victory. Peter had

the right idea; he just wasn't ready to get out

of the boat.

Maybe Peter wasn't the only believer with

a False-Positive Faith Test.

A believer's Faith Test can have one of

four outcomes:

1. True Negative Test Results: It's not

that you don't have any faith, just not

enough to register as a formidable

presence.

2. False-Positive Test Results: You

thought you had it; however, when

tested, you were unable to victoriously

overcome your trial.

3. False-Negative Test Results: Even

though the enemy attempts to convince

you otherwise, you have faith. Don't let

your circumstances discourage you.

Your faith only lacks an action to

accompany your affirmation.

4. True Positive Test Results: You have

a believer's faith, sourced in the

faithfulness of God. You speak and

operate with an expectation evidenced

by manifested proof. You intentionally

resist the inclination to work things

out on your own. Your inexplicable

reasoning to trust Him is the fuel

needed for positive results. Distance

yourself from time-driven expectations

and visualize your future. It may get a

little shaky but, stand firm. If you do,

you will be "Faith-Tested and Approved."

You may find yourself in one or all these

categories during your Christ-walk.

However, true positive faith will allow you to

withstand any storm in your life.

Living by His faith

We were never meant to be a walking

contradiction of terms. It is impossible for

faith and fear to occupy the same space at

the same time. When you are on the water in

the midst of your storm remember, bravery

to believe dissipates fear. In God's reply to

Habakkuk, he encourages us to remain

steadfast with this, "The believer lives by the

faith of God."

This Believer's Faith

One of the titles I wrote for this piece was,

"My Faith Tested False-Positive." I knew the

Lord wanted me to own it and be willing to

share my shortcomings for my failed faith

experiences. Releasing my dreams into the

atmosphere and neglecting to call those

words back in faith give me a false-positive. I

walk and sink as Peter did when I think about

the boisterous winds of my storm.Worse yet,

I don't even try to reach Jesus' outstretched hand.

My false-positive faith allows me talk a good

game. It also invites me to reside in fear

instead of rising to the occasion. I have made

a decision not to remain in false faith. The

way to achieve my goal is simple; I must see

myself as God sees me and believe it. If you

see yourself in any of this, join me in

practicing to form a habit to create a lifestyle of true positive faith.