Contaminated Faith

 By Andrea Merrell

 

People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves.

Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way.

James 1:6 MSG

 

The woman said she was believing for a miracle, yet her words were sprinkled with doubt. Pastor and author Bob Gass calls this “contaminated faith.”

 

How does our faith get contaminated (polluted, tainted, infected, poisoned)? Primarily by what we see and hear. When we expose ourselves to the wrong people and situations, they have a profound effect on us. A steady diet of the news and negative social media can really mess up our thinking, especially when we continually meditate on those things. That’s when doubt and unbelief creep in, contaminate our faith, and cause us to worry. And belief and worry don’t mix.

 

We’re told in the Scriptures that when we “worry our prayers”—instead of praying in faith with nothing wavering—we’re like “wind-whipped waves.” Those are the prayers that don’t get answered.

 

Gass says,” When you’re trusting God for a miracle, nothing will drag you down faster than unbelief.” Where does that unbelief come from? From the doubters and naysayers and the lies the Enemy whispers in our ears. It also comes when we look on the surface instead of trusting that God is working on our behalf even when we can’t see the results.

 

God responds to a pure heart full of faith. When you pray, don’t be double-minded. Don’t be full of what ifs or plan Bs, leaving your options open. Most importantly, don’t allow your faith to be contaminated by any outside source. Trust the Word.

 

Pray. Believe. Thank God for the answer. Then rest in Him as you wait.

 

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Sira Anamwong.)

 

TWEETABLE

God responds to a pure heart full of faith. When you pray, don’t be double-minded. And don’t allow your faith to be contaminated by any outside source. via @AndreaMerrell(Click to tweet.)

 

 

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