You ever try to believe… but it feels like something keeps pushing back?
You pray. You want to trust. But there’s this tension inside.
Part of you believes… and part of you isn’t sure.
So you end up stuck in the middle.
Is that where you are right now?
Let’s see what the Scripture actually says.
“And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”
(KJV)
There was already confusion before Jesus arrived
He walks into a scene.
Crowd. Arguments. Questions.
The disciples had tried… and failed.
“I spake to thy disciples… and they could not.”
That matters.
Because effort was there.
But the result wasn’t.
Have you ever been there?
Doing what you thought was right… but nothing changed?
The father reveals the real tension
“If thou canst do any thing…”
He’s not fully convinced.
He’s hoping.
But unsure.
So Jesus brings it back to the real issue:
“If thou canst believe…”
Not ability on Jesus’ side.
Belief on the human side.
“All things are possible to him that believeth.”
That’s direct.
The most honest response in the whole passage
“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
That’s real.
Not pretending.
Not trying to sound strong.
He admits both.
Belief… and unbelief… at the same time.
Do you see yourself in that?
Jesus still moved anyway
Even with that mixed place.
Even with imperfect faith.
He speaks:
“Come out of him…”
And the spirit leaves.
The situation looks worse for a moment.
“He was as one dead…”
But then:
“He arose.”
Complete change.
There was something the disciples missed
Later they ask:
“Why could not we cast him out?”
Jesus answers:
“This kind… by prayer and fasting.”
So this isn’t random.
There are levels of resistance.
Different situations require deeper dependence.
That’s not what many expect, is it?
This connects to what you see elsewhere
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation”
(Matthew 26:41)
“Pray without ceasing”
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)
There’s a staying connected.
A deeper reliance.
Not just quick moments.
But let’s sit in the real struggle
You want to believe.
But something inside hesitates.
You’ve seen things not work before.
You’ve tried.
So now belief feels harder.
Not because you don’t want to trust… but because you’ve been worn down.
Do you feel that tension?
That mix of hope and doubt?
Look at what actually mattered
The father still brought his son.
Even with imperfect faith.
He didn’t stay away.
He didn’t wait until he felt fully confident.
He came anyway.
And Jesus responded.
Another place shows this:
“A bruised reed shall he not break”
(Matthew 12:20)
He doesn’t reject weak faith.
So what does this look like for you?
You don’t have to pretend.
You don’t have to force yourself into something you’re not.
But you do bring it to Him.
Honestly.
Even if your prayer sounds like that man’s:
I believe… help what doesn’t.
And you stay connected.
You don’t walk away.
What would that look like for you right now?
Here’s what you can’t ignore
The situation didn’t change because everything was perfect.
It changed because they brought it to Jesus… and stayed there.
Even with tension.
Even with questions.
So be honest.
Are you waiting until your faith feels strong… or are you willing to bring it to Him right where it actually is?
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
