What Does It Mean to Confess Your Faith as a Christian?
In the previous episode of our blog series, “How To Build God’s Character and Become God’s Person,” we explored what it means to know our weaknesses and allow God to work in the areas where we still need to grow.
But knowing our weaknesses also requires us to examine something else: Does what we say we believe agree with what is actually in our hearts?
It is possible to identify ourselves as Christians, attend church, serve God and speak about Jesus while our thoughts, attitudes and actions tell a different story. Genuine Christian character is not only seen in what we profess; it is revealed when our lives agree with what we say we believe.
Today, we will look into what it means to confess your faith as a Christian through “The Great Confession,” why our words matter, and how our confession can help us remain firm when circumstances challenge our faith.
What Is Our Confession as Christians?
Citing Hebrews 3:1-4, what a God we have to worship, what a Son we have to praise and what a future lies before us. He has no beginning and He has no end, while everything He created has a beginning and an end. Everything God created requires a connection, and as Christians, our connection is with God through Jesus Christ.
Christianity is called “The Great Confession.” It started by the way Jesus confessed, and He came to us by the way we act on His Word. Jesus evidently walked in the light of His confession. He was what He confessed.
This brings the question to us: when you confess your faith and say, “I am a Christian,” are you truly a Christian in your heart and conduct?
By confession, we mean the Christian faith expressed through what we believe and how we respond to God’s Word. Romans 10:9-10 shows the connection between believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth. God has given every Christian the measure of faith, the Word of faith and the Spirit of faith. You cannot walk with God without faith.
Our confession makes way for our faith. When we act on God’s Word, we are acting in faith and walking in unison with Him. You and God are lifting the load together; He is fellowshipping with you, sharing His ability and strength with you.
This is why what we confess should agree with what we believe. If we confess that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour, our lives should increasingly reflect His lordship.
The real question is not simply, “What do you confess?” It is, “Does your life agree with your confession?”
Why Does Your Confession Matter?
Our words can reveal what is happening in our hearts. It is not only our thinking that builds power or weakness into us; our words and conversation also do.
The encounter between David and Goliath gives us a powerful picture of this. David’s confession was in harmony with his belief. He saw Goliath, but he did not allow Goliath’s size, weapons or experience to determine what he believed about the situation.
Goliath, on the other hand, was confessing victory but found himself in the realm of defeat.
This is the case of those who confess with their mouth what they do not believe in their heart. Many people are not confessing failure, yet they find themselves in a realm of failure. They may say they trust God, yet fear controls their decisions. They may profess faith, yet their hearts have already surrendered to defeat.
This is why the management of our heart and its thoughts is fundamental to our faith.
You will never live above your confession.
Our daily conversation is the great confession. What comes out of us can reveal what has been developing within us. This is why a person can be a Christian in profession and not such in heart, just as one can be a pastor in profession and not such in heart.
Our confession must therefore come from genuine faith.
Acts 19 gives us a warning through the account of the seven sons of Sceva, who attempted to use the name of Jesus without having a genuine relationship with Him. The name of Jesus is not an empty phrase to be repeated without faith.
We must know the One we confess.
And when we truly know Him, our confession should not remain on our lips alone. It should influence the way we live.
How Should a Christian Respond When Faith Is Tested?
There will always be situations that challenge our faith. It may be hardship, sickness, disappointment, failure or fear. But instead of allowing our circumstances to become the focus, confess your faith in Jesus, our Redeemer, and hold on to what God has said about your situation.
David saw Goliath’s size, weapons and experience, yet he refused to allow what he saw to determine what he believed. In the same way, our challenges may be real, but they do not have to define our faith. Sometimes, what we are facing may strengthen our desire, develop our character or prepare us for a new level.
When you face your own giant, remember that you are not alone. The Holy Spirit is your Comforter, Teacher and Helper. Keep your solid front, hold on to God’s Word and allow your confession to remain in agreement with what you believe.
Your situation may test you, but it does not have to destroy you.
Living in the Light of Your Confession
Our confession should not end with the words we speak; it should be reflected in the way we live. We should confess our faith in everything we do. When we confess Christ as our Lord and Saviour, our thoughts, choices and actions should increasingly agree with that confession.
There will be moments when circumstances appear contrary to what we believe. There may be difficulties, disappointments and giants along the way. Yet, faith calls us to keep our solid front and remain focused on what God has said rather than allowing what we see to determine what we believe.
The question, therefore, is not only, “What is your confession?” It is, “Are you living in the light of your confession?”
As we continue this journey of becoming God’s person, may our hearts be rooted in His Word, our words reflect our faith and our lives agree with what we profess. When our confession comes from genuine faith, it becomes more than something we say; it becomes a testimony of the One we have chosen to follow.
A Daily Declaration of Faith
The law of this message, “Confession,” is: “I have a thing before I consciously possess it.” It is called an attitude of absolute faith.
As a daily reminder, say:
“I refuse to accept defeat even in the face of negative evidence. I refuse to accept sickness, poverty, disappointment, failure. I cannot be conquered because I’m a new creation; I’m an heir of God, a branch of the Vine. Old things pass away. All things become new. I’m saved. Jesus is my Saviour. I’m delivered. Jesus is my Deliverer. I’m redeemed. Jesus is my Redeemer.”
Keep your solid front.
As we continue this journey of becoming God’s person, let our confession be more than words. May what we believe in our hearts increasingly shape the way we live, especially when our faith is tested.
So, what is your confession? Are you living in the light of it?
Today, discover why Christianity is called “The Great Confession,” and learn how faith, words and the condition of the heart work together in our walk with Christ.
To continue exploring this message, watch “Our Confession” by Prophet T.B. Joshua and discover what it truly means to walk in the light of your confession.