And how apt he was on the free fall to doom that unbelief and faithlessness gives us. Eve gave in to the temptation of the devil because she fed on the thought of unbelief that was sown in her mind - "Did God really say?" and “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Satan and his demons do not in the least doubt the power or existence of God. In fact they tremble at His name. You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. James 2:19
Satan and his demons use the sin of unbelief to lead us into other vices. Through unbelief, Adam and Eve became sinful men. They were prone to sinful behaviours and susceptible to sinful thoughts and deeds.
The sin of unbelief may lead us totally away from God as atheists or may keep us in God, yet rebellious or angering Him with our doubts and faithlessness. Unbelief caused the Israelites to complain and murmur. After seeing all the miracles as they left Egypt, they still somewhat did not consider God totally faithful. Here and there, their hearts flickered with doubt. They cried out in unbelief - We had better food to eat in Egypt. Did God bring us here to starve us to death? They simply did not fully trust God to provide for them. Their sin of unbelief angered God who made sure none of them except Caleb and Joshua entered the promised land.
Unbelief caused the sinner who hang by Jesus to miss a great chance to be forgiven. He missed his chance, and yet the other thief clung to faith and thus was assured - " today, you shall be with me in paradise." Whether we become saved or not lies between the choice we make to embrace faith or to cling to unbelief.
It is unbelief that causes men to sin, making light of any punishment for sin. Unbelief causes a child of God to try and find his or her own way that works, thereby falling into sinful, dubious and crooked paths. Through unbelief the Man of God fell for the lie of the Old Prophet in 1 Kings 13. He lost his life as a result of his unbelief. Why did he cease to believe what God had personally told him?
How often do we fall prey to this same sin. We have the Bible and Holy Spirit as our guide. Why should we follow anything contrary to what they tell or teach us? No matter the accolades accorded a Man or Woman of God, we cannot and should not obey them if they are in breach of God's Word. We need to wisen up. For Satan was once a holy angel. He still comes as the angel of light - a sham of light!
It is time to whole heartedly trust and obey God. It is time to walk in faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6
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