Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24, NIV).
“I believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” This exclamation signifies a contradiction of thoughts. One thought agrees with the Word of God while the other opposes it. Each thought has an origin; the origin being either the Spirit or the flesh. Our flesh produces thoughts of doubt, and the Spirit produces thoughts of faith. We must realize that the Spirit is strengthened by our intake of the Word of God, and our flesh is strengthened by all that disagrees with the Word.
We must appreciate the fact that we have two identities to live with: our spiritual identity and our identity in the flesh—and each nature fights for power. Our consistent use of the Word will bring our spiritual identity to the forefront and give it control in our lives. Even when our spiritual identity is at the forefront, our flesh still loves to invade our lives. Doubt creeps in when we least expect it. It can overtake us if we are not careful. The boy’s father knew the answer to his doubt; the answer was to call out for help. Do we call out for help or do we try to “man up” and handle the doubt ourselves? Do we feel as if we are not successful as a Christian because of the doubt and believe that we alone must rectify the situation? We cannot produce faith in our lives and we cannot maintain it! The sooner we realize our need for help, the quicker we will go to God for the help we need.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (John 15:16, KJV).
Jesus said that He ordained us to go and bring forth fruit—spiritual fruit. The word ordained is defined as: to place or put in a horizontal position, to make passive. This means that our flesh has to be inactive in order for us to operate in the Spirit. A horizontal position signifies sleep or death. We have to put our flesh in a horizontal position by focusing on Christ and letting Him work through us instead of yielding to our flesh.
I cannot produce faith; faith has a spiritual source. I need to let the Word fill me and flow out of me. If I desire Spiritual fruit that will remain for eternity, then I must understand my need to fill myself with the Word. My priority must be my intake of the Word.
Admitting our uncertainty and crying out to God for the help that we need is not a negative action. It is opening our eyes to our desperate need for Christ—our continual need! Never underestimate your need for Christ.
Peter found himself in need as he found himself sinking (Matthew 14:25-33). Peter was walking on the water until he looked at his circumstances. Peter looked around and began to fear. This fear led him to cry out to Jesus. Peter was not shy when it came to crying out for help. He was not worried about what his friends might think. He was not agonizing and fearing that his lack of faith would disqualify him for the help he necessitated. As soon as he began to sink, he cried out. We must do the same! Do not attempt to handle it on your own. We need Christ’s help and we need it now. Instantly Jesus reached out to Peter and He will do the same for us. He is not waiting for us to earn His help. If we could earn it, we would not really need it!
