Faith Killers

This infographic outlines a series of behaviors, attitudes, and thoughts that undermine faith, paired with the biblical antidotes that foster spiritual growth and maturity. Each faith killer reveals a misalignment with God’s character and Word, often rooted in self-centered tendencies or reactions to life’s challenges. The responses suggested in parentheses align with biblical principles and promote a God-centered transformation. Below is a detailed explanation of each term and its corresponding response:

1. Negative (Faith-filled)
   • Explanation: Negativity focuses on what is wrong, doubting God’s providence or goodness. It fixates on problems instead of God’s promises.
   • Response: Faith-filled thinking chooses to trust God’s sovereign control, believing He is working all things for good (Romans 8:28).
2. Cynicism (Expectant)
   • Explanation: Cynicism doubts the sincerity or goodness of others and God’s plans. It leads to distrust and a critical spirit.
   • Response: Expectant thinking anticipates God’s work with hopeful confidence, waiting on His promises to unfold (Philippians 1:6).
3. Gossip (Encourager)
   • Explanation: Gossip spreads harmful or unnecessary information, often for self-promotion or division.
   • Response: Encouragers seek to build others up with words that edify, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 4:29).
4. Blame (Forbearing)
   • Explanation: Blame shifts responsibility, often to deflect from personal faults. It impairs relationships and accountability.
   • Response: Forbearing individuals bear with others in love, extending grace and understanding (Colossians 3:13).
5. Justifying (Responsible)
   • Explanation: Justifying makes excuses for sin or poor choices, avoiding repentance.
   • Response: Responsibility involves owning actions, confessing sins, and aligning with God’s righteousness (1 John 1:9).
6. Deceit (Truthful)
   • Explanation: Deceit involves dishonesty, hiding sin, or presenting falsehoods to manipulate others.
   • Response: Truthful living reflects God’s nature, embracing integrity and transparency (John 14:6).
7. Apathy (Loving)
   • Explanation: Apathy signals indifference, a lack of care or action, especially in spiritual matters.
   • Response: Loving attitudes express God’s heart, actively seeking others’ good (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
8. Stubborn (Pneumatic)
   • Explanation: Stubbornness clings to personal will over God’s leading.
   • Response: Pneumatic, or Spirit-led, living yields to God’s guidance and instruction (Galatians 5:16).
9. Harsh (Kindness)
   • Explanation: Harshness reflects impatience, anger, or cruelty, often tearing others down.
   • Response: Kindness shows gentleness and compassion, embodying God’s love (Ephesians 4:32).
10. Hate (Love)
    • Explanation: Hate disregards God’s command to love, fostering division and bitterness.
    • Response: Love is sacrificial, rooted in God’s example, and seeks unity (1 John 4:7-8).
11. Soul Noise (Shalom)
    • Explanation: Soul noise refers to inner turmoil, distraction, or unrest that stifles communion with God.
    • Response: Shalom, or peace, comes through trusting in God’s sovereignty and resting in His presence (Isaiah 26:3).
12. Hardened (Spirit-filled)
    • Explanation: A hardened heart resists God, growing cold and unresponsive to His truth.
    • Response: Being Spirit-filled opens the heart to God’s work, fostering sensitivity to His leading (Ezekiel 36:26).

Case Study: Mable

Background
Mable, a middle-aged woman, exhibits many faith killers outlined in the infographic. After years of disappointment, she has grown negative about life and has developed a cynical outlook, often doubting others’ motives. Her default response to challenges is to blame others, refusing to take responsibility for her actions. She justifies her behavior as necessary self-preservation, rationalizing her gossip about others as venting. Her apathy toward spiritual growth stems from a deep sense of discouragement, and her stubbornness in clinging to her ways keeps her from meaningful change. Mable’s inner turmoil manifests as soul noise, leaving her feeling restless and hardened to God’s leading.

Analysis
Mable’s struggles reveal a pattern of self-reliance and defensiveness, likely rooted in past offenses and unresolved conflicts. Her choices circumvent her faith, cutting her off from God’s transformative power. Without intervention, her relationships and spiritual vitality will continue to deteriorate.

Solutions

1. Negative → Faith-filled: Mable must shift her perspective to trust in God’s providence. Journaling specific promises of God could help her redirect her thoughts.
2. Cynicism → Expectant: Through prayer and gratitude exercises, she can develop a hopeful attitude, asking God to show her His ongoing work.
3. Gossip → Encourager: Mable could adopt a practice of daily encouragement, consciously choosing to speak kind words to those around her.
4. Blame → Forbearing: She needs to learn patience and grace, recognizing that others are flawed, just as she is. Studying passages like Colossians 3:13 could guide her.
5. Justifying → Responsible: Mable must own her actions, practicing regular self-examination and confession before God.
6. Deceit → Truthful: Embracing transparency in her relationships will build trust and demonstrate her commitment to integrity.
7. Apathy → Loving: Mable can reignite her love for God and others by volunteering in ministry, actively engaging in ways to serve.
8. Stubborn → Pneumatic: Submitting to the Spirit’s leading requires intentional surrender, which could begin with a renewed prayer life.
9. Harsh → Kindness: Practicing deliberate acts of kindness will soften her interactions and reflect God’s character.
10. Hate → Love: Mable can work on forgiving past offenses, choosing to love as Christ commands.
11. Soul Noise → Shalom: Cultivating quiet time with God, through scripture meditation and prayer, will restore peace to her heart.
12. Hardened → Spirit-filled: Mable must seek God’s Spirit to renew her heart, asking Him to replace her resistance with responsiveness.

Conclusion
Mable’s transformation will come as she aligns her thoughts and actions with God’s Word. By addressing these faith killers through intentional obedience and reliance on God’s Spirit, she can restore her faith and experience renewed joy and purpose in her walk with Christ.

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Peace,
Rick