The completeness of conviction and confidence expressed in the life of the believer, worked by the Holy Spirit. It derives from a reliance upon God and his promises alone, and results in boldness and steadfastness in service and in the face of difficulties.
Assurance and faith
Deuteronomy 9:3; Hebrews 10:22 See also Deuteronomy 1:21; Joshua 1:9; 2 Chronicles 20:17; John 17:8; Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 12:5
But understand that today the LORD your God goes across ahead of you as a consuming fire; He will destroy them and subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them swiftly, as the LORD has promised you.
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Assurance and hope
Hebrews 6:11 See also Proverbs 23:18; Hebrews 6:19
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
Assurance expressed by believers
Assurance in adversity
Hebrews 13:6 See also Psalm 118:6–7, Psalm 3:6, Psalm 27:3–5, Psalm 46:1–3, Psalm 71:5–6, Psalm 73:26; Romans 8:38–39; 2 Corinthians 4:16
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Assurance of God's promises
Joshua 23:14 See also 1 Kings 8:56; Romans 4:20–21; 2 Corinthians 1:20
Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.
Assurance in ministry
Romans 1:16; 1 Timothy 3:13 See also 2 Corinthians 3:4, 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2 Corinthians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Peter 1:12
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Assurance in prayer
1 John 5:14 See also 1 John 3:21–22
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Assurance of God's will
Romans 14:5 See also Romans 14:14, Romans 14:23; 1 Corinthians 8:9–11
One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
Assurance may be strengthened
Examples of believers asking for assurance
Genesis 15:8 Abraham; Exodus 33:16 Moses; Judges 6:17 Gideon; Luke 1:18 Zechariah
Assurance through understanding
that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
Assurance through waiting on God
Psalm 46:10 See also Psalm 27:14, Psalm 33:20; Isaiah 30:15, Isaiah 32:17–18 The revelation of God's righteousness among his people results in true peace.
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”
Assurance strengthened by others
2 Chronicles 32:6–8 by example; 2 Timothy 3:14 through teaching; Colossians 4:12 through prayer; 1 Thessalonians 3:2–3 through encouragement amidst trials
False teaching weakens assurance
2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:18
The delusion of false assurance
The danger of self-assurance
Luke 18:9–14; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Philippians 3:3–4
Such assurance proved false by conduct
1 John 1:6 See also 1 John 2:9–11, 1 John 3:6, 1 John 4:20; 2 John 1:9; 3 John 1:11
If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.