Unbelief, and life of faith

Believers may go through periods of doubt and indecision, especially on account of difficulties in trusting God or accepting certain aspects of his will for them.

General examples of unbelief in believers

Abraham

Genesis 17:17 See also Genesis 15:8

Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?”

Sarah

Genesis 18:13–14

Moses

Numbers 11:21–22

Gideon

Judges 6:12–13, Judges 6:17, Judges 6:36–40

Elisha's servant

2 Kings 4:42–44

Zechariah

Luke 1:20

John the Baptist

Matthew 11:3

The unbelief of Jesus Christ's disciples

Unbelief concerning Jesus Christ's power over the natural world

Matthew 8:24–26 parallels Mark 4:38–40, Luke 8:23–25Matthew 14:26 parallel Mark 6:49Matthew 14:29–31, Matthew 16:8–10 parallel Mark 8:17–21 See also Mark 6:37 parallel John 6:7; Mark 6:52; Matthew 15:33 parallel Mark 8:4; John 11:39; Acts 12:15–17

Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.

When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.

“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

Unbelief concerning Jesus Christ's resurrection

Mark 16:14; Luke 24:25 See also Mark 16:9–13; Luke 24:11, Luke 24:37–41; John 20:25

Later, as they were eating, Jesus appeared to the Eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

Unbelief concerning Jesus Christ's power to heal

Matthew 17:17 parallels Mark 9:19, Luke 9:41 See also Matthew 17:19–20

“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.”

Encouragements in overcoming unbelief

Mark 9:24; John 14:11 See also Matthew 11:4–6; John 10:37–38, John 20:30–31; Romans 4:20

Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me — or at least believe on account of the works themselves.