Have you ever heard the saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees”? Sometimes we miss the forest because we’re looking too closely at the trees. In other words, easy to get so caught up in the details that we lose sight of the bigger picture. This is true not only in our daily lives but also in our pursuit of truth and wisdom.
We live in a remarkable time in history. Information is everywhere—literally at our fingertips, on our phones, our watches, even in our cars. Humanity has reached a point where we can learn almost anything, anywhere, at any time. Yet, with this great achievement has come an unexpected challenge: it has never been easier for misinformation to spread.
There was once a time when people believed ignorance existed because information was too hard to find. But I believe the opposite is true today—ignorance persists not because there isn’t enough information, but because there is too much. So how do we find our way through the endless weeds of conflicting opinions and discover what is true?
1. This is where faith comes in.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “How can something like faith—something that sounds emotional—help me know what’s true?” But properly understood, faith is not based on emotion. Faith is based on facts—on reasonable trust in what is true, even when we can’t see the full proof before us.
In an earlier message, I defined faith this way:
“When the check engine light comes on in our car, we take it to a mechanic. If he says it only needs an oil change, most of us don’t second-guess him. We trust his word. That’s faith in action.
When we eat at a restaurant, we don’t demand proof that every ingredient is fresh. We simply trust the food won’t make us sick. That’s faith, too.
Faith, then, is not blind or irrational—it’s reasonable trust based on evidence, even when we lack absolute proof.”
So the question for us this morning is not “What is faith?”—we already know that. The question is, “How do we measure faith? How do we know if our faith is genuine?”
Hebrews 11, often called “The Faith Chapter,” shows us five features of true faith.
2. Genuine Faith Is Assured and Confident
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1
That sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? But does that mean if I simply hope for a raise, a new car, or a dream home, I’ll receive it? Not exactly. God is not a “magic genie” who grants every wish. He may answer those prayers—but He is not obligated to.
Rather, genuine faith gives us assurance in God’s promises and confidence in His power. It’s the kind of faith that says, “Even when I can’t see it, I trust that God is working.”
3. Genuine Faith Recognizes God’s Hand in Creation
“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” — Hebrews 11:3
We live in an age overflowing with information and theories. Some of the most brilliant minds spend their lives studying the universe—yet often conclude it all began by chance, with an explosion. But Scripture tells us plainly: creation is the deliberate work of God.
The widespread rejection of that truth is not a small error; it’s a spiritual blindness. Faith opens our eyes to see what is invisible to the unbelieving world—God’s divine order in all things.
4. Genuine Faith Obeys
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance…” — Hebrews 11:8-12
Notice, the passage doesn’t simply say “By faith Abraham believed.” It says, “By faith Abraham obeyed.”
Obedience is the fruit of faith. If your faith does not lead to obedience, then it is not faith at all. This doesn’t mean that genuine believers never stumble—we all do. But persistent, willful sin reveals a heart that does not truly trust God.
Jesus warned, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name…?’ But I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)
True faith moves us toward obedience, not away from it.
5. Genuine Faith Values Christ Above All
“He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” — Hebrews 11:26
Moses could have lived in royal comfort, surrounded by luxury. Yet he chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasures. Genuine faith always prefers Christ over comfort, truth over treasure, obedience over ease.
And when trials come—as they will—faith stands firm. Many say, “I hope I’ll have faith like Daniel’s if I’m ever tested.” But friends, if your faith is genuine, you already have that strength within you. Your faith only needs to be refined.
As Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)
6. Genuine Faith Endures Trials
“By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land… By faith the walls of Jericho fell… By faith Rahab… did not perish…” — Hebrews 11:29–31
The heroes of faith conquered kingdoms, faced lions, quenched fire, and endured persecution. Many were tortured, imprisoned, and killed—yet Scripture says, “The world was not worthy of them.”
True faith cannot be crushed, silenced, or destroyed. It endures because it rests not on human strength but on God’s power.
Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move,’ and it will move.” (Matthew 17:20)
He wasn’t telling us we’d have supernatural powers—He was reminding us that even a little genuine faith can accomplish what seems impossible, because our faith rests in an almighty God.
So, what does genuine faith look like?
It is assured, confident, obedient, Christ-centered, and enduring. It sees God’s hand in everything, even when the world cannot.
Let us, then, stand firm in faith—not blinded by the forest of information surrounding us, but focused on the God who planted it all.