Helpful Ways to Talk to People With Weak Faith
What is weak faith?
Paul wrote…
Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
Romans 14:1
In this text, Paul was not addressing someone’s lack of faith, but the daily matters of conscience. He wanted them to stop judging one another over the acceptable foods they ate and specific days of worship.
Paul continued…
For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.
Romans 14:2, 5a
In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike.
Those things are not weak faith as questioning, KNOWING, LOVING, and TRUSTING Jesus, but weakness as to how individuals follows “the rules.”
Got Questions says…
Being “weak in the faith” often stems from a lack of understanding of the gospel’s implications. We have liberty in Christ. We are free from the bondage of the law.
Those who are “weak in the faith” may hold stricter views on these matters, believing that certain practices are necessary for maintaining their relationship with God. This weakness is not a lack of genuine faith but rather a sensitivity to issues of conscience that may lead to unnecessary restrictions on their freedom in Christ.
In my experience, most religious disagreements pertain to rules and personal preferences.
Christians quarrel over…
- Traditional vs. Contemporary Music
- Different Translations of the Bible
- Appropriate Church Attire and Hairstyles
- Holidays
- Spiritual Gifts
- Politics
- Etc.
The Bible clearly states God’s moral commands and His truth about faith. It’s also clear about the importance of love. So, when we argue and separate over these unclear practices, we’re guilty of disobeying God’s Law of Love.
I’m not talking about loving correcting over commands that have been clearly stated. On those issues, we should love people enough to tell them the truth from the Word. But on non-specific issues, the Spirit inspired Paul to instruct us to offer grace and pray for understanding.
We are to pray and remember…
God our Savior, wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
1 Timothy 3:4
Public bickering and quarreling do not represent God’s love. They make it difficult for those with “weak faith” to want to be part of the family of faith.
The LAB Notes put it like this…
Some issues are central to the faith and worth fighting for but many are based on individual differences and should not be legislated. Our principle should be: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in everything, love.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer for Unity and Kindness
Toward Those with Weak Faith
Father God, please forgive us. You are patient and loving; we are quick to judge. Your Word tells us to be united in faith and love. We argue and separate over things You leave to personal conviction.
Everyone has areas of personal weakness. We each have things we need to avoid because of those weaknesses. And the enemy loves to use them against us. He loves to stir up anger and animosity among Your children.
We each have personal preferences, too, and we sin when we insist that our faith community abides by them. Please forgive us, forgive me, for failing to SEEK Your will through Your Word and prayer. Forgive us for giving more weight to our feelings than we do Your truth. And forgive us for being quick to participate in every divisive debate around us.
By the power of Your Spirit, please help me focus on You and Your gracious love. Help me love people as You want. Give me the courage to speak the truth lovingly about essential faith issues and humbly and kindly leave the rest to You.
Please help us all to fix our hearts and minds on Jesus. He alone is the source and perfecter of our faith. He showed us how to love well. He taught us how to care for one another … even those with weak faith.
Guard my heart and help me guard my lips, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This quote from Margaret Thatcher made me smile…
“I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.”
It’s so true, isn’t it?
The Lord calls us to be patient with those who have weak faith. And He knows that we all have areas of spiritual weakness. The enemy also watches us and knows where we’re weak. Oh, how he loves to use them against us.
So, remember these words from St. Augustine…
“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”
And hold close these words of Paul…
You have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Ephesians 4:2–3
God is patient with and loving toward you and me. May we make every effort to be united as the Lord commanded, patiently loving and caring for one another.
We are saved by faith through grace, not by what we eat or the church we attend. The important thing is that we worship sincerely, not whether the format is traditional or contemporary.
Let’s focus on Jesus, the One who unites us. Let’s follow His commands and trust His ways. Let’s SEEK Him first and LOVE Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
God be with you, bless you, and strengthen you, and me, to love like Jesus.
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This is such a good reminder to put on love and not argue over things that don’t matter. We need to remember we are all on the same journey of being transformed into His likeness but at different stages in our walk. Thank you, Deb, for another good teaching.
Thank you, Cecilia. I appreciate your encouragement. I pray that we all can remember that the Word stresses the importance of walking in humility. If we all could do that there would be fewer arguments and more kindness, compassion, and love. God bless you!
Such a great post! I find it interesting when division occurs that each person believes the other one is “weak in the faith.” These verses are excellent reminders about being patient and loving without arguing when we disagree.
Thanks so much, Val! You’re absolutely right. Every denomination and even individual members want to believe they know the truth and everyone else must agree. I’m thankful God was very clear on the essentials and I’m praying that we can offer grace on the rest. Thanks for encouragement, dear friend!
I so appreciated your explanation of what it means to be “weak in the faith,” Deb, as I’d never understood it fully before. Now it makes perfect sense. Thanks and blessings!
Thank you, Martha! Once again, I appreciate your encouragement. I’m so thankful for commentaries and the Life Application Bible Notes to help us understand the translation of God’s Word. Blessings and hugs to you!