Are there different kinds of unbelief and if so, what are they? What did the father of a young boy mean when he said to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NKJV). How can both belief and unbelief be present at the same time?

Jesus answered the father by addressing his doubts. Jesus essentially said—the issue isn’t me and my ability, the issue is your belief. The issue is never God and His ability. The issue is our belief. The father in Mark 9 was believing and unbelieving at the same time. The net result of believing and unbelieving at the same time is zero. We need to learn how to believe ONLY and not waver.

While studying this topic in the Scripture, four distinct kinds of unbelief came into focus, as well as the cure for each one. Let’s look at these together.

#1 Kind of Unbelief: Rejection of Jesus

When someone rejects the only atonement for sin—the blood of Jesus—it is called the unpardonable sin. They are blaspheming the Holy Spirit because Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to convict, convince, and convert the world from their sin.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: John 16:7-8

Once you’re born again, this kind of unbelief is forever settled and buried. When you believe in Jesus, you are no longer rejecting Jesus and His atonement for you.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16

The only cure for the rejection of Jesus is to repent, call upon the name of the Lord and believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. (Luke 12:8-10)

#2 Kind of Unbelief: Lack of Knowledge

Your faith begins and ends with the knowledge of God. You cannot believe God for something you have no knowledge of.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience haveSo then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

You can’t separate God’s Word from His will. If you know His Word, then you know His will.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:14-15

People DON’T KNOW they need to be saved until they hear.

People DON’T KNOW they can be healed until they know what the Word says about healing.

People DON’T KNOW how to handle their finances until they learn about stewardship.

The cure for unbelief due to a lack of knowledge is studying the Word to gain knowledge and a deeper understanding of truth. A love for God’s Word will change the “Don’t Knows into God Said.” (Mark 6:6)

#3 Kind of Unbelief: Wrong Knowledge

Wrong knowledge causes people to reject God’s Word for the traditions, philosophies, and commandments of men. They believe a falsehood.

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:6-8

We have received Jesus by grace through faith. Now we are called to live our life the same way—by grace through faith.

The philosophies and traditions of men are prevalent in our culture today. The empty deceit and basic principles of the world feed unbelief and cancel out belief. Those who reject God’s Word to keep their own tradition are functioning with a form of unbelief that destroys lives. It creates strongholds and cancels out their belief.

How a Stronghold Develops

In the passage below (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) the process for developing a stronghold is outlined:

Thought – every thought must be judged and held captive to the Word. When you allow a thought to germinate like a seed, then it develops into a high thing.

High Thing – you must decide whether you will exalt that thought over the Word of God. Will you believe this thought above (hold it higher) what God says? If yes, it becomes an imagination.

Imagination – in your imagination you see it as real. It takes root in your soul. It then develops into a stronghold.

Stronghold – you now have a dwelling place for the enemy.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

The cure for this kind of unbelief is a love for truth and seeking the truth with your whole heart. (Colossians 2:6-8)

#4 Kind of Unbelief: Carnality

Carnality is being driven by your five physical senses. What you smell, hear, taste, see, and feel. You cannot be dominated by your five physical senses and still see God’s truth or know His power in your life.

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6

Often, we believe God and we know the truth, but we’re not seeing anything happen. We are being dominated by what we see or don’t see, versus what we believe.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

God’s word is true no matter what it looks like or feels like. If you don’t learn to discipline your senses, you’ll be dominated by them. They’ll override your faith and cancel out your belief. 

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

In this picture of a race, Paul is saying to run the race to win. And in order to win, you must be disciplined. He says to bring your body into subjection, not only physically, but spiritually, in order to win the race. Fasting and prayer discipline the body. It denies your appetites and brings them under subjection, allowing you to live victoriously in the kingdom of God.

Seeing is real. Hearing is real. Feelings are real. But the kind of unbelief that says: I won’t believe it till I see it or feel it or hear it, results when you are sense-dominated. Your body is controlling you, not your spirit.

The cure for the unbelief of carnality is prayer and fasting, communion with God, developing your personal relationship and intimacy with God and learning to embrace truth, no matter what you feel, see, hear, touch, smell, or taste.

To learn more, check out our study program on USB. 

This comprehensive package is perfect for individual study or group discussion, empowering you with the ability to identify the different kinds of unbelief and how to overcome each of them through the Word of God.

What’s Inside the USB Package:

• The printed mini book Kinds of Unbelief
• Study materials and workbooks for deeper understanding
• Brother Duane’s video teachings that expand on the book’s key principles.

Equip yourself with everything you need to not only identify where you are struggling with unbelief, but how to cure it. Invest in the complete package and start to strengthen your faith today!

Confront your unbelief and experience the full power of God’s Word

Through Scripture-based insights and practical strategies, Brother Duane challenges you to examine your own beliefs and provides tools to help you stand firm in your faith. Start today by downloading the FREE mini book.

Ready to Break Down the Strongholds of Wrong Thinking?

The journey toward believing God’s Word without doubting begins with a love for the Truth. Whether you’re just starting to study or are ready to dive deep, we have everything you need to identify and diffuse unbelief in your life.

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