Building a Faith That Stands

Every believer’s life is shaped by three powerful influences: roots, convictions, and traditions.

These elements quietly guide how we think, how we respond to life, and how we walk in our faith. But the question we must ask ourselves is this: Are these rooted in God’s truth or something else? Truth is a person (John 14:6: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life). When our foundation is built on God’s Word, our lives begin to reflect His truth in every area; especially our faith. It’s not what we say as much as what we do daily to represent Christ.

Spiritual Roots

We talked last time about how deep your roots are, for roots determine stability in one’s life. Just as a tree depends on its roots for nourishment and strength, our spiritual lives depend on what we are rooted in. Psalms One is one of my favorite psalms to express that we are blessed when we are rooted in God. If our roots are in God’s Word, we will grow in wisdom, faith, and discernment. But if we are rooted primarily by culture, emotions, politics or past experiences, our foundation will be unstable.

The Bible reminds us in Colossians 2:7 to be “rooted and built up in Him.” This kind of rooted life does not happen by accident. It requires intentional time in Scripture, prayer, and biblical teaching. The Scriptures teach that man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

If you are unsure where to begin, our blog post “How Do You Study the Bible?” offers practical guidance for developing a deeper and more meaningful approach to God’s Word. It can be found on our website.

Convictions

Convictions are the deeply held beliefs that guide our decisions and actions. They shape how we respond to challenges, relationships, and everyday choices. However, not all convictions are equal.

Most convictions are formed through personal experiences, while others are embedded firmly in Scripture. As believers, it is essential that our convictions align with God’s truth rather than personal preference. This is important in building a faith that stands.

When our convictions are based on God’s Word:

• We make decisions with clarity and confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit
• We remain steady during difficult seasons; not double minded.
• We are less influenced by opinions around us, but by God.

Convictions grounded in truth lead to spiritual maturity. They help us stand firm even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. This is why ongoing biblical teaching and spiritual growth are so important. Tomorrow is not promised to us. We are God’s hands and feet on this earth, living epistles to be read by all men. Let them see our faith built upon convictions that come from God.

Traditions

Traditions can be meaningful. They often reflect values, heritage, and shared experiences. But as believers, we must evaluate whether our traditions support or hinder our relationship with God. We cannot serve two masters. Either you will love the one and hate the other.

Jesus Himself challenged traditions that had replaced the truth of God’s Word. Traditions should never become substitutes for a genuine relationship with Him.

It is possible to follow religious routines yet remain spiritually stagnant. That is why we must continually ask:

• Does this tradition draw me closer to God?
• Does it align with Scripture?
• Does this tradition hinder my faith?
• Is it helping me grow spiritually and point others to Christ?

When traditions are aligned with truth, they can be a beautiful expression of faith. But when they are not, they can limit spiritual growth.

Aligning Roots, Convictions, and Traditions

True transformation happens when our roots, convictions, and traditions are all aligned with God’s Word.

This alignment produces:

• A renewed mind
• A strengthened faith
• A deeper sense of purpose
• Greater peace and confidence in Christ

Building a faith that stands is not just about establishing a routine, but it is about establishing a relationship. As we grow closer to God, He begins to reshape how we think, believe, and live.

Your roots matter. Your convictions matter. Your traditions matter. If you feel that your spiritual roots need strengthening or your convictions need clarity or your traditions need adjustments, you are not alone. However, when they are all grounded in God’s truth, your life and faith become unshakable. I pray this for you.
 
 

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