WALKING BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT

WALKING BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Supporting Texts: Hebrews 11:1-6; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:24-25; Mark 11:24; Habakkuk 2:4; Psalm 37:5; 2 Corinthians 4:18

Description: Walking by faith means trusting God, His Word, and His promises even when circumstances do not yet agree with what He has spoken.

INTRODUCTION

The Christian life is a life of faith. We are saved by faith, justified by faith, sustained by faith, and called to live by faith. Paul declares plainly in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” This means that our direction in life must not be determined solely by what our physical eyes can see.

Sight deals with what is visible, immediate, and measurable. Faith deals with God, His Word, His promises, and the things that are not yet visible. Sight says, “I cannot see it.” Faith says, “God has spoken, therefore I believe it.” Sight looks at the circumstances; faith looks at the God who controls the circumstances.

Walking by faith does not mean denying reality or pretending that difficulties do not exist. It means refusing to allow what you see to become greater than what God has said. Faith acknowledges the situation but places greater confidence in God's power, faithfulness, and promises.

1. FAITH TRUSTS GOD BEYOND WHAT THE EYES CAN SEE

Faith enables us to trust God even when we cannot see the outcome. The absence of visible evidence does not mean the absence of God's presence or activity.

a. Faith Believes God's Word (Hebrews 11:1) — Faith gives substance to what we hope for and confidence concerning what we cannot yet see.

b. Faith Trusts God's Character (Numbers 23:19) — We can trust God because He does not lie and He does not fail to fulfil His Word.

c. Faith Looks Beyond Circumstances (Romans 8:24-25) — Hope teaches us to wait patiently for what we cannot yet see.

d. Faith Rests in God's Faithfulness (Psalm 37:5) — When we commit our way to the Lord, we can trust Him to bring His purpose to pass.

Biblical Example: Abraham obeyed God and went out without knowing exactly where he was going because he trusted the One who had called him (Hebrews 11:8).

2. FAITH IS GUIDED BY GOD'S WORD

Faith is not imagination or wishful thinking. Genuine biblical faith is founded upon God's revealed Word.

a. God's Word Gives Direction (Psalm 119:105) — When the path ahead is unclear, God's Word provides light for the next step.

b. Faith Comes Through Hearing (Romans 10:17) — The Word of God builds the faith necessary to trust Him.

c. God's Promises Give Confidence (2 Peter 1:4) — We can stand upon the promises of God because they are greater than our present circumstances.

d. Faith Obeys What God Says (James 2:17) — True faith produces action; it does not merely agree intellectually with God's Word.

Biblical Example: Noah acted upon God's warning concerning things he had not yet seen and built the ark according to God's command (Hebrews 11:7).

3. DO NOT ALLOW WHAT YOU SEE TO DESTROY YOUR FAITH

Circumstances can speak loudly, but they must never speak louder than God's promises. What you see today may be different from what God is preparing for tomorrow.

a. Do Not Fear Present Circumstances (Psalm 56:3-4) — When fear rises because of what you see, deliberately put your trust in God.

b. Do Not Measure God by Your Situation (Isaiah 55:8-9) — God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

c. Do Not Let Delay Become Doubt (Habakkuk 2:3-4) — Even when the vision seems delayed, faith waits for God's appointed time.

d. Do Not Surrender to Discouragement (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) — We must look beyond temporary troubles to the eternal things God is accomplishing.

Biblical Example: The twelve spies saw the same promised land, but Joshua and Caleb saw the situation through the eyes of faith and believed that God could give Israel the land (Numbers 13:27-30; 14:6-9).

4. FAITH REQUIRES TRUSTING GOD'S TIMING

Sometimes faith is required not only to believe God's promise but also to wait for its fulfilment. God's delay is not God's denial.

a. Wait for God's Appointed Time (Habakkuk 2:3) — God's promise will come to pass at the time He has appointed.

b. Trust God While You Wait (Psalm 27:14) — Waiting is not wasted when our confidence remains in God.

c. Keep Praying in Faith (Mark 11:24) — Faith continues to pray and believe even before the answer becomes visible.

d. Remain Faithful During Delay (Galatians 6:9) — Do not become weary in doing what is right because the harvest will come in due season.

Biblical Example: Joseph received dreams of God's purpose for his life, but he endured years of slavery and imprisonment before seeing the fulfilment of those dreams (Genesis 37:5-11; 41:39-41).

5. FAITH PRODUCES COURAGE TO OBEY GOD

Faith is demonstrated when we act upon God's Word despite uncertainty, opposition, or fear.

a. Faith Takes the Next Step (Proverbs 3:5-6) — Trusting God means allowing Him to direct our paths instead of depending entirely on our own understanding.

b. Faith Produces Obedience (Hebrews 11:8) — Abraham obeyed God even when he did not know all the details of his destination.

c. Faith Confronts Impossible Situations (Matthew 17:20) — Faith in God enables us to face situations that appear impossible to human strength.

d. Faith Refuses to Retreat (Hebrews 10:38-39) — Those who belong to God are called to live by faith rather than draw back in unbelief.

Biblical Example: Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water at Jesus' command, demonstrating that faith can move us beyond the limitations of natural reasoning (Matthew 14:28-29).

6. FAITH SEES POSSIBILITY WHERE SIGHT SEES IMPOSSIBILITY

Sight can tell you what is happening, but faith reminds you of what God can do. Faith does not magnify the problem; it magnifies God.

a. God Can Do the Impossible (Luke 1:37) — What is impossible with men is possible with God.

b. Faith Looks to God's Power (Jeremiah 32:27) — God is the God of all flesh, and nothing is too difficult for Him.

c. Faith Expects God's Intervention (Mark 9:23) — Believing opens our hearts to what God is able to accomplish.

d. Faith Changes Our Confession (2 Corinthians 4:13) — We speak according to what we believe, trusting God's Word even before we see the result.

Biblical Example: David looked at Goliath and saw an uncircumcised Philistine defying God, while others saw an unbeatable giant. David trusted God and confronted him in faith (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

7. WALKING BY FAITH MEANS LIVING FOR GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE

Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 5:7 follows his teaching about eternal realities. Faith enables us to live with eternity in view rather than being controlled by temporary circumstances.

a. Look Beyond What Is Temporary (2 Corinthians 4:18) — Visible things are temporary, but the things God has prepared are eternal.

b. Set Your Mind on Eternal Things (Colossians 3:1-4) — Our hearts must be directed towards the things above.

c. Live to Please God (Hebrews 11:6) — Faith is essential to a life that pleases God.

d. Keep Your Eyes on the Eternal Reward (Hebrews 12:1-2) — We can endure present challenges when our eyes remain fixed upon Christ and the eternal purpose of God.

Biblical Example: Moses refused the temporary treasures of Egypt because he valued the greater reward associated with God's purpose (Hebrews 11:24-27).

CONCLUSION

Walking by faith is a daily decision to trust God more than our circumstances. There will be seasons when you cannot see the way forward, when the answer has not yet appeared, and when everything around you seems contrary to God's promise. In those moments, remember that your walk is not determined by sight but by faith.

Do not allow what you see today to cancel what God has spoken concerning your tomorrow. Keep trusting, keep praying, keep obeying, and keep moving forward. The God who called you is faithful. What you cannot see today, God is able to bring to manifestation at His appointed time. Walk by faith, not by sight.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me unwavering faith to trust You even when I cannot see the way forward, in Jesus name.

2. Father, deliver me from fear, doubt, and unbelief that may arise from my circumstances, in Jesus name.

3. Lord, help me to trust Your Word above every contrary report, in Jesus name.

4. Father, strengthen my faith to wait patiently for Your appointed time, in Jesus name.

5. Lord, give me courage to obey You even when I do not know the complete outcome, in Jesus name.

6. Father, let every impossible situation before me become an opportunity for Your power to be manifested, in Jesus name.

7. Lord, help me to see beyond my present circumstances and hold firmly to Your promises, in Jesus name.

8. Father, restore every area of my life where discouragement has weakened my faith, in Jesus name.

9. Lord, let my faith produce obedience, perseverance, and spiritual victory, in Jesus name.

10. Father, help me to finish my Christian journey faithfully, walking by faith and not by sight, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall walk in faith and you shall not be controlled by fear.

2. You shall not be defeated by what you see around you.

3. Every contrary circumstance shall bow to the power of God's Word concerning your life.

4. You shall receive strength to wait for God's appointed time.

5. You shall not miss God's direction because of confusion or uncertainty.

6. Every impossible situation before you shall become a testimony of God's power.

7. Your faith shall not fail in the day of adversity.

8. You shall see the fulfilment of God's promises concerning your life.

9. You shall walk in obedience, courage, and confidence in God.

10. You shall finish well, finish strong, and fulfil God's eternal purpose for your life.