Walking by Faith is the Christian’s way of living that trusts God’s Word and character rather than relying solely on what can be seen or understood.
Paul writes, “We walk by faith, not by sight.”
It is a steady, ongoing dependence on the Lord that shapes decisions, attitudes, and perseverance when circumstances are unclear or difficult.
This walk is the practical expression of a life rooted in the finished work of Christ and the promises of God.
The Bible often describes the life of God’s people as a walk — continuous, directional, and lived one step at a time. Walking by faith means that the decisive guide for that journey is trust in God rather than the limitations of human sight, feelings, or present evidence. Abraham went out not knowing where he was going, yet he obeyed because he trusted the One who called him. The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 endured, waited, and acted because they were convinced of things not yet seen. For the believer, walking by faith is not a leap into the dark but a step into the light of God’s revealed truth. It does not ignore reality; it interprets reality through the lens of God’s promises and presence. This walk continues from conversion until the day faith becomes sight in the presence of Christ.
- Walking by faith is the opposite of walking by sight — it refuses to let visible circumstances be the final authority.
- Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ; the walk is sustained by ongoing attention to what God has said.
- It involves both trusting God’s promises and obeying His commands even when the outcome is not yet visible.
- Walking by faith does not mean the absence of questions or struggle; it means bringing those struggles under the truth of who God is.
- The same faith that justifies is the faith by which the believer continues to live each day.
- Sight will one day replace faith; until then, the call is to walk steadily by trust in the unseen God who is faithful.
- This walk is possible because of union with Christ and the indwelling power of the Spirit.
- Reliance on the Unseen – Confidence in God’s character and promises rather than in present appearances alone.
- Guidance by the Word – Letting Scripture direct steps instead of impulse, fear, or popular opinion.
- Obedience without Full Sight – Taking the next step of obedience even when the whole path is not clear.
- Perseverance in Trial – Continuing forward when circumstances press hard, because God has spoken.
- Rejection of Self-Reliance – Choosing not to lean solely on personal understanding or resources.
- Hope-Oriented – Looking toward the unseen future God has promised and living in light of it.
- Christ-Centered – The life now lived in the flesh is lived by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
- Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
- Hebrews 11:8 – “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
- Hebrews 11:13, 27 – “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar… By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.”
- Romans 1:17 – “The righteous shall live by faith.”
- Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
- Galatians 3:11 – “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”
- Habakkuk 2:4 – “The righteous shall live by his faith.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
- Colossians 2:6 – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.”
- Romans 8:24-25 – “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
- John 20:29 – “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
- 1 Peter 1:8-9 – “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
- Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Walking by faith is the normal Christian life. It is not a special state for a few heroic believers but the daily path of everyone who trusts in Christ. We do not yet see the full reality of what God has promised, yet we walk forward because we know the One who has promised is faithful. Sight will come when faith becomes sight in His presence. Until then, the call remains: walk by faith, not by sight. Take the next step of obedience. Trust the character of God more than the evidence of the moment. Live by the Word rather than by the fluctuating reports of circumstances. The life you now live in the flesh, live by faith in the Son of God who loved you and gave Himself for you. He is worthy of every step.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.