Walk by faith not by sight bible verse

Summary

Walk by faith not by sight bible verse

Walk by faith not by sight bible verse

Beyond the Visible: 65 Bible Verses on Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

 

The command to “walk by faith, not by sight” is perhaps the most defining characteristic of the Christian life. It is the refusal to be governed by optical circumstances and the choice to be governed by eternal promises.

Below is a curated collection of 65 powerful Bible verses focused strictly on trusting the unseen God over the seen reality.

I. The Anchor Verse & Context

 

The foundational scriptures for this concept.

1. 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

2. 2 Corinthians 4:18 – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

3. Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

4. Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

5. Romans 8:24-25 – “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

II. Trusting God’s Wisdom Over Human Perception

 

Verses about leaning on God when things don’t make sense.

6. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

7. Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

8. Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

9. Psalm 37:5 – “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.”

10. Jeremiah 17:7 – “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.”

11. Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

12. Proverbs 20:24 – “A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?”

13. Psalm 20:7 – “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

14. Psalm 118:8 – “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.”

15. Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

III. Believing Without Seeing (The Example of Jesus)

 

New Testament teachings on faith in the unseen Christ.

16. John 20:29 – “Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”

17. 1 Peter 1:8 – “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”

18. John 11:40 – “Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'”

19. Mark 5:36 – “Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.'”

20. Mark 11:22 – “‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered.”

21. Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

22. Matthew 17:20 – “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed… Nothing will be impossible for you.”

23. Matthew 21:22 – “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

24. Luke 1:45 – “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

25. John 6:29 – “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'”

IV. Courage in the Face of the Invisible

 

Walking forward when the path is not clear.

26. Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

27. Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

28. Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”

29. Psalm 27:1 – “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”

30. Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

31. Psalm 112:7 – “They will not fear bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”

32. Exodus 14:13 – “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.'”

33. Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will not leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

34. 2 Chronicles 20:20 – “Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld.”

35. Psalm 46:10 – “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.'”

V. The Reward of Walking by Faith

 

Scriptures confirming that God honors those who rely on Him.

36. Galatians 3:11 – “Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because ‘the righteous will live by faith.'”

37. Romans 1:17 – “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.'”

38. Romans 4:20-21 – “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

39. Hebrews 10:38 – “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

40. Galatians 2:20 – “The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

41. Ephesians 3:17 – “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

42. 1 John 5:4 – “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

43. James 1:6 – “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

44. Psalm 37:3 – “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”

45. Psalm 125:1 – “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”

VI. Old Testament Examples of Walking by Faith

 

Stories of those who walked before us.

46. Genesis 12:1 – “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'”

47. Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

48. Exodus 14:15 – “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.'”

49. Hebrews 11:8 – “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

50. Hebrews 11:7 – “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”

51. Hebrews 11:27 – “By faith he [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.”

52. Hebrews 11:30 – “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.”

53. Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”

54. Psalm 27:13 – “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

55. Habakkuk 2:4 – “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.”

VII. Endurance and the Unseen Eternal

 

Keeping our eyes on the ultimate prize.

56. Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

57. Philippians 3:14 – “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

58. 1 Corinthians 2:9 – “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

59. 1 Corinthians 13:12 – “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.”

60. Ephesians 1:18 – “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.”

61. Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

62. 2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

63. Revelation 2:10 – “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”

64. Psalm 73:26 – “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

65. Isaiah 30:21 – “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”

25 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Walking by Faith

 

Q1: Where is the verse “Walk by faith, not by sight” found? A: It is found in 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV/ESV). It is often quoted as “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Q2: What does it mean to walk by faith and not by sight? A: It means living your life based on God’s eternal promises and truth rather than relying solely on physical circumstances, feelings, or what you can see with your natural eyes.

Q3: Is “blind faith” the same as walking by faith? A: No. Biblical faith is not blind; it is based on the evidence of God’s character and His past faithfulness. It is trusting in a proven God, even when the immediate future is unclear.

Q4: How can I trust God when I can’t see the outcome? A: By mediating on verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 and remembering that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8). Faith focuses on the Who (God) rather than the How.

Q5: What is the difference between faith and sight? A: Sight relies on the tangible, the present, and human logic. Faith relies on the spiritual, the future hope, and divine revelation. Sight says “I’ll believe it when I see it”; Faith says “I’ll see it because I believe it.”

Q6: Who is the best example of walking by faith in the Bible? A: Abraham is often called the Father of Faith because he left his home for an unknown land solely on God’s command (Hebrews 11:8).

Q7: How do I stop worrying and start walking by faith? A: Replace worry with prayer and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7). Worry is focusing on the problem; faith is focusing on the Problem Solver.

Q8: Does walking by faith mean I shouldn’t make plans? A: No. The Bible encourages planning (Proverbs 21:5), but walking by faith means submitting those plans to God and being willing to change direction if He leads (Proverbs 16:9).

Q9: Why is it impossible to please God without faith? A: Hebrews 11:6 says this because faith is the only way we can relate to an invisible God. If we don’t trust Him, we cannot have a relationship with Him.

Q10: Can I walk by faith if I have doubts? A: Yes. Faith is not the absence of doubt; it is obedience in spite of doubt. The father in Mark 9:24 prayed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Q11: What are the benefits of walking by faith? A: Benefits include spiritual peace (Isaiah 26:3), pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6), overcoming the world (1 John 5:4), and ultimately, eternal reward.

Q12: How do I make a decision by faith? A: Pray for wisdom (James 1:5), consult Scripture (Psalm 119:105), seek godly counsel, and then step forward trusting God to open or close doors.

Q13: What does Jesus say about faith vs. sight? A: To Thomas, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Q14: Is faith a feeling? A: No, faith is a conviction and an action. You can feel afraid and still choose to walk by faith by obeying God.

Q15: How can I increase my faith? A: Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Read the Bible daily.

Q16: What does it mean to “fix our eyes on what is unseen”? A: From 2 Corinthians 4:18, it means prioritizing eternal values (salvation, love, holiness) over temporary things (money, status, comfort).

Q17: Can faith change my circumstances? A: Yes, Jesus said faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). However, sometimes faith changes us to endure the circumstance rather than changing the circumstance itself.

Q18: What happens when I walk by sight instead of faith? A: Walking by sight often leads to fear, anxiety, bad decisions based on appearances (like Lot choosing Sodom), and spiritual stagnation.

Q19: Is walking by faith risky? A: From a human perspective, yes. It often involves risk, sacrifice, and stepping into the unknown (like Peter walking on water). But spiritually, it is the safest place to be.

Q20: How do I teach my children to walk by faith? A: Share stories of how God has provided for you in the past. Teach them to pray about small things and watch for God’s answers.

Q21: Does “walking by faith” mean ignoring reality? A: No. Faith acknowledges the reality of the problem (e.g., “The giant is big”) but acknowledges the greater reality of God (e.g., “God is bigger”). See David and Goliath.

Q22: What is the “shield of faith”? A: In Ephesians 6:16, it is the spiritual defense that extinguishes the “flaming arrows” of the evil one (doubts, lies, and fears).

Q23: Can I walk by faith alone? A: While faith is personal, we are called to walk in community. We need others to encourage our faith (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Q24: What does 2 Corinthians 5:7 mean in context? A: Paul is talking about our heavenly dwelling. Even though we are currently in earthly bodies and groan with burdens, we live confidently knowing we have an eternal home with God, even though we can’t see it yet.

Q25: How do I know if I am walking by faith? A: You are walking by faith if your decisions are based on God’s Word rather than fear, if you have peace amidst chaos, and if you are obeying God even when it doesn’t make logical sense to the world.