The phrase "walk by faith, not by sight" is a common saying among Christians, but what does it actually mean? Our faith is reasonable, but there are aspects of the gospel we accept on faith and are unable to see. What are these invisible things? And what is the walk of faith?
The phrase comes from 2 Corinthians 5:7, which says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." This means that Christians should not rely on their own understanding or experiences to guide them in life. Instead, they should trust in God's promises and guidance.
"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." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Closely related to the quote by Apostle Paul is when Jesus stated, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Faith, according to the Bible, is so much more than just belief. It’s that deep, unshakable trust in God’s promises—a confidence that He is who He says He is and will do what He’s promised, even when we can’t see the outcome. The Greek word for faith, pistis, speaks to this active, loyal trust that involves our whole being: our mind, heart, and actions. So, to walk by faith is to live with that trust at the core of our lives, letting it guide every choice, every step, and every hope, especially when things seem unclear.
When we’re walking by faith, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, we’re not relying on what’s visible or predictable. Instead, we’re choosing to live by what we know of God’s character. Walking by faith means moving forward based on our confidence in God, even when life doesn’t give us immediate answers or easy paths. It’s an invitation to align our lives with God’s promises and lean on His wisdom, putting His guidance above any fear or doubt we might have.
This kind of faith-walk isn’t passive—it’s active, intentional, and sometimes bold. It takes courage to trust God’s timing when we want answers now. It takes strength to lean on Him when life feels shaky. And it takes surrender to let God lead, believing that He truly knows what’s best. Walking by faith means living each day with the assurance that God is with us, that He’s guiding every step we take, and that, ultimately, He’s working all things for our good. It’s a journey of trust that transforms our lives from the inside out.
There are several reasons why it is important for Christians to walk by faith, not by sight.
First, our senses can deceive us. We often see and hear things that are not really there, and we can misinterpret what we do see and hear.
Second, our experiences can be misleading. We may have had negative experiences in the past that make us doubt God's goodness or power.
Third, the world is full of distractions and temptations that can lead us astray. If we rely on our own understanding, we may easily be led astray.
There are many examples of people in the Bible who walked by faith, not by sight. Here are a few:
Abraham: Abraham was willing to leave everything he knew and go to a land that God promised him, even though he didn't know where it was or what he would find there. (Genesis 12:1-4)
Moses: Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, even though he faced many obstacles and challenges along the way. (Exodus 3-14)
David: David was a young shepherd boy who defeated the giant Goliath, even though he was outnumbered and outmatched. (1 Samuel 17)
Paul had led the church of Corinth to faith with the assistance of mature believers in Christ, but when Paul was gone, the church was easily swayed by outsiders who opposed his teaching. In Paul’s absence, they fell apart, and it was easy for opponents to convince the church that his suffering was a sign that Paul’s faith was actually folly. If Christ has really come to save sinners, how could the apostle’s life be so horrendous?
To Paul’s mind, his way of life represented faith. How else could someone suffer so much, if not for the reasonable expectation of eternal gain? The Corinthian church was struggling, and Paul’s letter suggests a big part of the problem was trusting the Holy Spirit to work in their lives and trusting in the promise of Heaven. Faith is trust.
Paul is confident: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God” (v.1). That building is the individual body, the church body, and a real Kingdom, invisible to us for now. “We know,” says Paul; not “we believe,” or “we imagine.”
The original Greek uses “eidó,” which means “be aware, behold, consider, perceive.” “Knowing” in this sense combines knowledge with an intelligent perception of an idea, which cannot be physically represented — yet.
Paul based his belief in eternal life on sound, objective evidence as well as his subjective, personal experience of Christ. His suffering could have become a distraction from this truth — it certainly was for the Corinthians. To Paul, his immediate suffering was supposed to demonstrate his deep trust in what could not be seen and provide a reason to hope.
Christians “look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
As believers, to some extent, we already see more than those who choose to turn their faces from God. We have an “unveiled face,” although we only see “in a mirror dimly” for now, it is by faith we believe we will one day see Christ “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Meanwhile, we have the Holy Spirit. Here is one aspect of the Christian life we cannot lay hands on and inspect up close.
There are ways to detect the Spirit in us; evidence of “fruit.” Galatians 5:22-23 describes this fruit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” When one has grown in any of these ways, the Holy Spirit is responsible, and we are invited to recognize this gift living inside of us and in others.
The Spirit is not a virus or an implant; it cannot be scrutinized with the naked eye or under a microscope. Everyone holds a belief in something, and Paul says we can be confident.
That is the word used in the NIV and KJV for “courage” so “we are always of good courage” (2 Corinthians 5:6, ESV) is a statement of certainty. Faith is not blind; it merely sees in other ways.
We all place our faith in something, but as Christians, we are called to put our faith fully in God and His promises, rather than relying only on what we can see or hear around us. As Bill Combs wrote, “The Christian must always seek to live by faith and trust in God,” rather than being guided by fear or present circumstances. The apostle Paul emphasizes this to the church in Corinth, affirming that all believers are called to live by faith.
Living by faith means standing strong in our trust in God, even when external pressures try to shake us. The Corinthians initially had a firm faith, especially with mature believers like Priscilla and Aquila supporting them (Acts 18:18). But over time, they struggled with divisions, allowing rivalries and factions to weaken their unity. Faith that overcomes fear requires a strong foundation in God’s truth, not just when we have spiritual leaders close by but also in our daily lives and decisions.
Paul encourages believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” (Ephesians 4:1), urging us to live out our faith actively. This walk isn’t just about belief—it’s a lifestyle that shows our commitment to God. Our faith in God should set us apart, reflecting His love and grace in our actions and relationships. When we choose faith over fear, our love for God flows out naturally to those around us, making a real difference in their lives and ours.
Walking, or living, by faith, is also about our relationship with Christ Jesus calls us “friend,” and we are called to live our lives close to him, confident and worshipful. This is personal and real — other people cannot fill in for Jesus, whether pastors or mentors. Such individuals promote growth, but they are not the vine. Only Jesus is the vine (John 15).
So how can Christians apply the phrase "walk by faith, not by sight" in their daily lives? Here are a few suggestions:
Will we see Jesus when we die? Paul says it himself: We see dimly today, but the mist will lift one day revealing his face. The veil between God and man was torn when Jesus died on the cross.
So, while we cannot fully see him right now “this does not mean that we are cut off from fellowship with the Lord.” Living by faith, explains Bill Combs, is “no hindrance to communion with our Savior.”
For further reading:
Walk by Faith: A Misused Verse?
What Does it Mean to Have Faith in Jesus?
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