The simplest definition of faith is to trust in someone or something.
The biblical faith definition is believing and trusting in God based on good evidence but without total proof.
Faith looks like believing that God is good and working on your behalf, even when you can’t see him.
Faith Definition: What Does It Mean?
The simplest definition of faith is to trust in. In fact, Merriam-Webster defines faith as “a strong belief or trust in someone or something.”
Faith is something all of us exhibit each day, in both the small moments and the big. For example, you might have faith that when it’s your turn to go at the stop sign, the other drivers will stay put. Or, you might have faith that your best friend will show up to support you.
When you place faith in something, you place your trust in it. Let’s break the faith definition down even further by looking to God’s Word.
Faith in the Bible
The biblical definition of faith goes deeper. Biblically, faith is understood as belief and trust in God, grounded in good evidence but without total proof. To have faith, we must trust that God is there and working on our behalf, even though we can’t see him.
In fact, the word “faith” comes from the Latin word “fidere,” which means “to trust.” “Faith” appears in the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible around 458 times. Many verses use the word to describe trust in God, even when he can’t be seen.
All Scripture is written in NIV.
2 Corinthians 5:7: For we live by faith, not by sight.
Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Romans 10:17: Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:4–5: My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.
What Does It Look Like to Be Faithful?
To be faithful, we must turn our trust in God into action. James 2:26 says, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
Here James highlights the connection between faith and action. Good works don't provide salvation, but they show evidence of it. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we allow him to shape our behavior and our actions.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we exhibit fruit through our actions. And that fruit? It's proof of our faith.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22–23
So, what does having faith look like? It looks like having trust in God and his Word and acting upon it. It looks like loving others as Jesus loves them. It looks like having joy amidst dark circumstances. It looks like using self-control even when anger strikes.
Faith vs. Hope
Having faith and hope are similar but different. In many ways, faith is present-focused. It's a current, unwavering trust in God. But hope is future-focused and means to anticipate something.
For example, the ultimate hope of Christians is that Jesus will one day return to us and will make all things new. We anticipate his return.
As Christians, hope should naturally arise from our faith. Because of our faith, our current trust in God, we can have assurance or hope for the future. When we trust in God, we're sure that he'll fulfill his promises to us.
Faith vs. Belief
Although intertwined, belief and faith are not the same. Belief is simply acknowledging that something is true. In contrast, faith is believing, trusting and acting as if something is true.
James 2:19 says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder."
Firm belief must be paired with trust and action to have value. For example, what good is believing it will rain and not bringing an umbrella? As Christians, the same question can be asked about our faith: What good is believing in God if you don't love him and follow his commandments?
It isn't our belief in God that makes us Christians. Even demons believe in God. Instead, it's placing full trust and confidence in Jesus and taking action to follow in his footsteps.
Biblical & Living Examples of Faith
For Christians, having faith means having trust in God. It means following his Word and giving our lives to him, fully trusting him to lead us. And there are examples of what true faith looks like all around us.
Abraham’s Example of Faith
In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. God wasn’t looking for a child sacrifice. But before Abraham could become the Jewish patriarch, he needed to show that he was obedient.
Although Abraham loved his son, he had complete confidence in God and the plan God had for his family. So, Abraham took Isaac up a mountain to sacrifice him, just as God asked him to.
However, God sent an angel to spare Isaac's life. And to reward Abraham, God made his descendants as “numerous as the stars in the sky” (Genesis 22:17).
This is what having faith in God means: putting our complete trust in God, aligning our actions with God's commandments and his plan for our lives. And we can trust that his plan is better than ours could ever be.
Otniel’s Family’s Faith Despite a Dark Diagnosis
When Otniel from Peru was 3 years old, he received a medical checkup at his local Compassion center. It was here that his mother, Julissa, learned that something was off with little Otniel’s heart.
After an examination by a cardiologist, it was discovered that Otniel’s aorta was narrowed severely, causing his oxygen to drop and blood pressure to run way too low. He needed heart surgery and quickly.
Otniel would have to travel for his surgery. But living in poverty, the extra expenses like plane tickets and lodging for Otniel’s surgery were more than the family could afford. Despite their fear, Julissa and her husband, Odar, trusted in God.
“Amid our doubts and desperation, faith rose within us, and we decided to believe for victory in this situation. Our hope and refuge were found in God alone.” — Julissa
Julissa immediately reached out to Otniel’s Compassion center, who quickly mobilized support. They informed Julissa they would cover the extra expenses Otniel would need, including continued medical care after surgery.
“Through their generosity and faithfulness, we knew God was with us.” — Julissa
On the day of Otniel’s surgery, Julissa and Odar placed Otniel in the only hands they trusted to carry him through: the heavenly Father’s.
“My husband and I knelt before God and prayed: ‘We ask for your help. Guide us. We know you’re sending us here with a purpose, and we’ll not go back home empty-handed. We will see our son again. We believe it. You are with us, and you’ll breathe life into him. We know we’ll be victorious in this great battle. Give our son strength. His life and his heart are in your hands. Amen.’” — Julissa
The surgery was successful, and Otniel was placed in the ICU to rest. Julissa and Odar continued to pray for the recovery of their son, while also sharing their faith with others waiting around them.
“While we waited, the pastor and the church checked on us every day. They prayed for us and encouraged us with Bible verses to stand on. We also took the opportunity to share the gospel with other parents who were at the hospital.” — Julissa
Otniel was released from the hospital a month later. And today, he continues to heal and grow. He loves going to school, coloring and playing with his toy cars.
“Our faith has been strengthened. God’s hand sustained our hearts during this entire process. We’re very grateful and know that even if death stares us in the face, God will be with us and see us through if we trust him and believe.” — Julissa
In the midst of one of life’s darkest moments, Julissa and Odar had faith that God would carry them through. Although they couldn’t see how, they trusted in his faithfulness. His goodness. His power.
This is what faith looks like: trusting God even when you can’t see.
How Does Faith Apply to Compassion’s Work?
Because we're a Christ-centered ministry, Jesus' life, teachings and character shape what we do — how we work, love people, respect communities and cooperate with nations.
We serve in Jesus' name, and because of our faith, we devote ourselves to helping those he loves: children facing the despair of poverty. Every day, millions of children living in poverty experience Jesus’ love through our child sponsorship program.
We partner with local churches in impoverished communities who care for each child’s immediate needs, introduce them to the hope of the gospel and prepare them for a brighter future.
Why Sponsor With Compassion?
The benefits of our sponsorship program are many. Here are a few main reasons to sponsor a child in need through Compassion:
To share the gospel.
To provide protection from harm, abuse and exploitation.
To ensure health and well-being.
To inspire a brighter future.
To break the cycle of poverty.
Faith in Action
More than 70 years ago, our founder, Rev. Everett Swanson, ministered to American troops fighting in the Korean War. And he was increasingly troubled by the orphans he saw living on the streets, abandoned by society.
God calls us to defend the fatherless and the abandoned. So, Swanson didn't turn his back on the suffering and instead vowed to help them. His response was to start Compassion International, a true example of faith in action.
You, too, can put your faith into action by sponsoring a child. By becoming a sponsor, you'll provide the support a vulnerable child needs to be released from poverty in Jesus' name. God is so powerful that it not only touches the children’s lives but the sponsors’ as well.
