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Exploring Faith and Spirituality

REFINED BY FAITH

Where do I begin when talking about faith? Scripture defines it as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” To the human mind, practicing faith can feel unreasonable. Some respond as if God is asking too much: “I have free will — I’m not doing that. You’re being insensitive. Who do you think you are?”

This is often the reaction when we are asked to focus on Jesus Christ through the lens of Hebrews 11:1.

I define refined as to improve upon. If you desire to look like Jesus through the eyes of others, you will absolutely need the help of the Holy Spirit. His transforming power assists in the process of faith being refined.

Acts 17:28 (NKJV) In Him we live and move and have our being.

  • As believers, we must place total dependence on God.

  • In every season of life, we are to rely on God.

  • Humanity exists only because of God’s sustaining power.

As Christians, we must move from shallow faith to a deep, intimate love relationship with the Creator of all things. We can start by understanding Acts 17:28 — total dependence on God. The objective of Refined By Faith is to help us withstand the moments when our faith is challenged.

God allows trials in our lives. Some are painful, uncomfortable, nerve‑wracking, mentally draining, and emotionally exhausting. These moments can tempt us to walk away from our faith and distance ourselves from our Maker. Tribulation can cause a person to lose hope altogether.

The metaphor of being refined by fire illustrates how God uses unplanned, unthinkable situations to shape us. It is crucial that our heart posture responds to God with obedience. Difficult seasons are the perfect opportunity to draw closer to the Author of our soul. By trusting God’s Word, we become dependent on Him.

Our character develops as pride, lust, rebellion, self‑dependence, sinful ambition, and hidden idols are burned away in the refining fire. The impurities are removed. We blossom into mature believers who can endure the valley when it shows up at our doorstep unannounced.

I love the illustration in Scripture — 1 Peter 1:7 and Malachi 3:3.

Purification Process of Precious Metals

  • Heat is applied — the metal is placed in the fire so impurities rise.

  • Dross is removed — everything that doesn’t belong is skimmed away.

  • The process repeats — each refining makes the metal purer and stronger.

  • The refiner watches closely — stopping only when he sees his reflection in the metal.

Malachi 3:3 (NKJV) He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver…

1 Peter 1:7 (NKJV) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire…

When we continually communicate with God — praying, reading His Word, and understanding His teaching — our relationship deepens and our trust grows. Transformation is an ongoing process, and the Holy Spirit walks with us daily. This divine refining helps us grow from faith to faith. In a sinful world, non‑believers need to see strong believers.

Make a daily commitment to the One who left heaven, took on flesh, and died on the cross for you and me — because sin required death and blood.

Remember: Have the mindset of Christ, and keep Matthew 9:37–38 close to your heart.

In what area of your life is God using the refining fire to shape your faith into something purer and stronger?