Faith: Verb or Noun

– Ponderings:

Is your faith a verb or a noun? Having faith is a noun; having a living faith is a verb. The first leans toward the passive; the second, active. Faith may start as a noun, but it shouldn’t stay there. It should move into verb status!

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:16-17; NIV).

We often talk about faith as if it’s a possession, something we have and carry, such as a piece of luggage. When we’re tired of carrying it, we can set it down. When we don’t want it to be seen by others, we can leave it at home. But Paul’s language in Ephesians 6 suggests something more dynamic. He says to take up the shield of faith. It’s not just an object; it’s an action. Faith here isn’t sitting on a shelf, waiting for admiration. It’s being lifted, wielded, and engaged. We use it to protect ourselves.

That makes me wonder: Is my faith a noun—a static thing I claim to possess? Or is it a verb—a living, breathing movement toward God in trust and obedience?

The image Paul gives is not static or passive. Flaming arrows are flying. The battle is real. And faith is meant to be active—absorbing, deflecting, and protecting. Faith moves. It lifts. It stands. It advances with the sword of the Spirit in hand. It’s relentless.

When challenges come, do I reach for my faith like a shield, trusting God’s promises, or do I treat it more like a family heirloom, precious, but untouched on a shelf?

As Wesleyans, we often speak of prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace. Grace that draws us to God, grace that connects us to God and saves us, and grace that moves us to become more like Christ. These three means of grace are always moving within us to keep us connected to God, the power source for our faith. Grace calls us to respond, and faith responds. It walks. It risks. It believes when it can’t see. Faith, if it is lived, is a verb.

So today, ask yourself: Is my faith something I do, or just something I have?

Pick up the shield. Put on the helmet. Grip the sword. Faith acts. Faith moves. Faith fights. Faith lives.

Prayer: Lord, awaken my faith. Don’t let it grow stale. Teach me to take it up—to trust you with every step, to move when you say move, and to believe even when I can’t see. Make my faith more than words; make it action. I want to follow you, not just admire you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.