The Growth of FaithSample

THE PLACEBO FAITH

In a movie on television, a doctor was arrested because he had given a placebo drug to his patient. Placebos are fake drugs — they look like real drugs but have absolutely no ability to cure disease. Placebos are used in medical trials to determine the effect of new treatments. The investigators will assess the change between the original and the sham treatment — the “placebo”.

It is very sad to know that some people have placebo faith. They claim that their faith is genuine, but their "faith" has not changed their lives. James speaks about this kind of faith. This is not the faith that is taught by the New Testament. This is a false faith – a placebo. The placebo will fool us into thinking that we feel better and healthier. However, that change only occurs in the mind. Even though thinking that we are better off will make us better temporarily, it will kill us in the long run. For someone with an infection who needs antibiotics, taking a placebo will only provide him temporary relief - the infection will still occur and threaten his life. 

Each of us is spiritually infected because of sin. We are born in sin and we sin by choice. Without spiritual healing, we will die spiritually forever. There is only one cure for the sin in our souls. The medicine is our faith in Lord Jesus Christ who has died for us. There is no other medicine. Believing in a spiritual placebo will not produce a change in life. It could even lead us to death. A person can feel that he is healed, but his life will still end in death. This is the most tragic and deadly deception.

True faith will result in a change of life. It will also progressively lead us to become like Him. Although we will not be perfect until we meet Him face to face, the image of Christ must become increasingly evident in our transformed lives.

Today’s devotional 

1. Has our faith brought changes in this life?

2. Can we be saved by our faith now?

Today’s actions

Make sure that we have true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.