FAITH AS THE SIXTH SENSE (1)

“For we walk by FAITH, not by sight” – 2 Corinthians 5:7

God’s Word gives credence to the reality of FAITH as the SIXTH SENSE: “For we walk by FAITH, not by sight” (2Cor.5:7). Humans are blessed with five remarkable senses that allow us to perceive and make sense of the world. Reality is defined by what we see, hear, touch, taste and smell. The physical senses provide evidence by which we make both simple and complex decisions. For example, touch feels the heat of fire, so we don’t pick it up, but can harness its warmth. Sight gives the sign a vehicle is approaching, so we don’t step into the road. Taste attests that a plate of soup is spicy. Our senses give evidence to the material realities around.

We experience the physical world through our five senses. They make us aware that the world is real. Faith evidences the spiritual! Faith is the spiritual equivalent to all five of our physical senses. Faith is what enables us to experience the spiritual world that we cannot see. Atheists claim that God is not real because they say there is no evidence. They are simply not exercising the measure of Faith that God has given to all. Just as a person with no physical senses cannot experience the physical world, non-believers cannot experience God! Faith is the Sixth Sense that gives us assurance of what our five senses cannot capture.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence or proof of things we cannot see (Heb.11:1). There are two kinds of things: (1) material, physical, visible, tangible things; and (2) immaterial, spiritual, invisible, intangible things! Faith is the Believer’s spiritual sense that enables us to remain at rest even when life doesn’t seem to make sense naturally. Faith connects with the supernatural. Faith is the Vision of the Invisible! Walking by Sight responds to evidences of the physical senses; making decisions by the dictates of feelings and circumstances. Walking by Faith is responding to Word-based evidences beyond the physical realm.

“God is Spirit...” (Jh.4:24a). Faith is the spirit sense by which we connect with God’s supernatural, Divine Realms. God doesn’t typically hide from us or play games with us. He delights in revealing His Presence, even though our five senses do not tell us about Him. Faith is the faculty of the human spirit through which we see, hear, touch, taste and smell God and His spiritual realities.

We see God by Faith: “Now FAITH is the substance of THINGS hoped for, the evidence of THINGS not see” (Heb.11:1). That is, Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence or proof of things we cannot see. We walk by Faith, not by sight!

We hear God by Faith: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jh.10:27). Romans 10:17 says, “So then Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God” (Rom.10:17).

We touch God by Faith: “When she heard about Jesus she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she SAID, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well” (Mk.5: 27-28). These were the words of the woman with the issue of blood. Matthew 17:7 records as follows: “But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”

We smell God by Faith: “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2Cor.2:14).

We taste God by Faith: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psa.34:8). Psalm 119:103 says, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Just as our physical senses develop as we exercise and use them, so does Faith. We must not neglect our Spiritual Sixth Sense, but put it to constant exercise and use. We’re not only to Walk by Faith, but to Live by Faith (Hab.2:4; Heb.10:38).