There may not be a more misused word in the English vocabulary than the word "faith". Granted the definition for the word in terms of a worldly point of view places the focus on something other than God as being the object of faith. For example, we may talk about having faith in our brakes as we drive our car down a steep hill or in the justice system as we await a verdict. But we already have a word for those circumstances. It is "confidence". The most common misuse of the word is found in hospital waiting rooms as we express our "faith" that a loved one's physical condition will improve. But there is already a phrase for that. It is "positive thinking". If we use the word "faith" in these life circumstances, then we only succeed in making the word useless. We end up only casting doubt as to its true definition. As believers we reserve the use of the word "faith" for only one thing...only one definition:
Here's the Greek: pistis - commit;entrust
Here's the definition: "Being satisfied that God is all we need in Christ Jesus."
Here's why it is important: It will combat the commonly used "positive energy" definition that waters down the true meaning of this beautiful and profound word of the Christian...well faith.