Biblical Answer

The difference between faith and denial is rooted in the biblical definition of faith. According to the Bible, faith is an unfaltering assurance of the fulfillment of God's promises, even in the face of evidence to the contrary. It is taking God at His word, believing in Him even when everything seen seems against fulfillment. On the other hand, denial is the rejection of God's promises, often due to a lack of trust or reliance on Him. The Bible teaches that faith is not just a feeling or a decision, but a personal relationship with God that involves trusting in His sovereignty and power.

The traditional Christian answer to the question of what distinguishes faith from denial is found in James 2:19, which states that even demons believe and they shudder, but they do not have faith. This is because demons may intellectually acknowledge God's existence and power, but they do not trust or rely on Him. In contrast, true faith involves a personal relationship with God, characterized by trust, reliance, and obedience. The Bible teaches that faith is not just a mental assent to certain facts, but a living, breathing relationship with God that produces works and good deeds.

In summary, the difference between faith and denial lies in the level of trust and reliance on God. Faith involves an unfaltering assurance of God's promises, even in the face of evidence to the contrary, while denial involves a rejection of God's promises due to a lack of trust or reliance on Him. The Bible teaches that faith is a personal relationship with God that involves trusting in His sovereignty and power, and that it produces works and good deeds. In contrast, denial is a rejection of God's promises and involves a lack of trust or reliance on Him.