Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Verse 5 is in two parts, trust and understanding. Verse 6 is in two parts, acknowledgement and straight paths.

We want to be right in our understanding but as imperfect people can we trust in the Lord knowing our understanding is imperfect? We want others to trust us because salvation is at risk and our witness has to be true. It is not that we would ever lie or present a misrepresentation of who Jesus is in our lives. As I have said recently, as long as our understanding that is not perfect does not interfere with our relationship, cause harm to another, or interfere with God’s will, God will not offer up instant correction.

Verse 5 and 6 are linked together for our understanding so that trust can be tied directly to acknowledging Him because doing that will remove obstacles to obedience of faith.

2 Corinthians 5:4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

This tent Paul refers to is our flesh, a temporary dwelling place as was the wilderness tabernacle. This is not our final home.

For now we are two parts, flesh and spirit, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:4)

This is a question that has been pondered over and over again in the bible.

True faith is confirmed by visible evidence and fruit in your life (though salvation is by faith alone, not by these works). The book of 1 John provides key practical tests for assurance:

• Obedience: A genuine desire to follow God’s commands and turn away from habitual sin (1 John 2:3-6).
• Love for believers: Authentic love for other Christians (1 John 3:14).
• Correct belief: Holding the right view of Jesus as the divine Son of God who came in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3, 5:1).
• Holy Spirit’s inner witness: The Spirit’s testimony that you are God’s child, along with growing conviction of sin, comfort, and hunger for holiness (1 John 4:13; Romans 8:15-16).

You won’t be perfect (1 John 1:8-9), but there should be a real changed life, hatred of sin that so easily beset us, and ongoing growth in godliness (2 Corinthians 5:17). These are signs that your faith is authentic.