Question 16 – Isn't faith in God just a crutch for the weak?
It is often said that only the weak believe. Through such statements, an indirect message is conveyed: "We are the strong ones who do not need any God; we can manage our lives on our own, and we do not run away from problems to some imaginary God."
Some arrive at this conclusion after a cursory glance at church pews, perhaps noticing elderly women clinging to their last hope before death. Others may draw this conclusion from personal experience, observing a throng of religious "eccentrics" around them. Still others may simply believe that "scientists have discovered there is no God," and therefore any faith must be an escape from reality—a cowardly attempt to ignore the harsh fact that we are surrounded by a meaningless and hostile universe in which everything will end and there is no hope for anything better. Is there any way to confront this accusation?
I offer you a surprising answer found in the Bible:
"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
It is true that many who belong to God are, from a human standpoint, simple, perhaps uneducated, and sometimes also weak. However, let us also notice the phrase "not many"—this does not mean there is no one who is wise, noble, or powerful. Among believers, across the centuries, there have been very significant figures in world history, science, and culture: from presidents and Nobel Prize laureates to "ordinary" highly educated and influential citizens[9]. This reality significantly blunts the edge of the entire argument. I do not believe that faith in God and following Him is for the weak (in the general sense)—often, it is quite the opposite! Paradoxically, those who mock often turn out to be the weaker ones. Let us illustrate this with a few examples:
Who is weak? The one who...
...is willing to die for their faith, or the one who often cannot even keep their promises? (Every year, tens of thousands of believers die for their faith, often by disgustingly brutal practices)[10][11]
...remains faithful to one partner despite life's problems? Or the one who, under the pressure of their own weakness and bodily desires, changes partners frequently?
...can (with God's help) forgive even very cruel offenses, or the one who, with a bitter heart, shouts, "I will never forgive you!"?
...is able to deny themselves and consider others more important than themselves, or the one who cannot think of anyone but themselves?
...selflessly gives up their entire life to help and serve others, or the one who cannot help anyone without gaining something in return?
...does not steal, or the one who cannot resist temptation and takes something whenever possible?
And so we could continue. My intention is not to criticize those who do not believe in God. There are many believers and non-believers who embody the virtues mentioned above. I simply point out that the notion "practicing Christian = weakling" is a contradiction and mere slander. I do acknowledge, however, that many "paper Christians" (those whose confession is only formal, without real faith) contribute to this myth—those who consider themselves Christians and only turn to faith when they are "in a tight spot," but otherwise faith has no impact on their lives. In their case, yes—for these people, faith is merely like taking a paracetamol when they (metaphorically) have a headache.
But when we speak of a believing Christian, I mean a person who has encountered God, has a relationship with Him, and takes faith seriously. Such a person, in this context, cannot be considered weak. They must fight daily with themselves, with their nature, which is inherently selfish, proud, conceited, etc. When they fall, they must find the strength to apologize, swallow their pride, and continue onward. They must contend with a world filled with many false and anti-God teachings and religions. And not least, they engage in spiritual warfare with a hidden enemy—Satan and his demons.
If a believer takes their faith seriously and lives according to God's will, they often surpass, in their struggles and courage, any skeptic who mocks them.
If anyone is considering dedicating their life to God, they need not fear becoming weak. Instead, they should fear whether they can fulfill the command of the Lord Jesus:
"And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34)
Despite all this, my answer would be incomplete if I did not, in a certain sense, clarify the true meaning of the word weakness in the Christian context. In the fundamental sense, we are all weak. God is God—and what are we? We are merely His fragile creations. No one can live their life exactly as they feel they should (even if they convince themselves otherwise). Therefore, we all need God, who provides us with strength and assists us. For Christians, God is a shield and a firm rock upon whom they can always rely. He is our hope, our help; He is our strength, aiding us in every distress. This is the truth. God Himself has decided thus—He is greater, we are lesser; He is stronger, we are weaker. Therefore, it is entirely natural and logical that God is also a "crutch" for those who believe in Him. He supports them and gives them strength for the daily fight with everything we have already discussed. However, He is not merely an imaginary crutch but a living God. At the same time, in this "weakness," we must be strong and daily battle the world and ourselves.
Summation
Faith that is active and not mere pretense is unlikely to be a convenient crutch to make our lives easier. If we take life with God seriously, we must expect hardships and obstacles, for it is written (2 Timothy 3:12): "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Nevertheless, God gives us the strength to overcome such persecution and is our support (or crutch?).