Determination vs. Faith — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 2, 2024
Determination is the firmness of purpose and the resolve to achieve a goal, relying on one's efforts and abilities, while faith is trust or confidence in someone or something, often without empirical evidence.
Difference Between Determination and Faith
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Determination is characterized by a strong will and commitment towards achieving specific objectives, often through personal effort and resilience. It involves a conscious decision to pursue a goal, despite obstacles. On the other hand, faith is primarily based on belief and confidence in the unseen or unknown, not necessarily requiring proof or tangible success to sustain it. This belief can be in a higher power, in oneself, or in the inherent goodness of others.
While determination is driven by an individual's internal motivation and self-discipline, focusing on tangible achievements and measurable progress, faith leans more towards an emotional and spiritual assurance. Faith offers comfort and guidance in the face of uncertainty, whereas determination provides a roadmap for action and goal attainment.
Determination and faith can complement each other, with determination acting as the engine propelling one towards a goal, and faith serving as the fuel that keeps the engine running, especially when outcomes are uncertain or when facing significant challenges. While determination is about the 'how' of achieving goals, faith concerns the 'why' and the belief in the possibility of achieving these goals, regardless of the current evidence.
The journey toward a goal often requires both determination and faith. Determination pushes individuals through the practical steps needed for achievement, like hard work and perseverance, while faith can help overcome doubts and fears by instilling a sense of hope and trust in the process or in a higher power.
Determination and faith tackle different aspects of human experience and motivation. Determination is grounded in the physical world of action and results, aiming for specific outcomes through persistence. In contrast, faith dwells in the realm of belief and trust, often beyond the immediate grasp of rationality, offering support and confidence in the face of life's unpredictabilities.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Willpower and effort.
Belief and trust, often without empirical evidence.
Focus
Achieving specific goals.
Trusting in or believing in something or someone.
Role of Evidence
Relies on tangible achievements and progress.
Does not require proof or evidence.
Source
Internal motivation and self-discipline.
Emotional, spiritual, or doctrinal assurance.
Outcome
Measurable success and goal attainment.
Comfort, guidance, and hope in uncertainty.
Compare with Definitions
Determination
The firmness of purpose towards a goal.
Her determination to finish the marathon was inspiring.
Faith
A particular religion or belief system.
The interfaith conference brought together leaders of various faiths.
Determination
The resolve to achieve success despite difficulties.
His determination was evident in his rigorous study schedule.
Faith
Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
Her faith in her team's abilities was unwavering.
Determination
The act of deciding definitely and firmly on a course of action.
The team's determination to win saw them through many tough matches.
Faith
Strong belief in the doctrines of a religion.
His faith guided him during tough times.
Determination
A quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something.
Through sheer determination, he overcame his injuries to play again.
Faith
Trusting in something's value or reliability.
His faith in democracy was restored after the peaceful elections.
Determination
Persistence in pursuing goals despite obstacles.
Determination led her to start her business, despite initial failures.
Faith
Belief without evidence.
She had faith that things would work out in the end.
Determination
Determination is a positive emotional feeling that involves persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles. Determination occurs prior to goal attainment and serves to motivate behavior that will help achieve one's goal.
Faith
Faith, derived from Latin fides and Old French feid, is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept. In the context of religion, one can define faith as "belief in a god or in the doctrines or teachings of religion".
Determination
The quality of being determined; firmness of purpose
Those who succeed because of sheer grit and determination
Faith
Belief in God or in a set of religious doctrines.
Determination
The process of establishing something exactly by calculation or research
Determination of molecular structures
Faith
A set of religious doctrines; a body of dogma
Adhered to the Muslim faith.
Determination
The cessation of an estate or interest.
Faith
Often Faith(Christianity)Secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will viewed as a theological virtue.
Determination
A tendency to move in a fixed direction.
Faith
Confident or unquestioning belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
Determination
Firmness of purpose; resolve
Approached the task with determination.
Faith
Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance
Keeping faith with one's supporters.
Refused to break faith with his friends.
Determination
A fixed intention or resolution
Returned to school with a determination to finish.
Faith
A trust or confidence in the intentions or abilities of a person, object, or ideal from prior empirical evidence.
The faithfulness of Old Faithful gives us faith in it.
I have faith in the goodness of my fellow man.
You need to have faith in yourself, that you can overcome your shortcomings and become a good person.
Determination
The ascertaining or fixing of the quantity, quality, position, or character of something
A determination of the ship's longitude.
A determination of the universe's mass.
Faith
A conviction about abstractions, ideas, or beliefs, without empirical evidence, experience, or observation.
I have faith that my prayers will be answered.
I have faith in the healing power of crystals.
Determination
The result of such ascertaining.
Faith
A religious or spiritual belief system.
The Christian faith.
We seek justice for the Indo-European Folk Faith; what's wrong in our literature for that?
Determination
The act of making or arriving at a decision
After long determination, she decided to move to Utah.
Faith
An obligation of loyalty or fidelity and the observance of such an obligation.
He acted in good faith to restore broken diplomatic ties after defeating the incumbent.
Determination
The decision reached
It is my determination to sell the house.
Faith
(obsolete) Credibility or truth.
Determination
The settling of a question or case by an authoritative decision or pronouncement, especially by a judicial body
The choice of a foster home was left to the determination of the court.
Faith
(archaic) really, truly
Determination
The decision or pronouncement made.
Faith
Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting solely and implicitly on his authority and veracity; reliance on testimony.
Determination
The bringing about of a result or outcome
The determination of hair color by the genes.
Faith
The assent of the mind to the statement or proposition of another, on the ground of the manifest truth of what he utters; firm and earnest belief, on probable evidence of any kind, especially in regard to important moral truth.
Faith, that is, fidelity, - the fealty of the finite will and understanding to the reason.
Determination
(Archaic) A fixed movement or tendency toward an object or end.
Faith
The belief in the historic truthfulness of the Scripture narrative, and the supernatural origin of its teachings, sometimes called historical and speculative faith.
Without faith it is impossible to please him [God].
The faith of the gospel is that emotion of the mind which is called "trust" or "confidence" exercised toward the moral character of God, and particularly of the Savior.
Faith is an affectionate, practical confidence in the testimony of God.
Determination
The defining of a concept through its constituent elements.
Faith
That which is believed on any subject, whether in science, politics, or religion; especially (Theol.), a system of religious belief of any kind; as, the Jewish or Mohammedan faith; the Christian faith; also, the creed or belief of a Christian society or church.
Which to believe of her,Must be a faith that reason without miracleCould never plant in me.
Now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Determination
The qualification of a concept or proposition to render it more definite or specific.
Faith
Fidelity to one's promises, or allegiance to duty, or to a person honored and beloved; loyalty.
Children in whom is no faith.
Whose failing, while her faith to me remains,I should conceal.
Determination
The act of determining, or the state of being determined.
Through sheer determination, we managed to escape from the tornado.
Faith
Word or honor pledged; promise given; fidelity; as, he violated his faith.
For you aloneI broke me faith with injured Palamon.
Determination
Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion.
Faith
Credibility or truth.
The faith of the foregoing narrative.
Determination
The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness.
Faith
By my faith; in truth; verily.
Determination
(countable) The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy.
Faith
A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny;
He lost his faith but not his morality
Determination
(countable) That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution.
Faith
Complete confidence in a person or plan etc;
He cherished the faith of a good woman
The doctor-patient relationship is based on trust
Determination
(countable) The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensity, etc.
The determination of the wavelength of light
The determination of the level of salt in sea water
The determination of the oxygen in the air
Faith
Institution to express belief in a divine power;
He was raised in the Baptist religion
A member of his own faith contradicted him
Determination
The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents.
Faith
Loyalty or allegiance to a cause or a person;
Keep the faith
They broke faith with their investors
Determination
The addition of a distinguishing feature to a concept or notion, thus limiting its extent.
Determination
The act of determining the relations of an object, such as genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which they belong; classification
I am indebted to a friend for the determination of most of these shells.
Determination
Bringing to an end; termination; limit.
Determination
The act of determining, or the state of being determined.
Determination
Bringing to an end; termination; limit.
A speedy determination of that war.
Determination
Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion.
Remissness can by no means consist with a constant determination of the will . . . to the greatest apparent good.
Determination
The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness.
He only is a well-made man who has a good determination.
Determination
The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy.
Determination
The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensity, etc.; as, the determination of the ohm or of the wave length of light; the determination of the salt in sea water, or the oxygen in the air.
Determination
The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents.
Determination
The act of determining the relations of an object, as regards genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which they belong; classification; as, I am indebted to a friend for the determination of most of these shells.
Determination
The act of determining the properties of something
Determination
The quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
His determination showed in his every movement
He is a man of purpose
Determination
A position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration;
A decision unfavorable to the opposition
His conclusion took the evidence into account
Satisfied with the panel's determination
Determination
The act of making up your mind about something;
The burden of decision was his
He drew his conclusions quickly
Common Curiosities
What is faith?
Faith is belief and trust in someone or something, often without requiring proof or evidence.
Can determination and faith coexist in achieving goals?
Yes, determination and faith can complement each other; determination provides the action plan, while faith offers emotional and spiritual support.
How do determination and faith differ in their approach to goals?
Determination focuses on actionable steps and perseverance, while faith is rooted in belief and trust in outcomes, often beyond our control.
Is determination always successful?
Not always; despite determination, external factors and unforeseen challenges can affect outcomes. However, it significantly increases the chances of success.
Does faith require religious belief?
While often associated with religious belief, faith can also refer to trust or confidence in concepts, people, or oneself without religious connotations.
Is determination a learned trait or innate?
Determination can be both innate and developed through experiences and challenges that build resilience and focus.
How does determination affect personal growth?
Determination drives personal growth by encouraging persistence, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence despite challenges.
What is determination?
Determination is the resolve and steadfast effort towards achieving a specific goal or outcome.
How can faith impact one’s outlook on life?
Faith can positively impact one’s outlook by providing hope, comfort, and a sense of purpose, especially during difficult times.
What role does determination play in overcoming obstacles?
Determination is crucial in overcoming obstacles, providing the tenacity and persistence required to push through challenges.
How do determination and faith influence each other?
Determination can be strengthened by faith in the purpose or goal, while faith can be reinforced by the determination to believe despite challenges.
Can faith be rational?
Faith can coexist with rationality, as it often fills the gaps in human understanding and offers comfort in the unknown, though it doesn't always follow empirical evidence.
How does faith contribute to community and relationships?
Faith can strengthen community and relationships by fostering shared beliefs, values, and mutual support.
What can diminish one’s determination?
Continuous setbacks, lack of support, and loss of motivation can diminish determination.
Can faith be questioned or doubted?
Yes, faith can be questioned or doubted; such processes are often part of personal or spiritual growth and understanding.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
