C. S. Lewis describes faith in two senses. The first sense is simply belief, the acceptance of Christian doctrines as true based on reason. However, Lewis notes that emotions and imagination can challenge these reasoned beliefs, creating doubt and instability. He uses analogies like the fear of anaesthetics to illustrate how feelings can contradict our rational understanding. Therefore, faith in this first sense becomes the active effort of holding onto what reason has accepted as true, despite changing moods and emotions. Practices like prayer, religious reading, and church attendance are crucial for nurturing this kind of faith and preventing belief from drifting away.

The second, "higher" sense of faith emerges through humility and the attempt to practice Christian virtues. Seriously trying to be good reveals one's own shortcomings and the strength of temptation, shattering the illusion of earning God's favor. Individuals come to realize that everything they possess is ultimately a gift from God, and attempts to give back are like a child giving a father a present bought with the father's own money. This realization marks a turning point where "real life begins," leading to a deeper understanding of faith as a trusting reliance on God beyond intellectual assent. The transactional or "bargain" mentality towards God is dismantled, paving the way for a more authentic relationship based on grace.

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