THE PRINCIPLES OF FAITH

Lesson 4

How To Activate Your Faith

James 2:17, 20, and 26 teach us that “faith without works is dead.” Faith must have some action to it. Faith is not something to be sat upon and collected. Faith must act. In this lesson, we will examine Bible ways to act on and activate our faith.

FAITH THROUGH SPEAKING

The easiest way to activate and release faith is through speaking. The spirit of faith believes, therefore it speaks (2 Corinthians 4:13). Speaking faith is the easiest way to act on faith.

God spoke creation into existence (Genesis 1 and 2).
Abraham trusted God and said so. “I and the lad will return again” (Genesis 22:5).
The Israelites and the 10 spies did not have faith in God and their mouths said so, but Joshua and Caleb believed God and they declared so (Numbers 13:26-33).
The three Hebrew boys declared their faith to Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Daniel 3:17).
The good fight of faith requires you to confess a good confession before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12).
Hebrews exhorts us to hold fast our profession of faith (Hebrews 4:14, 10:23).
The heroes of faith died in faith “confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13b).

Faith is activated and released the moment you open your mouth.

FAITH THROUGH OBEDIENCE

Faith also obeys God. Faith honors God by obeying His will and Word. When God gives a direct order, whether through the Bible, the Holy Spirit, or the preaching of the Word, faith will obey it. Faith is a doer. You’ll obey what you trust.

Noah built an ark at God’s command (Genesis 6:14-22).
Abraham left his homeland at God’s command (Genesis 12:1-4).
Moses challenged the greatest king of his day at God’s command (Exodus 5:1).
Gideon destroyed his father’s pagan idols at God’s command (Judges 6:25-27).
Numerous battles were won when they were fought as God commanded (Judges 7:15-23; 2 Samuel 5:17-25).
Peter preached to the Gentiles at God’s command (Acts 10:19-20).
John wrote the Revelation at God’s command (Revelation 2:1).
The lame at the Gate Beautiful arose at Peter’s command (Acts 3:6-8).
Peter let down his net at the LORD’s command (Luke 5:4).
Peter and Andrew became fishers of men at the LORD’s command (Matthew 4:19-20).

Faith is quick to obey God and His will for our lives.

FAITH THROUGH FAITH

Sometimes faith just steps out and does something, though there is no command or instruction. Because faith is of the heart (Romans 10:10), we often act on the things that are in our hearts, and this too is faith. We must be careful here, because not everything in our hearts is godly or God-pleasing.

Many patriarchs were moved by their hearts to build altars to God. They wanted to honor God and consecrate themselves to Him. This was an act of faith (Genesis 12:8; 26:25; 28:16-22).
Jonathan set his heart to defeat the Philistines and his armor bearer supported him. They acted on their hearts and were victorious (1 Samuel 14:4-15).
David’s heart moved him to build a temple for God and he began to act on it before Nathan the prophet forbade him (2 Samuel 7:1-17). David poured out water from the well at Bethlehem as a libation offering (1 Chronicles 11:17-18).
Four lepers were motivated by their faith to go up against the Syrian camp. They risked their lives though they had nothing to lose (2 Kings 7:3-11).
The woman with the issue of blood sought Jesus for healing after she had heard He was healing people. She acted on the faith in her heart (Mark 5:25-34).
John Mark abandoned Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:13, 15:38).
Demas forsook Paul at the end of Paul’s ministry, having loved this present world more (2 Timothy 4:10a).
Offerings are to be given based on the faith in our heart and how our hearts motivate us to give (2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:7).

We will act on whatever is in our hearts because faith acts and faith is of the heart. We must examine the contents of our hearts and make sure our faith lines up with what God is saying and doing.

Download PDF

Listen Along:

THE PRINCIPLES OF FAITH

Lesson 4

How To Activate Your Faith

James 2:17, 20, and 26 teach us that “faith without works is dead.” Faith must have some action to it. Faith is not something to be sat upon and collected. Faith must act. In this lesson, we will examine Bible ways to act on and activate our faith.

FAITH THROUGH SPEAKING

The easiest way to activate and release faith is through speaking. The spirit of faith believes, therefore it speaks (2 Corinthians 4:13). Speaking faith is the easiest way to act on faith.

God spoke creation into existence (Genesis 1 and 2).

Abraham trusted God and said so. “I and the lad will return again” (Genesis 22:5).

The Israelites and the 10 spies did not have faith in God and their mouths said so, but Joshua and Caleb believed God and they declared so (Numbers 13:26-33).

The three Hebrew boys declared their faith to Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Daniel 3:17).

The good fight of faith requires you to confess a good confession before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12).

Hebrews exhorts us to hold fast our profession of faith (Hebrews 4:14, 10:23).

The heroes of faith died in faith “confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13b).

Faith is activated and released the moment you open your mouth.

FAITH THROUGH OBEDIENCE

Faith also obeys God. Faith honors God by obeying His will and Word. When God gives a direct order, whether through the Bible, the Holy Spirit, or the preaching of the Word, faith will obey it. Faith is a doer. You’ll obey what you trust.

Noah built an ark at God’s command (Genesis 6:14-22).

Abraham left his homeland at God’s command (Genesis 12:1-4).

Moses challenged the greatest king of his day at God’s command (Exodus 5:1).

Gideon destroyed his father’s pagan idols at God’s command (Judges 6:25-27).

Numerous battles were won when they were fought as God commanded (Judges 7:15-23; 2 Samuel 5:17-25).

Peter preached to the Gentiles at God’s command (Acts 10:19-20).

John wrote the Revelation at God’s command (Revelation 2:1).

The lame at the Gate Beautiful arose at Peter’s command (Acts 3:6-8).

Peter let down his net at the LORD’s command (Luke 5:4).

Peter and Andrew became fishers of men at the LORD’s command (Matthew 4:19-20).

Faith is quick to obey God and His will for our lives.

FAITH THROUGH FAITH

Many patriarchs were moved by their hearts to build altars to God. They wanted to honor God and consecrate themselves to Him. This was an act of faith (Genesis 12:8; 26:25; 28:16-22).

Jonathan set his heart to defeat the Philistines and his armor bearer supported him. They acted on their hearts and were victorious (1 Samuel 14:4-15).

David’s heart moved him to build a temple for God and he began to act on it before Nathan the prophet forbade him (2 Samuel 7:1-17). David poured out water from the well at Bethlehem as a libation offering (1 Chronicles 11:17-18).

Four lepers were motivated by their faith to go up against the Syrian camp. They risked their lives though they had nothing to lose (2 Kings 7:3-11).

The woman with the issue of blood sought Jesus for healing after she had heard He was healing people. She acted on the faith in her heart (Mark 5:25-34).

John Mark abandoned Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:13, 15:38).

Demas forsook Paul at the end of Paul’s ministry, having loved this present world more (2 Timothy 4:10a).

Offerings are to be given based on the faith in our heart and how our hearts motivate us to give (2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:7).

We will act on whatever is in our hearts because faith acts and faith is of the heart. We must examine the contents of our hearts and make sure our faith lines up with what God is saying and doing.

Listen Along: