THE PRINCIPLES OF FAITH

Lesson 2

How To Get Faith

Everyone, whether lost or saved, has a measure of faith.

• . . . but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  – Romans 12:3c

Everyone has the ability to believe, and God gives man the free will to believe whatever he wants. However, the Bible tells us what to do with this faith: believe God.

Some believe there is no God, others believe there are many gods, and still others believe in the one true God. Regardless of what is being believed, faith is in operation. You can believe anything you want, but believing it doesn’t mean it is true or accurate. Not all men have faith in Christ Jesus.

• And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.  – 2 Thessalonians 3:2

• For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  – 1 Peter 4:17

Faith is like human muscle. Every human has the same general muscular build with the same amount of muscles. Some develop their muscles and they become body builders. Others cover their muscles with a thick layer of fat. In the end we each have the same number of muscles, but we are responsible for developing the muscle of faith. So how do we develop the muscle of faith?

FAITH COMES BY HEARING

Every great believer desires to have greater faith in God. Jesus even commanded that we have faith in God (Mark 11:22). The disciples requested that the LORD Jesus would increase their faith (Luke 17:5), but there are no short cuts to great faith.

• So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  – Romans 10:17

Faith comes by hearing. It does not come by having heard. You must hear and keep hearing. You will believe what you are hearing if you hear it enough. Jesus said you must take heed how you hear (Luke 8:18).

Faith in God’s Word only comes by hearing His Word.

• God spoke to Abram and Abram believed Him. It caused Abram to become the father of faith (Genesis 12:1-4).

• An Ethiopian politician gained faith to be born again and water baptized after he heard Philip preach Jesus to him. He was able to believe with his whole heart (Acts 8:29-40). Hearing produces faith for salvation.

• Cornelius’ household believed on the Lord Jesus as they heard Peter preach Christ unto them. The Holy Spirit confirmed their faith by falling upon them and filling them (Acts 10:44). This is another example of hearing producing faith for salvation.

• A crippled man heard Paul preach the gospel and gained faith to be healed of his handicap (Acts 14:7-10). An example of faith for healing.

• Disciples at Ephesus obtained faith for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit after they heard Paul talk about it (Acts 19:1-7). An example of hearing producing faith for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

To be strong in faith, you will need to develop a lifestyle of reading the Bible, speaking the Bible, listening to the Word being preached, and sharing the Word with other people. The foundation of strong faith is built upon the Word of God.

Faith can also be placed in man’s word.

• Ten Israelite spies brought back an “evil report” about the Promised Land. All of the people believed them and murmured against God. They believed man’s word though they had not actually seen the land for themselves (Numbers 13:17-14:10).

• Gossip and slander can affect your faith and change what you believe about  someone, even God. Many Christians will even change their faith in God once they get to college or around philosophizing humanists (Proverbs 18:8, 26:22).

• The Bible tells us some Christians will even “depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” They will listen to another voice and change their faith and doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1).

You must be careful what you are listening to. There are many opinions and perverse doctrines in the earth seeking to indoctrinate you. The world’s system is run by satan himself (2 Corinthians 4:4), and he has his own propaganda machine he uses to pervert all of mankind. Stick with the Word of God and whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).