Do You Need More Faith?

Luke 17:5 "And the apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.'"

Have you ever prayed something like this? Have you ever asked God to give you more faith? After all, who wouldn't want stronger faith to trust God more? I think most Christians know someone who doesn't seem to have any problems believing God, no matter how things appear. When we see people like this, we tend to pray along these lines, "I want that much faith too!"

The Measure of Faith

But there is a problem with asking God for more faith...it's not Biblical! God has already given each of us all the faith He will ever give us.

Romans 12:3 tells us that "God has dealt to each one the measure of faith." This means that God gives everyone the same amount of faith. Every believer, from the weakest and most fearful, to the strongest who seem to always trust God - we have all been given the same measure of faith.

When were we given this "measure" of faith? We know that it had to be given before you were saved; because you were saved "by grace through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). If you were saved through faith, then we must assume that this faith was given to you before you were saved.

But we also know that faith was not given to you when you were born. We see this in 2 Thessalonians 3:2, "...for not all have faith." Apparently, faith is not a birthright. Not everyone was given the measure of faith, so it is not a gift given at birth. At some point between your natural birth and being "born again", you were given a measure of faith.

When did that happen? Romans 10:17 tells us the answer: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

Faith was given when you first heard the Gospel. When God used someone to tell you about Jesus and what He did for you on the cross, faith was given to you and you believed what you heard. This is when you received the measure of faith. At that point, God gave you the same amount of faith that He gave to anyone else.

(As a side note: This is the reason why the Great Commission is so important. Yes, faith is a gift from God that is not given to everyone. But God isn't the one deciding who gets it and who doesn't...we are. Romans 10:14 backs this up. Before Paul declares that "faith comes by hearing", he said this: "How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Faith is given when someone hears us preach the Gospel.)

Romans 10:9-10 tells us, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

When you heard the message of the Gospel, faith came. That faith came in your ears and moved down into your heart - where you believed the message that you heard. Then it moved from your heart up out of your mouth - where you confessed that Jesus is Lord. These two things - believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth - activated that faith and brought grace to save you.

Hallelujah!

Faith Must Grow

Well then, if were all given the same amount of faith, why are there some believers who seem to have more of it and others who seem to have less? How can one Christian have faith that can move mountains and receive anything God promised...and another be insecure and weak concerning their trust in God? Simply put, it's because we were never intended to stop with the measure we were given!

Let's go back to Luke 17, where we read earlier about the disciples asking for more faith. Let's take a look at Jesus' response in verse 6, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." Take notice of what Jesus compared faith to - a mustard seed. His point wasn't "a little faith can do big things." Jesus was telling us that our faith is like a seed!

Your faith can grow!
2 Thessalonians 1:3 "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other."

Your faith can become stronger!
Acts 16:5 "So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily."
Romans 4:20 "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God."

Now we can see the answer. Now we can understand why everyone's faith is not equal...even though we were given the same amount. It's because some people do nothing with their faith once they get it; and others decide to grow stronger in it.

Who do you want to be? Do you want to be someone who keeps his "measure" of faith (that is, the faith for salvation) and then stops there? Or would you rather be someone who grows their faith out of the "seed stage" - becoming stronger and stronger in it?

Faith Continues To Come By Hearing

So far, we've established a few truths:
1 - God gave every believer the same measure of faith.
2 - This measure of faith was given to us when we first heard the Gospel preached.
3 - The faith we were given is like a seed; it can grow and become stronger.

How does this growth occur?

Some people think that growth will occur with time. In their mind, the longer a person has been in the kingdom, the stronger their faith will get automatically. But we know this isn't true! We've all known believers who have been saved for years, and yet they still struggle with trusting what God said in His Word.

Other people seem to think that God is the One who will make that faith grow. They tend to pray along these lines, "God, give me more faith so I can trust You." Unfortunately, that's not how it works. True, God will give you faith - but it's not outside of your responsibility!

Let's go back to how faith came in the first place. Did God give it to you? Of course He did...we've read that already in Romans 12:3. Did you have a part in that process? Absolutely! You had to hear the Word! The first time faith came, it was given to you when you heard the Word of God.

This is how you will continue to grow in that faith! God will give you more as you continue to hear His Word. The more of God's Word you get inside your heart, the stronger your faith will become.

Hearing the Word Could Come in Different Forms

As much as I enjoy good worship songs and some of the more modern Christian songs, generally these will not build your faith. Faith comes from hearing the WORD - so unless the songs you're listening to are quoting scripture, you won't grow in faith by listening to them. They may be encouraging, they may have a good message, they may even be relatable...but don't think they will produce faith in you.

Faith comes from hearing the Word.

It could be listening to preachers who truly minister from the Word. Always be careful to investigate the Scriptures to make sure what's being said is true. Their opinions won't build your faith. Their denominational doctrines won't build your faith. Certainly their stories of doubt won't build your faith (no matter how "relatable" they are). But if you find a man or woman who preaches what the Word says...listen to them! That will help your faith grow!

There is something even more important than hearing preachers minister the Word. What has the most effect is hearing yourself speak the Word! This should happen during your own reading and study times. The Bible was not meant to consume with your eyes only. It was made to see and hear. This can clearly be seen from two passages:

The first is Proverbs 4:20-21 "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart..." Here we can see that God's Word should be both in your ears and in your eyes. You should always be seeing it and hearing it. How can this happen at the same time?

The answer is found in the second passage, from Joshua 1:8 "This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

We take in God's word through our eyes and our ears. The bridge between the eye and the ear is the mouth. As you read it, speak it! Listen to yourself as you read the Word. The Bible wasn't meant to be read silently, it was made to be read out loud. This is hearing the Word - and this is where faith comes from!

So let's stop praying prayers like this: "God, grant me more faith!" That prayer is not Sriptural, and He won't answer it.

Instead, as we open the Word, let's pray something like this: "God, I'm going to hear the Word now...let it bring faith as I listen to what it says. Today, I choose to grow the faith that You've already given me."