Increasing Our Faith Through God's Word

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Romans 10:17

When one of God's children is not reading the word of God on a consistent basis they are crippling themselves. Our faith grows by leaps and bounds when we consistently meditate and pray God's word.

Often times we think of faith as just wishing for something to happen. “If I just think God will do what I ask him to do strongly enough, He will do it.” This isn’t true, for the Bible teaches that Faith comes from the reading God's word.

Its point of origin is not within us; it is outside of us. It comes to us by the hearing or reading of the word of God. When we abide in God's word then we will gather faith, which is "..the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

There is so much contained in God's word that we would never hear outside of this source. There are words of hope, encouragement and comfort, along with promises only spoken in the Bible. So it makes complete sense that our faith grows the more we read or hear God's word. If we do not hear or read of the promises and truths contained in God's word how can we possibly possess the knowledge of what to have faith in or for?

When it is preached, the Holy Spirit does His work. I recall the very first passage of Scripture that I received into my heart. What I mean by this is when I read it I was overwhelmed with hope and promise that I never knew before. I simply believed that Scripture and still hang onto this promise. Whenever I hear it or read it, something happens in my heart. This promise strengthens my faith. If I had never read it, my faith would not be as strong as it is today. I needed a purpose and God spoke it into existence through a little 3x5 scripture card. It was not even from inside a Holy Bible. It does not have to be.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.
Plans for good, not evil; plans for a future and hope."
Jeremiah 29:11

This is why it is so important to bring the message of the gospel to those who have not yet heard.

When we abide in the word of God faith comes to us. When we abide in God’s word our faith is strengthened. When we abide in the word of God our faith is sustained. When we abide in the word of God our faith stands in the power of God. Faith comes from the outside, from the word of God, and works from the inside of the believer. Can one have faith if they don’t read the word of God? What type of faith is being exercised if one isn’t reading or hearing the word of God on a daily basis?

Another angle to better understand is to talk further about 'point of origin'.

What makes sunlight sunlight is the fact that it comes from the sun. Incandescent light is only incandescent light because it comes from an incandescent light bulb. Florescent light comes from a florescent bulb; this is what makes it florescent light. As we can see, its point of origin is what determines what type of light we are dealing with.

Point of origin also applies to faith... In order to have faith we must get it from its source, the word of God. (Romans 10:17) Without the reading or hearing of the word of God one can not possess faith. The Bible is the conduit through which faith flows to the believer. Remember, having faith in God means that one trusts Him. A person who has faith in God believes that God will do what He says and keep His promises. The more faith one has, the more that individual will trust God.

Your ability to trust God is directly proportional to your time spent in His word because faith comes from the word of God. So take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, and pray on all occasions. (Ephesians 6:17-18)

The Word of God fulfills itself. The more we experience the fulfillment of its own promises, the stronger and more powerfully the Holy Spirit grows our faith. God's Word is faithful and alive.