Very early in my walk with Yahushua Messiah [the Hebrew name for Jesus Christ], I heard a significant statement about faith:
“Faith comes! If you don’t have it, you can get it!“
Derek Prince made that statement based on Romans 10:17:
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.“
This simple verse in Romans tells us that if we want to acquire or increase our faith, then we need to hear the Words of God – the Scriptures – the Bible.
That sounds simple to do, and yet, there is something about it that seems hidden and complicated.
We all know that faith is important. Faith is key to pleasing God! (Hebrews 11:6) It is central to our relationship with Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for the LORD God].
For me, however, faith has always been mysterious. I seem to understand it, and yet, I lack confidence.
Learning the definitions for faith from the Hebrew and Greek definitions can be helpful. The Bible meaning for faith can be summed up in two words: faithfulness and loyalty.
The dictionary goes on to define faith, with words such as:
firmness, security, stability, trustworthy, conviction,
convince, truthful, believe, obedience.
All of these words reveal characteristics of faith. Understanding what faith is can give us encouragement, and build up our faith. For further discussion on Biblical faith, see Walking by Faith.
But how does Faith COME?? How can I strengthen the little bit of faith that I have?
A Little Will Suffice
In Hebrews chapter 11, and throughout the Scriptures, we see that amazing things are accomplished . . .
- by faith,
- with faith,
- through faith,
- of faith, or
- in faith.
The ‘Heroes of Faith’ inspire me with a strong desire to have faith. A little bit of faith will suffice, for even faith the size of a small mustard seed can accomplish the impossible (Matthew 17:19-20).
While faith seems to mysterious and difficult to understand, by God’s mercy, “Faith Comes!! 
If you don’t have it, you can get it!” — because Faith COMES by hearing the Word of Yahuwah, the Mighty One of Israel.
“There is only one way to all the treasures of God, and that is the way of faith. Lack of faith is due to not feeding on God’s Word.” — Smith Wigglesworth
Some people do not have faith. Many have weak faith. But, if we want to acquire more faith, or if we want to strengthen our faith, then we must begin to HEARKEN (hear and obey) God’s written Word.
There are at least three keys we could practice (with God’s help), that would enable us to hear God’s Word, and thereby strengthen our faith.
The First KEY to Strengthening Our Faith
To hear the WORD of Yahuwah [the LORD], we need to personally and regularly read and study the Bible. We must begin to read and study the written Word of God for ourselves! This is a major key for gaining more faith and strengthen our faith!
“The reading of the Word … is a kind of HEARING with the eyes, and faith will often come to men while they are reading the Word of God for themselves. … The reading of the Word is a quiet HEARING of the still small voice of the printed page. Faith comes by the Word of God reaching our minds, and our knowing and understanding it. ‘The entrance of God’s Word gives light!'” – Charles Spurgeon
As Charles Spurgeon said, when we begin to search and read the Scriptures for ourselves, this builds up our faith, and this is feeding on God’s Word!
As a result, we discover that our understanding increases and faith comes!!
Studying the Scriptures is a way of hearing the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. By studying the Scriptures, we increase our own understanding of Father’s Ways, which will always be a means of strengthening our faith and obedience to Father God.
As we read and study the Scriptures, our faith grows stronger, making us wise unto salvation in many areas of our life. The more we read the written Word for ourselves, the more we are convinced and convicted that . . . “ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2Timothy 3:16).
- It is so important that we read/study the version of God’s Word [the Bible] that is pure, not containing men’s twisted additions and eliminations!! (See the warnings in Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19) The safest version to stay with is the King James version. If you are sincere in following the LORD, then He will be faithful to make sure you understand the purity of His Word! (A very good resource for studying the Bible on your computer, is to download the Authorized King James Version Bible, for free, at E-Sword.net. See also more links below for Bible Study Guidelines.)
The Second KEY to Strengthening Our Faith
To hear the WORD of Yahuwah [the LORD], we need to hear, and listen carefully to a preacher. The preaching of the Gospel is actually the proclaiming of God’s Word.
Father has appointed the ministry of preaching [proclaiming] His Word as the means of bringing salvation, healing, deliverance, and maturity to Believers! When we hear the preaching of the true and pure Word of Yahuwah [not the deceiving teachings of man-made doctrines, but hearing the plain truth of God’s Word], then our faith begins to grow stronger:
… how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:14-15)
For the preaching of the cross is, to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God…. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1Corinthians 1:18, 21)
As the above Scriptures teach, Father God sends His servants [the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers], to proclaim His Word and bring the glad tidings of His good Ways. Preaching is the way God has chosen for the perfecting, edifying, and building up, of the Believers (Ephesians 4:11-12).
The world considers preaching a foolish thing. But for those being saved, who are growing in the knowledge of God, it is the preaching, proclaiming of the Gospel of the cross of Yahushua Messiah [Jesus Christ], that brings deliverance and victory over sin!
Caution
We must, however, be very, very diligent to maintain an alert attitude, and persistently guard ourselves against hearing any deceptive preaching of ‘another gospel‘!!
The apostle Paul warns twice, and very strongly — ‘let him be accursed!’ who would preach any other gospel than Yahushua Messiah [Jesus Christ] crucified, which is the power and the wisdom of God (Galatians 1:8-9 and 1Corinthians 1:23-24). It is ‘another gospel’ that leads God’s people astray, and away from obedience to His written Word!
Paul warns us: There will be ‘false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah [Christ]. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light’ (2Corinthians 11:13-14).
So we must be very careful and “Take heed what you hear!” (Mark 4:24)
Hearing the preaching, the proclaiming, of God’s Word is a wonderful way to acquire saving faith! But we need to make sure that what we hear is in agreement with the Scriptures!! Always keep this in mind whenever hearing and listening to a preacher!
Preaching, according to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, will always glorify the Truth of Yahushua [Jesus] the Messiah, Who is The Truth (John 14:6)!
It is so very important to understand this in order to recognize genuine preachers of Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God]!
Any preaching that does not glorify
the truth and purposes of Yahushua Messiah
is NOT guidance from the Holy Spirit!
This is an important principle to remember!! We must be vigilant to recognize any subtle counsel or preaching that rejects Yahushua as the Messiah and Saviour (1John 2:22 and (2John 1:7).
It is hearing The Truth of the pure, written Word of God, preached by those whom Father has appointed and sent, that is the means for building true faith within our hearts! When our faith is built up, we will gladly believe and obey our heavenly Father, which is greatly pleasing to Him (Hebrews 11:6).
The proclaiming of God’s Word can also occur within the setting of our own dining table, or while sitting along side a fellow Believer. Hearing the Word of Yahuwah does not happen only within the setting of a congregation. Therefore, we must remain open and sensitive to the proclamation of Father’s Word wherever we are, and from whomever Yahuwah sends to us. Even Baalam received faith and insight when he heard the words of his donkey (see Numbers 22:27-31)!
The Third KEY to Strengthening Our Faith
To hear the WORD of Yahuwah [the LORD], we need to personally proclaim with our own lips, and declare with our own words, the written Word of Yahuwah [the words and promises found in the Bible].
We must begin to speak words that are in agreement with the Bible, and personally testify what God’s Word says about us — that we are His redeemed children, separated unto Him, devoted to walking in His Ways:
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Messiah Yahushua [Christ Jesus]. (Hebrews 3:1)
Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Yahushua [Jesus] the Son of God, let us hold fast [hold firmly] to our profession [our declaration]. (Hebrews 4:14)
These Scriptures teach that Yahushua [Jesus] is the High Priest of our profession (our declaration) of faith. In other words, Yahushua, as our High Priest, is watching what we do and listening to what we say! Yahushua needs to hear our declaration of faith as He stands before the Father on our behalf.
Therefore let us hold firmly to our own words and not lose our grip on the proclamation of our faith. If we maintain a good confession, speaking words that confirm and agree with Father’s written Words, then we are building up and strengthening our faith.
The words we speak are central to our eternal destiny! Yahushua told us that by our words we shall be justified, and by our words we shall be condemned (Matthew 12:37). If we will hold firmly to a good confession, speaking according to Yahuwah’s written Word, then we will be proclaiming and hearing Father’s Word and thus, building up our faith.
It is a Bible principle, that every time we proclaim our faith, no matter how small, our faith grows stronger, because we are hearing God’s Word! Furthermore, it is with the same measure we use, that it shall be measured to us, for unto you that hear shall more be given! (Mark 4:24)
With the words of our mouth we need to proclaim the promises of God’s written Word. The more we proclaim His Word, the more we will be hearing it, and the more our faith and obedience will increase.
The personal proclamation of Yahuwah’s written Words is essential for those who would be overcomers. It is by the word of our testimony, especially our spoken testimony, of what the blood of Yahushua has done on our behalf, that we will begin to walk in more victory! (Revelation 12:11)
Mustard Seed Sized Faith
The Heroes of Faith heard God’s Word frequently. So start doing what you can to hear the Word of God. If our faith is only the size of a mustard seed, we can expect our faith to grow if we will HEAR God’s Word. But remember, it is a process that takes time and patience. Eventually our faith will be strong and our trust in Father’s Word will be strong. Then we will be more willing to fulfill the good works God has ordained for us (see Ephesians 2:10)!
“Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
These Three Keys to hearing Father’s Word are helpful for building and strengthening our faith, and thus our obedience. There is no other way for gaining more faith than by hearing the written Word of Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God].
With Father’s mercy and enabling grace, if our faith is little or weak, then we can gain and strengthen our faith — because ‘Faith Comes by Hearing the Word of God!’
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See the Companion Posts: Walking By Faith and Fight The Good Fight of Faith
See also: Seven Biblical Guidelines for Studying the Bible – indepth and excellent Guidelines for learning how to study God’s Word for ourselves
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Related Articles:
- Blessed Are They Which Do Hunger – steps for increasing our hunger for Yahuwah
- Trusting in Yahuwah With All Your Heart – simple actions for trusting in Father
- Those Who Gathered Little Had No Lack – recognizing Yahuwah’s mercy in the midst of our weakness
- Lead Me In Your Truth: Part 1 – The Basics
- Taking Hold of God’s Promises
- The Holy Spirit: Our Amazing Comforter
- Enduring As Seeing Him Who Is Invisible
- Preparing to Walk Into The Land of Uprightness
- Guard Your Heart With All Diligence! – 4 Tips
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Cold Waters to a Thirsty Soul
Cold Waters to a Thirsty Soul 
Thank you for reminding me to always read the Bible whenever I feel like my faith is wavering. I live far from my parents because of college, and there are times when I just feel that I need their support to strengthen my own faith. It might be a good idea to visit the library tomorrow and see if I can find some resources featuring Christian literature aside from the Bible.
Thank you for your comment!
May I suggest that you also read:
3 Keys to Receiving God’s Guidance
That article is also very encouraging for strengthening our faith.
Within that article, there are a few links to some biographies about some great Christians.
Blessings to you!