Romans 10:17 KJV — So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
How do we build our faith?
Through God’s Word.
Jesus told a parable which helps us understand this truth of building one’s faith.
And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Luke 8:4-8 NKJV
The disciples were unsure of the meaning and asked Jesus for the interruption.
And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?” And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’ “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Luke 8:4, 9-15 NKJV
How the seed, Word of God, is accepted and allowed to grow is different per the individual.
God’s Word guides us in how to live for Him.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6 NKJV
It warms us of the snares of the enemy.
1 Peter 5:8 KJV — Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:9 NKJV — Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Scripture instructs us how to cut down the thorns of the sinful nature, which wants to crowd out room in our lives for God and His Word.
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:15-21 NKJV
The Bible gives us clear direction in how to live fruitful lives.
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:3-8 NKJV
May we purpose to build our faith through time in God’s Word applying it continually to our thoughts, our actions, and our attitudes.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your scriptures! Please help each one of us to walk daily abiding in You and applying Your Word to our lives. Lord, please open our understanding of Your Word, continue to instruct us through Your Holy Spirit, washing our hearts daily with scripture. Lord, unto You alone do I want to live. Unto Your precepts do I want to be faithful. Lord, please build my faith today that I might bear a life of fruitfulness for You. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 