WE HAVE THE SPIRIT OF FAITH

As Christians, we believe in the truths of the gospel because we believe in God and we have His Spirit dwelling in us. Once we have a settled conviction of the truths in God's Word, it is natural to give utterance to our belief and such expression causes our lives and results to align with God's truth.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:13 Berean Study Bible (BSB)

'And in keeping with what is written: "I believed, therefore I have spoken," we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak.'

The above scripture tells us that there is the Spirit of faith and as Christians, we have it. This is so because God has distributed faith to each one of us (see Romans 12:3 NIV). However the author of this faith is the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit sponsors our faith, because His power in us generates this faith when we stir it up.

There is also another spirit which is contrary to the Spirit of faith. We find it mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7 as the spirit of fear. God did not give us such spirit. In Christ we have the Spirit of Faith and we speak a different language, as a result. This language is prompted by the Spirit of faith who grants us utterance to the Word of God in our hearts. In other words, it is the Spirit of faith that enables us express our confidence in God, through utterances. He programmes us to utter our belief in the glorious truths of the gospel.

The Spirit of faith is energized by hearing the Word. So its not just reading the Word that will build your faith, it is what you hear and how you digest what you hear that matter a lot. It's possible to read a scripture and not understand anything. When you don't understand, your hearing will not be impacted or influenced by the Word of God. That's why Romans 10:17 (NKJV) says, 'So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' Notice that there are two kinds of hearing in this Scripture. The first 'hearing' is a hearing that attracts all manner of faith. That means, faith can come to you by any great information sourced from any field of life.

The second hearing is the understanding gained only by the Word of God you hear. This particular hearing comes only or specifically by the Word of God. To explain further, you can hear any information which is not from God's Word, and it will trigger your faith to action in any field of life. That is still faith coming by hearing. But the specific hearing that comes by listening to the Word of God is a spiritual hearing because it is spiritually based, and its characterised by discerning God's voice. It is spiritually sound and this 'hearing' brings understanding to spiritual realities.

Then after hearing and receiving spiritual realities, 2 Corinthians 4:13 tells us what to do next to activate it in our lives. We need to believe and speak what we have heard. That way, we give expression to our faith. It's not enough to have the Spirit of faith, you've got to stir it up. When Paul was counselling Timothy in 2nd Timothy 1: 5-7 (PHILLIPS), he said to him, 'I often think of that genuine faith of yours- a faith that first appeared in your grandmother Lois, then in Eunice your mother, and is now, I am convinced, in you as well. Because you have this faith, I now remind you to stir up that inner fire which God gave you at your ordination. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind.'

Just as the Spirit of faith is energized by hearing and speaking God's Word, the spirit of fear is also energized by hearing evil reports, believing and speaking them. Beloved, ensure you stay in the Word. Don't stick too much to materials, news and information that activate fear. Instead form the habit of meditating on the Word of God, listening to faith-filled messages and speaking the Word. Doing them often will continually stir the Spirit of faith in you and grant you access to your inheritance in Christ.

Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 4:20; Hebrews 4:12; Philippians 1:14.

Guided Prayer:

Dear Father, I thank you for the great faith I have in your Word which is backed up by your Spirt. As I study, hear, believe and meditate on the Word today, my heart receives it with joy and meekness and my mouth activates it with confidence. My faith is built strong in the process and my destiny is continually shaped in line with your perfect will for me. The impact of your Word in my spirit and the influence of your Word in my mouth beautify my life, deliver my inheritance to my door step and move me forward in one direction: from glory to glory. Thank you Lord for teaching me how to stir up the Spirit of faith in me to work for me, in Jesus' Name, Amen!