At times the Christian does get discouraged and become despondent. They have not lost their faith, as this was a divinely given gift. However, their faith can be weakened and therefore in need of strengthening. The child of God at times will have “little faith” (Matt. 14:31) and ought to desire to have a growing faith (cf. 2 Thess. 1:3).
Though a believer can have weak faith, it is important to remember that there is a huge difference between weak faith and having no faith at all. Spurgeon notes that “between the very lowest degree of faith and a state of unbelief there is a great gulf. An immeasurable abyss yawns between the man who has even the smallest faith in Christ and the man who has none.” Weak faith is still saving faith, but as a believer we ought to desire to see it increase.
How does a believer strengthen their faith? Despite many silly approaches that are either driven by legalism or mysticism, we need to go back to the basics by simply asking the question, in whom is our faith placed? The answer is that it is placed in the Lord Jesus Christ. For this reason, if we are going to strengthen our faith, we need to go to the one source that can provide such strength that will increase our trust in Him. In-order to increase our faith we are in need of the enablement of the Holy Spirit, yet the Holy Spirit will use means so as to accomplish this task. The means that He uses is the word of God. As we go back to the word of God as the source of strengthened faith, let us strive after three things:
Know the Word If our faith is to be strengthened, it is essential that we know the Word. Knowledge becomes the basis of our trust. We must know in-order to trust, so we ought to fill our minds with the word of God and grow in our knowledge of His word. What does the Word of God say? What does it mean? These are only some questions we need to be constantly asking.
Believe the Word
After we spend time knowing what the Word says, we need to believe what it says. At this moment our knowledge becomes a conviction. A reality that we are willing and ready to stand on. Such belief comes as a result of being convinced of the truth. God has spoken, therefore you believe.
Act upon the Word
Once to know and believe the Word, we are to pray that the Lord would enable us to act upon what His Word said. As we act upon the Word, we need to consistently remind ourselves that we are doing this because it is what the Word of God says and we know it to be true.
These three actions are consistently seen in the lives of those who displayed a strong faith (cf. Heb. 11). Let us come before the throne of God and ask the Lord to “increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).
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