“…but the just shall live by his faith.” Habakuk 2:2b
Some Christians believe that faith is simply believing in Jesus. However, it is so much more than that. Faith is acting on what you believe.
Mark 4:35-40 says: “And the same day, when the even was come, He [Jesus] saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”
Notice that Jesus told His disciples that they were going to pass over to the other side. He gave them a sure word. Jesus did not tell them that they were going to sink in the middle of the sea. Yet, when the storm arose and filled the boat with water, they thought they were going to die. They considered the circumstances more than what Jesus had said. They didn’t notice that even though the boat was filled with water, it didn’t sink. It was still floating on top of the water! However, Jesus knew how faith worked. He knew that what He said would surely come to pass. He had no doubt. He was operating in the God kind of faith. Therefore, He decided to get some sleep. The disciples were so gripped with fear that they not only woke Jesus, but even accused him of not caring about them or the situation. Jesus responded, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”
How could Jesus tell they had no faith? It was simple, He could tell based on what they said and did. Jesus says in Mathew 12:34b: “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Whatever is in the heart will inevitably come out of the mouth. How do you know if you are in faith? Check your words. What are you saying?
Proverbs 18:21 says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Psalm 50:23 says: “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me; and to Him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.”
What we say is so crucial to our victory. We already have the victory through Christ. 1 John 5:4 tells us: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
If you have a lamp that you want to give light to the room, then you need to plug it into a source of power. The house has electricity available to the lamp, however until you plug it into the outlet it cannot access that power, and as a result the lamp will not shine. The outlet has electricity; however, the lamp is not getting the benefit of that power until it gets plugged in. Likewise, to get the benefits of all that God has to offer, we must plug into His kingdom by faith!
When we walk in faith we cannot lose. We will win every time. Yet to walk in faith means we say what God has to say about our circumstances and then act on what we believe. For instance, if you are standing against symptoms of sickness, do not confess that you are sick. Instead confess what the word has to say. Psalm 107:22 says: “He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” You find the promises of God concerning your situation and confess them only. Speak the Word only. Do not tell people how sick you feel and focus on the circumstances. That is what the disciples did when they considered the waves and the storm more than they considered what Jesus had told them. Jesus expected them to use their faith. Speak to the storms in your life and command them to line up with God’s word.
If you are facing lack in your finances, do not keep talking about the lack and how you can’t afford this or that. Instead, confess God’s word which says that wealth and riches are in your house! (See Psalm 112). Confess what Phillipians 4:19 says: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
As you confess God’s word only, you will begin to see it come to pass in your life. If you don’t like the way your life is going, then change your conversation. Do not give into the pressure to speak the circumstances. Instead speak the word of God only and watch the circumstances change to line up with what you believe! Operate in the God kind of faith and you will see the God kind of results!
Further reading: Psalm 112, 2 Corinthians 5:20, James 3, Philippians 4, Mark 11:1-26, Mathew 6:25-33, Mathew 8, John 14:10-13, Romans 4:16-25
