10 Ways to Increase your Faith

 After Jesus, Peter, James and John came down from the mountain after the 3 disciples witnessed Jesus' transfiguration they came to a gathering of the other disciples and others, including a demon possessed boy and his father. The father had asked the disciples to cast out the demon but they were unable to. The father then asks Jesus to cast out the demon.

Mark 9:22-24 (ESV) "'And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'"

Do you identify with the father?

Definition of faith is confidence... Biblical faith is confidence in God not in ones self. These are some simple doable ways to increase your faith (confidence in God)

1. Pray for faith. 

James 4:2 (ESV) "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask." 

Ask for your faith to increase, but beware God often develops our faith in difficult circumstances.

2. Increase you knowledge (i.e. of God)

Romans 10:17 (ESV) "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

    A. The Bible is God's self revelation. 

    B. The more you know of Him, the easier it is to trust Him.

3. Apply the word apply the teachings

Obey-Experience-Confidence

We are often told not to tempt God, but if instruction with a promise then test Him.

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) "Bring the full tithe into storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

When you obey, the outcome is good and then you trust Him more.

4.Recall past victories

1 Samuel 17:36-37 (ESV) "'Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defiled the armies of the living God.' And David said, 'The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.'" And Saul said to David, 'Go, and the LORD be with you!'"

There is a benefit to journaling. It helps you to see where you have been and how God worked in different situations.

5.Seek His presence

You cannot conjure up His presence (séance). He is sovereign and He chooses. You can position yourself for His presence. Be prepared for when He chooses to reveal Himself to you. (i.e. worship-bible study-quiet time-church attendance)

6.Associate with faithful people

Treat non Christians with respect, but don't hang out with them. Hang out with mature Christians.

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

7. Practice "Holy Discontent" 

Matthew 5:3-6 (ESV) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Be content with THINGS you have, not with your spiritual condition! Most are content with their spiritual condition and discontent with the things. Backwards! Americans are the opposite of what the Bible teaches.

8. Pursue Christian virtues 

2 Peter 1:5-8 (ESV) "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,"

God gives us a lot through grace (salvation/forgiveness/reconciliation/inheritance). We must work at developing Christian virtues.

9. Be consistent 

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

How did Paul learn this? By being consistent in his Christian walk. PRACTICE! You are going to have highs and lows in your faith, but being consistent in your walk will cause you to gain faith as you grow.

10. Be patient 

We want to grow all at once, but growth takes time be patient.

Bonus

11. Serve

Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV) "But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them, It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"

Matthew 23:11 (ESV) "The greatest among you shall be your servant."

Don't think your faith will grow if you ignore this fundamental principle. You will not grow your Christian faith if you don't serve. We are called to be blessed, but also called to be the blessor.

What about accepting Christ? What about being born again? Isn't that essential to biblical faith? Yes, but it matters not which way you approach this. Accept Christ...then do these things...then you will increase your faith. Or do these things...and they will lead you to Christ and then growing your faith!