Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). To explain how people should have faith and not doubt in their hearts, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them” (Mark 11:23).
When it comes to strengthening our faith, the apostle Paul in Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The more we study the word of God and the more we reflect on the faithfulness of God in taking care of us, the more our faith in Him will increase. We can therefore strengthen our faith by studying the Scriptures (1 Timothy 4:1).
Another way we can strengthen our faith is when we choose to actually use it by trusting in God when everything around us is going wrong. If we say we have faith but then doubt in God’s promises when things don’t go our way, we prove that we don’t really have a living trust in Him. Jesus promised that no difficulties, no matter how big they may seem, can deter the accomplishment of His divine plans to save us (Isa. 45:18; 55:8–11).
But in order to claim God’s promises, we must first know God’s will and apply it in our lives. Then we can have the promises He has given us. The apostle John writes, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22).
Finally, Jesus gave the example of a mustard seed to show that faith no matter how small it is can move mountains or the trials of life (Matthew 17:20). The mustard seed may be small but it has life and once it is given the right circumstances, it will grow. Therefore, our faith will become strengthened and grow every time we use it.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
