What is Faith?

“Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” (Hebrews 11:1 Amplified)

Today, we begin a journey into the heart of Scripture on the subject of faith. We will explore the definition of biblical faith, its possibilities, and its immense importance in the life of a believer.

Thomas Aquinas captured the essence of faith in these powerful words:

"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."

What Is Faith?

When you first hear the word faith, what definition comes to mind?

Is it God's preparatory class for managing man's anxiety? Is it blind optimism or a manufactured feeling of hope? Perhaps many view faith as a necessary dogma a mere intellectual agreement with Christian doctrine that one must believe.

However, our opening verse makes it clear that faith is none of these things. Faith is not merely attempting to sail through the stormy seas of life with nothing more than wishful thinking and a fragile hope.

Faith Is Action Based on God's Word

Faith is an action based on the Word of God.

Faith is not some feeling or emotion that we manufacture in order to manage our fears of the unknown. It is man's absolute response to what God has said or revealed in His Word.

Faith is not a shot in the dark.

When Jesus told Simon Peter, the fisherman, to let down his nets into the deep water, Simon initially responded by explaining that he and his companions had worked hard all night and had caught nothing.

Yet Peter went on to say:

“But because You say so, I will let down the nets.”(Luke 5:5)

Peter responded with an action based on the words of the Lord Jesus.

That is faith.

Faith Beyond

Faith means acting on what God says despite our opinions, our experiences, and even our education.

Faith is acting on the truth whether we feel the truth or not, whether we like the truth or not, and whether we agree with the truth or not.

When God has spoken, faith responds.

Likewise, when you act upon what the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart, there will be credible results.

That is faith.

Throughout many of my services, when the anointing is moving very strongly, words of knowledge often come forth that accurately describe people's conditions and situations.

Many people respond because they recognize that it is the LORD speaking directly to them. There is simply no natural way that I could know their conditions so precisely.

Those who respond to the word receive healing from the LORD.

The Difference Between Hearing and Responding

However, there are also some people who know that the word being spoken describes their condition exactly, yet they never respond.

Perhaps they assume that God's power will simply move upon them and make them do something whether they want to or not.

That is not how the Holy Spirit works.

Evil spirits force and compel people to do things they do not want to do.

The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is like a gentleman.

He will never force you. He will never push you into doing something against your will.

He will gently prompt you.
He will lovingly nudge you.
He will faithfully speak to your heart.
But then the responsibility shifts to you.

Faith Requires a Response

It is up to you to respond.

It is up to you to take action based on the word that has come.

That response may be as simple as stepping forward for prayer, lifting your hands in surrender, obeying an instruction from Scripture, or acting upon a prompting from the Holy Spirit.

Whatever the action may be, faith always responds.

Faith is not merely hearing God's Word.

Faith is acting upon God's Word.

And when faith responds to what God has spoken, the power of God is released and lives are changed.

Bible Reading: Job 19-23

What is Faith?

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