INCREASE YOUR FAITH - 2

The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith (that trust and confidence that spring from our belief in God). Luke 17:5 (AMP)

Our human will is powerful enough to resist God and quench the Holy Spirit, but it is not powerful enough to lead us into salvation or righteousness. Jesus answered the wealthy young man when he asked how to enter the Kingdom of God. “Sell all your possessions and follow me.” But the man turned away because his will and identity were in bondage to his wealth.

We can use self-determination to be disciplined in matters of faith. However, the Holy Spirit’s presence in our heart is the only acceptable indication of righteousness in God’s eyes. (Eph. 1:13)

To increase our faith we have to understand how to yield our will to the Holy Spirit.

VOLITIONAL FAITH (Your Will)

1. Bringing your will into cooperation with God’s will. (Gal. 5:22,25)

2. Understanding what God’s will and expectations are for Christians. (Heb. 12:14)

3. Recognizing that human will alone is insufficient power to know or

live in the truth. (Rom. 3:23)

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Romans 8:12-16

INCREASE YOUR FAITH

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" Luke 17:5

I am beginning a new series on how to increase your faith. If understanding faith was simple we would all be like the Apostle Paul. If living by faith was simple we would already be like Daniel or Esther. So, let's make a study of faith, be inspired by truth, and obey the Holy Spirit into increased faith.

I like using the Amplified Version to compare scriptural meaning. The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith (that trust and confidence that spring from our belief in God). Luke 17:5 (AMP)

This helps us see that our faith flows like a spring or is produced like fruit from our beliefs. As you believe that Jesus Christ is the Truth then you will not put faith in other teachers and you will begin to discern false teaching even if it is subtly camoflauged.

Faith influences and is formed in your mind, emotions, will, conscience, relationships and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Through the series we will break down each of these areas:

INTELLECTUAL FAITH (Your Mind)

1. Encouraged by the reading, studying, meditating in God’s Word. (Psalm 1)

2. Receiving knowledge of the truth and revelation in the truth. (Eph. 1:17-18)

3. Reading and evaluating other resources that support Christian truth. (Phil 1:9-10)

4. Recognize that the soul needs more than intellectual propositions. (Romans 8:16)

5. Knowledge of Christ includes experiences in his presence. (Acts 4:31)

6. Avoid the temptation of over dependency of intellectual faith. (John 5:39)

7. Avoid the temptation of anti-intellectual faith. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; Romans 8:5-6 (NIV)