Characteristics of Bible Faith

Dr. Jeff Thompson

August, 2008

 

In Mark 11, Jesus was hungry and passed a fig tree. When He found no figs He spoke to the tree, “No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever.” When Jesus spoke to the tree there was no immediate apparent change. That very evening Jesus and His followers passed by the same tree, and evidently there was still no outward change. Yet the next morning as they passed the tree again, Peter noticed that the fig tree had withered from the roots. It is obvious that the spoken words of Jesus released power that set wheels of change in motion. Though that change was not immediately visible, it began the moment Jesus spoke, and continued until it was openly manifested.

When Peter called attention to the fact that the tree had withered as the result of Jesus’ words, Jesus responded to him, “Have faith in God” (KJV). The Greek phrase could just as easily have been translated “Use or employ the faith of God,” or we could say, “Use or employ Divine faith.” In effect, Jesus was telling Peter that he too could speak words born of Divine faith, and effect changes in his outward circumstances. Jesus Himself declared that believers would do the same things that He had done (John 14:12). This is amazing. Those who believe in Jesus Christ can speak words of faith and see their surroundings change to come into line with the revealed purpose of God!

Divine faith is more than merely “mental assent,” or “mind over matter.” It is more than what I call “human faith,” where for example, we might sit down in a chair trusting that it won’t collapse. Divine faith is born of the Spirit of God illuminating the Word of God in our hearts (Romans 10:17). Jesus Himself is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus was talking about the believer using faith that is truly “of God,” and not merely the product of the human intellect.

Jesus then went on to explain His astounding statement. He said next, “Whosoever shall say.” You must understand that faith will produce for “whosoever.” Everything God has provided through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is for “whosoever.” Someone said to me years ago, “That faith stuff just works for you because you’re a preacher.” I responded, “No it doesn’t. I know a lot of preachers that it isn’t working for!” Faith operating through the believer today will produce the same results as faith operating through Jesus Christ Himself!

“Whosoever shall say!” Please grasp the fact that the words you speak are important. One writer said that the definition of insanity was continuing to do the same things the same way but expecting a different result. If you want to change what you’ve been having, first you’re going to have to change what you’ve been saying. You cannot keep talking defeat and live in victory. You cannot keep talking sickness and live in health. You cannot keep talking fear and live in faith. You cannot keep talking poverty and live in abundance. You cannot keep talking death and walk in Divine Life.

Please join Sis. Linda and me for our upcoming monthly Healing Service, Saturday August 2, 7:00 p.m.,  at Word of Truth Church, on Highway 6 West, just outside of Many, LA.