Faith is an important concept in Christianity that refers to a belief and trust in God. The Bible has a lot to say about the origins and development of faith in a believer’s life. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about where faith comes from:
Faith Comes from God
The Bible teaches that faith ultimately comes from God. Ephesians 2:8 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” This verse indicates that even our ability to have faith in the first place is a gift from God, not something we can manufacture on our own. God grants His people the gift of faith.
In Acts 16:14, when Paul preaches the gospel to Lydia, the text says “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Here again we see that God opened Lydia’s heart so that she would have ears to hear the gospel and respond in faith. God Himself enables faith as an act of grace.
John 6:44 also states “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” Jesus indicates that unless God does a supernatural work to open people’s hearts, they cannot come to Jesus in faith. God initiates faith by enabling our hearts to believe.
Faith Comes from Hearing the Gospel
Biblically, God uses the preaching of the gospel message to impart and grow faith in a believer’s heart. Romans 10:17 declares “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” The way God grants faith to people is by having them hear the story of Jesus Christ and His redemptive work.
When people hear about who Jesus is, what He accomplished through His sinless life, death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead, the Holy Spirit works through that message to create faith within them. This is why evangelism and sharing the gospel are so vitally important – people will not have faith in Jesus unless they hear the biblical message about Him.
Faith is Increased and Strengthened Through God’s Word
While initial faith is granted by God through hearing the gospel, the Bible also teaches that established believers have their faith grown and strengthened through God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” This principle applies both to new believers first hearing the gospel, as well as mature Christians continuing to have their faith reinforced by scripture.
As believers immerse themselves in God’s Word through bible reading, study, meditation and memorization, their knowledge of God grows and their faith blossoms. Psalms 119:105 says God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The more believers understand and apply the Bible, the more their faith is solidified.
The Holy Spirit Grows Faith in Believers
In addition to imparting faith through hearing the gospel and God’s Word, the Bible also teaches that the Holy Spirit Himself works directly in believers to grow their faith from within. Galatians 5:22 lists “faithfulness” as one of the fruits of the Spirit at work internally within someone. Just as the Holy Spirit produces love, joy and peace, He also manifests greater faith in a believer’s heart.
The Holy Spirit also empowers Christians for greater boldness which builds their faith. Acts 1:8 declares “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” As Christians yield to the Spirit, He gives them confidence to step out in faith and trust God more. The Spirit strengthens faith from the inside out.
The Bible Inspires Examples of Faith to Follow
In addition to direct commands and teachings about faith, the Bible also contains many stories and examples of faithful believers that can encourage our own faith. In Hebrews 11, referred to as the Faith Hall of Fame, the author recounts example after example of Old Testament saints who trusted God, hoped in His promises, and persevered by faith even when facing difficulty.
Reading detailed stories of people like Abraham, Moses, Rahab and others exemplifying deep faith, inspires Christians to have greater faith themselves. We follow the examples of those who have gone before us. The biblical histories serve as faith-building lessons.
Practicing Faith Strengthens It
While reading stories of faith in the Bible is inspiring, believers actually grow in faith mainly by practicing it personally. Like a muscle, faith grows and becomes stronger through regular exercise. Each time a Christian trusts God in a difficult circumstance and sees His faithfulness, their faith is reinforced to go deeper.
Romans 4 discusses how Abraham grew in faith by believing God’s promise of a son. Though it seemed impossible physically, Abraham trusted God anyway. His faith was strengthened through this process of believing God even when it seemed improbable. Exercising faith, even when difficult, builds it up.
Faith is a Choice and a Discipline
Though God grants faith, the Bible also presents faith as something we are responsible for. Jesus instructed His disciples in Luke 17:5, “Increase our faith!” He indicated that they had a role to play in growing their faith, it was not just a passive experience. Believers must choose to deepen their faith through study, prayer, meditation, and obedience.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 says “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly…” This indicates that faith is something that grows with intentionality. Christians must nurture faith like a valued treasure. Faith involves discipline and development.
Faith Often Grows in Difficult Seasons
Counterintuitively, difficult trials often serve to build and strengthen faith the most. Romans 5:3-4 declares “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Times of hardship cause believers to cling to God tighter in faith.
Similarly, 1 Peter 1:6-7 says “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine.” Faith is purified and proven through the fiery furnace of affliction.
Faith is Meant to Produce Good Works
Biblically, faith is designed to produce good works and spiritual fruit in a believer’s life. Ephesians 2:8-10 makes clear that though faith is not from works, genuine godly faith will inevitably yield good works. The intention and result of faith is that Christians walk in greater obedience by the power of the Spirit.
James 2:14-26 stresses this truth even more strongly, arguing that claimed faith not accompanied by works is dead and useless faith. True scriptural faith manifests itself through tangible works empowered by the Spirit. Faith shows its life through deeds.
Faith Provides Assurance and Confidence
A final benefit of faith highlighted in the Bible is that it grants believers confidence, assurance and peace. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as the “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Genuinely trusting in God provides assurance of His presence and peace that transcends circumstances.
Isaiah 26:3 promises that God will guard in “perfect peace” those whose minds are steadfastly fixed on Him in faith. By faith, Christians can be assured of their adoption, salvation, God’s sovereignty, and heavenly promises. Faith provides confidence.
In summary, the Bible provides rich insight into the origins and development of faith. While God alone grants the gift of faith, He grows it through gospel proclamation, His Word, the Holy Spirit, faith-building examples, and life experiences. Believers also choose to nurture faith through intentional habits and practices. Genuine faith manifests itself in spiritual fruit and good works. Faith arises from God, is developed through discipline, and results in obedience and assurance.
