Now, I wish to go on and explore only a few of the reasons that make enduring in faith quite the task. But before I do, I keep to memory the initial meaning of faith. I go on, once again, to recall its beginning definition.
I read from the book of Hebrews Chapter eleven:
1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
3 “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
7 “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household...
13 “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth
From the above definition and description, while taking into account other perspectives that were previously explored, I now take the time to think through what indeed, the above verses are actually saying. I wait for the moment while I sit to think.
From my understanding, man was given the Word of God; that bit of instructional material that would be man’s guiding light to live according to Life’s way.
But the physical material alone is not sufficient enough to lead man in this way of living. No. This is not case. It is not as though a teacher just walks into his classroom, giving a lesson for the day, and the student just readily grasps all that the teacher has to say. It is not like that.
If I pick up a book to read. I have a choice.
I may decide to never the read the book
I could also decide to just watch the front and back ends
I may also decide to just stick to one section of the book
I may also decide to just mark up and colour in the book
Or I may decide to read through the book
Regardless of what I do, regardless of what I read or do not read, the words mentioned may go as far as the mind of the writer of that book. Some books, especially academic ones, are more factual than anything else. At worst, it can possibly be speculative or predictive in nature.
But there is something that stands out to me when I compare a book, any book, to the one written by ‘The’ True Author. The big difference is the need or requirement of faith needed to be present in order to truly receive the words written by ‘The’ True Author. For the Law Book is just not only a Law Book, like any other book. No! This Book is actually Spirit. Yes, Spirit!
Now, I do not know about you, but it must take a great deal of faith to even accept or hold the above statement as true. I look for the Author’s words explaining Himself.
I read from the book of John Chapter six:
55 My flesh is really food and my blood is drink.
56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me and I in them.
57 Just as the Father, who is life, sent me and I have life from the Father, so whoever eats me will have life from me.
58 This is the bread which came from heaven; unlike that of your ancestors, who ate and later died. Those who eat this bread will live forever.”
60 After hearing this, many of Jesus’ followers said, “This language is very hard! Who can accept it?”
63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh cannot help. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
67 Jesus asked the Twelve, “Will you also go away?”
68 Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Can one imagine that? Words are spirit and are of a nature characteristic of eternal life.
I immediately think myself to these other verses.
I pull up the words taken from the book of Wisdom Chapter seven:
21 I have come to know everything we see and everything hidden, because Wisdom, who designed them all, taught me.
25 She is a breath of the power of God, a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; nothing impure can enter her.
26 She is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of God’s action and an image of his goodness.
27 She is but one, yet Wisdom can do all things and herself, unchanging, she renews all things…
I now link these two sets of passages. Wisdom is the binding element or glue that allows the words of the Law Book to stay within the memory of the reader. Ten different persons may pick the book up to read the exact same verse, yet it is Wisdom who opens the door to much interpretation.
She has the art of interpretation and knows how to solve riddles, she foresees signs and wonders, the end of ages and eras. (Wisdom 8: 8)
Now, there is never really an end as to how far one may read into this Law Book. For the words written in it, spans all of eternity. There is just no end as to how far and wide Wisdom spreads her wings to bring revelations to the reader.
I would have pure delight through friendship with her, inexhaustible riches in what she does, understanding from being in her company… (Wisdom 8: 18)
But what exactly is the definition of riches?
I go on to read from the book of Wisdom Chapter eight:
5 If we desire riches in life, what is richer than Wisdom who is the active cause of everything?
7 If you love righteousness, every virtue is the fruit of her labour, for she teaches temperance, prudence, justice, fortitude- all that is most valuable in life.
It must mean then, that the objective of this Law Book, after reading its content is to bring forth these fruits in the person of the reader.
I probe this thought some more.
One may have various uses of the Script, but from what I read, it seems to me, the most important objective after this reading and studying the Book is to attain and retain the teachings of Wisdom.
But what exactly is She teaching?
One is known to be the student when he starts to display in sound manner her many fruits. For She teaches temperance, prudence, justice, fortitude.
I also remember the words of Paul taken from the second letter of Peter Chapter one:
5 So, strive with the greatest determination and increase your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge,
6 knowledge with moderation, moderation with constancy, constancy with piety,
7 piety with mutual affection, mutual affection with charity.
8 If all of these riches are in you so as to abound in you, … , you will rather be rooted in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.
In this case, Paul repeats the riches given to man by Wisdom. And for man, Wisdom is knowledge of His Law.
So, now, I recapitulate here, that the main objective is to reach within Wisdom’s ways. It is by faith, however, that one is even allowed to reach as far.
Though this be the objective, I now go on to express how very difficult it can be to even reach a solid point of faith as a believer.
I concur. I am not talking about the faith required to gain earthly riches. This is not, by any means, my study of faith and the path that I have chosen to walk. No. This is not the case.
The faith that I am talking about is trying to reach within Wisdom’s ways. That is, learning how to walk and operate in the Spirit; God’s Spirit. It is Wisdom through faith that this can even be a possibility.
So, now I work to highlight the struggles of faith.
I go back to the book of John and I re-read again Chapter six:
63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh cannot help. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
64 But among you there are some who do not believe.”
Verse sixty-four identifies one of the greatest struggles of faith: belief.
I study the word belief for now.
I find belief to be rather tricky in nature.
How does one truly know that he believes?
I take a look at Peter’s response to this thought.
I read again from the book of John Chapter six:
67 Jesus asked the Twelve, “Will you also go away?”
68 Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69 We now believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
What would have caused Peter to speak with so much confidence in his belief of the Word?
I would imagine that the disciples received a great deal of teaching, mixed in with experiential learning, being a follower of Christ. These students most likely had the experience of internship while Christ Jesus served.
But I think it is more than that. It must have been the Spirit speaking as testimony to God’s Wisdom and power.
Anyway, I still go on to highlight belief or unbelief as a potential barrier to grow one’s faith.
But I think again. Belief is quite a tricky word. It really is.
Does someone believe because of what he has already seen?
This is usually the testimony of many. Most, if not, all believers, believe on the basis of some piece of evidence or witnessing. This actual evidence, indeed, helps to grow the belief in the believer’s mind.
But just resting on that alone, is just not enough to complete faith’s definition. For faith always speaks from an unseen place.
In fact, when someone rests on the belief just solely because of their historical accounts, there may be a hidden trap for that one. What if, just saying, there is no more evidence to look forward to in that one’s life? Does he change his position over time? Does he stop believing? Just resting on the material alone or the substance of that which is seen may deceive one to the point of losing faith entirely. I would go on to say, that the believer has faith, but it is the type of faith that still needs growing. For faith’s absolute definition must be reached. One must still believe despite not seeing any actual evidence.
I stay on the course of studying this word. For I myself, feel moved to study this word belief.
I think this word to be a very crucial word in the faith journey, for without belief, nothing can happen.
Now, one can say that he believes, yet in his heart, he does not truly believe. This is dangerous to think or even say. For it just attracts testing. And the enemy is more than willing to try that one. One has to be careful with what actually comes out of his mouth, for every word will certainly be tried. This is true.
If one indeed, does not believe, and he says he does not believe, then he speaks truth. What can one really do? Just because one does not believe or even understand today, does not mean that that one would remain in unbelief on that faithful day. This is left as a mystery for the Lord to complete His works.
If however, one is in doubt and is not sure, better that one remain silent. Don’t speak. Don’t say anything. For when the time is ripe, the Spirit will speak up for that one.
It is the Spirit who is speaking. The mouth (the body) is the physical instrument that allows the Spirit to speak.
If one is challenged in his faith, being mocked and ridiculed out of his faith, then that one should (in a much whispering voice) remain silent. Don’t say anything. Don’t even respond. Just hold to silence and keep peace. Wait for the Spirit to speak up.
In all cases then, it is not for man to declare his faith. No. It is the Spirit speaking and Wisdom will put the words in man's mouth when the time of opposition is ripe.
So, whether man believes or does not believe the Word of God, whatever the case, remain silent. Before answering anything, wait to be in line with and in one or communion with the Holy Spirit. It is important that man first waits for God's Spirit to speak. Allow the Spirit to perform a great thing in the mouth of God’s own.
It is the Spirit who holds the testimony of the true believer and Wisdom testifies to the Father. The only thing for man to do is to allow the Spirit to work through him.
One cannot force his way into belief. It is by faith that one believes. Yet, it is belief that takes man to greater heights in his faith journey. It is the work of the believer to actually ask the Lord for an increase in belief. Then the Father will release His work through His Spirit to raise the consciousness, and hence belief in Him. This is the same as conversion and increased sensitivity towards the presence of the Father.
I now go on to identify another source of struggle that one may face on one’s faith journey.
It deals with the idea of habit.
Habit can either be a useful tool or an impediment in one’s faith journey.
By default, man has a way to build habits for the purpose of bringing much comfort and convenience to the body. Through habits, man may actually grow subservient to the body. Man may grow as a slave to what the body most craves.
The body’s habit is something that may be viewed so subtly dangerous, and a trap that may prevent one from growing in faith.
The body carries with it the five main senses. But I would like to add one more. I would like to add on the emotional sense. All of these senses become free game and unfair advantage when it comes to striving towards living in the way of the Spirit. The enemy has at hand any of these senses to play with in either real life or in a dream. It is up to the believer to decipher what is real from what is fake.
I want to test this thought. If, by chance, one was to turn on any form of visual media and he was shown a particular video of a scene, would he believe? How does he know that what he is seeing through the device is actually real? How can he even test it? This is one of the senses played on, that is, the sense of sight. How can one know through video if the image of a person is the actual person? It would be impossible to come to some real conclusion. This is when faith takes its course. For if one, does not rely on what is seen, heard, felt, emotionally sensed, then this one is now starting to operate on faith’s currency. Operating through the absence of these senses means that faith is now starting to be at work in the believer.
In fact, one does not believe because he sees something, one believes because he has reached past the point of believing and achieved the point of knowing, which goes beyond the senses.
The problem with habit, is that the body is already geared to receive certain specific information, information that it was already used to receiving. When stimuli change, the body reflexively responds or reacts to these changes. Habit sets a trap.
One way, I can see one being ‘un-trapped’ by habit’s trap, is to formulate new instructions for the body’s training. One takes advantage of the ability of the body to be trained once fed certain instructions. Over time, the body has the capacity to alter responses and behaviour. Though, this is all done through faith. For it is Wisdom who plants these very instructions in the believer’s mind, training the body to respond when certain stimuli are shown or expressed. The Spirit is needed by the body to perform its work when formulating responses to certain actions or external stimuli.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10: 13)
The best way to go about bringing changing habits is just to ask the Lord Himself prayer. Then Wisdom will step in to personally guide that one into Her ways.
I highlight one final way in which faith becomes very much the struggle to grow. The element that I highlight is momentum. Momentum, this singular word is a very crucial word in the growth of anything really. It is the lack of momentum that serves as the stumbling block to reach into Wisdom’s ways.
Effort is really needed by the believer. There is an effort needed to continually read God’s Word, thereby being near enough to Him, to receive the kind of faith that He truly wishes to furnish His Children. It is by His very Book, that man draws near to the Father. When man reads His Word, on a continual basis, momentum is built and faith grows, with the potential to grow at astronomical heights.
But there is certainly the struggle to maintain that which was built or developed on a previous occasion.
That is, to say, one can never truly say or boast about their faith. No. Don’t go this way. For life will teach you a different lesson. Remember, humility is the key to open Wisdom’s doors to be truly fed. Complacency stagnates or even kills faith. Never rely on past achievements or growth to measure one’s present level of faith. For one never truly knows what tomorrow will bring. Not to mention that each one holds a blind spot or many blind spots, for that matter. One can never be too sure or certain about his faith in his spiritual walk.
It is the Spirit who holds, carries and guards man’s faith. Always remember this.
Man's faith is only as strong as what rests inside of Him and it is Christ Himself who rests within. Never forget this.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31: 8)
Man’s work, therefore, is to keep ensuring that he provides a much welcoming and loving home for the Spirit to reside in him.
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14: 23)
Remember, faith comes with the Father’s Spirit. Man is not the holder of the faith. The Spirit is the One who carries man’s true faith. For the Spirit carries the faith of Christ!
Man is tasked, then, all his life. What is his biggest task? Man’s task is to keep the momentum of the Spirit running in his veins. Every single day, man has work to keep the Spirit. And the easiest way to maintain the Spirit’s residence is to stay close to the Word Himself. For the Word is Spirit.
So, what have I learnt?
Well, above all else, it is the Father’s Spirit who I rely on to feed me in my faith journey and I listen to Wisdom’s teaching trying my very best to apply all that she has taught me. It does not go without saying that to keep Wisdom as my friend and greatest companion, is also to keep the Law; God’s Law beside me. This is what I have learnt.
I read from the book of Hebrews Chapter eleven:
1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
3 “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
7 “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household...
13 “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth
From the above definition and description, while taking into account other perspectives that were previously explored, I now take the time to think through what indeed, the above verses are actually saying. I wait for the moment while I sit to think.
From my understanding, man was given the Word of God; that bit of instructional material that would be man’s guiding light to live according to Life’s way.
But the physical material alone is not sufficient enough to lead man in this way of living. No. This is not case. It is not as though a teacher just walks into his classroom, giving a lesson for the day, and the student just readily grasps all that the teacher has to say. It is not like that.
If I pick up a book to read. I have a choice.
I may decide to never the read the book
I could also decide to just watch the front and back ends
I may also decide to just stick to one section of the book
I may also decide to just mark up and colour in the book
Or I may decide to read through the book
Regardless of what I do, regardless of what I read or do not read, the words mentioned may go as far as the mind of the writer of that book. Some books, especially academic ones, are more factual than anything else. At worst, it can possibly be speculative or predictive in nature.
But there is something that stands out to me when I compare a book, any book, to the one written by ‘The’ True Author. The big difference is the need or requirement of faith needed to be present in order to truly receive the words written by ‘The’ True Author. For the Law Book is just not only a Law Book, like any other book. No! This Book is actually Spirit. Yes, Spirit!
Now, I do not know about you, but it must take a great deal of faith to even accept or hold the above statement as true. I look for the Author’s words explaining Himself.
I read from the book of John Chapter six:
55 My flesh is really food and my blood is drink.
56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me and I in them.
57 Just as the Father, who is life, sent me and I have life from the Father, so whoever eats me will have life from me.
58 This is the bread which came from heaven; unlike that of your ancestors, who ate and later died. Those who eat this bread will live forever.”
60 After hearing this, many of Jesus’ followers said, “This language is very hard! Who can accept it?”
63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh cannot help. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
67 Jesus asked the Twelve, “Will you also go away?”
68 Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Can one imagine that? Words are spirit and are of a nature characteristic of eternal life.
I immediately think myself to these other verses.
I pull up the words taken from the book of Wisdom Chapter seven:
21 I have come to know everything we see and everything hidden, because Wisdom, who designed them all, taught me.
25 She is a breath of the power of God, a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; nothing impure can enter her.
26 She is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of God’s action and an image of his goodness.
27 She is but one, yet Wisdom can do all things and herself, unchanging, she renews all things…
I now link these two sets of passages. Wisdom is the binding element or glue that allows the words of the Law Book to stay within the memory of the reader. Ten different persons may pick the book up to read the exact same verse, yet it is Wisdom who opens the door to much interpretation.
She has the art of interpretation and knows how to solve riddles, she foresees signs and wonders, the end of ages and eras. (Wisdom 8: 8)
Now, there is never really an end as to how far one may read into this Law Book. For the words written in it, spans all of eternity. There is just no end as to how far and wide Wisdom spreads her wings to bring revelations to the reader.
I would have pure delight through friendship with her, inexhaustible riches in what she does, understanding from being in her company… (Wisdom 8: 18)
But what exactly is the definition of riches?
I go on to read from the book of Wisdom Chapter eight:
5 If we desire riches in life, what is richer than Wisdom who is the active cause of everything?
7 If you love righteousness, every virtue is the fruit of her labour, for she teaches temperance, prudence, justice, fortitude- all that is most valuable in life.
It must mean then, that the objective of this Law Book, after reading its content is to bring forth these fruits in the person of the reader.
I probe this thought some more.
One may have various uses of the Script, but from what I read, it seems to me, the most important objective after this reading and studying the Book is to attain and retain the teachings of Wisdom.
But what exactly is She teaching?
One is known to be the student when he starts to display in sound manner her many fruits. For She teaches temperance, prudence, justice, fortitude.
I also remember the words of Paul taken from the second letter of Peter Chapter one:
5 So, strive with the greatest determination and increase your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge,
6 knowledge with moderation, moderation with constancy, constancy with piety,
7 piety with mutual affection, mutual affection with charity.
8 If all of these riches are in you so as to abound in you, … , you will rather be rooted in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.
In this case, Paul repeats the riches given to man by Wisdom. And for man, Wisdom is knowledge of His Law.
So, now, I recapitulate here, that the main objective is to reach within Wisdom’s ways. It is by faith, however, that one is even allowed to reach as far.
Though this be the objective, I now go on to express how very difficult it can be to even reach a solid point of faith as a believer.
I concur. I am not talking about the faith required to gain earthly riches. This is not, by any means, my study of faith and the path that I have chosen to walk. No. This is not the case.
The faith that I am talking about is trying to reach within Wisdom’s ways. That is, learning how to walk and operate in the Spirit; God’s Spirit. It is Wisdom through faith that this can even be a possibility.
So, now I work to highlight the struggles of faith.
I go back to the book of John and I re-read again Chapter six:
63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh cannot help. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
64 But among you there are some who do not believe.”
Verse sixty-four identifies one of the greatest struggles of faith: belief.
I study the word belief for now.
I find belief to be rather tricky in nature.
How does one truly know that he believes?
I take a look at Peter’s response to this thought.
I read again from the book of John Chapter six:
67 Jesus asked the Twelve, “Will you also go away?”
68 Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69 We now believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
What would have caused Peter to speak with so much confidence in his belief of the Word?
I would imagine that the disciples received a great deal of teaching, mixed in with experiential learning, being a follower of Christ. These students most likely had the experience of internship while Christ Jesus served.
But I think it is more than that. It must have been the Spirit speaking as testimony to God’s Wisdom and power.
Anyway, I still go on to highlight belief or unbelief as a potential barrier to grow one’s faith.
But I think again. Belief is quite a tricky word. It really is.
Does someone believe because of what he has already seen?
This is usually the testimony of many. Most, if not, all believers, believe on the basis of some piece of evidence or witnessing. This actual evidence, indeed, helps to grow the belief in the believer’s mind.
But just resting on that alone, is just not enough to complete faith’s definition. For faith always speaks from an unseen place.
In fact, when someone rests on the belief just solely because of their historical accounts, there may be a hidden trap for that one. What if, just saying, there is no more evidence to look forward to in that one’s life? Does he change his position over time? Does he stop believing? Just resting on the material alone or the substance of that which is seen may deceive one to the point of losing faith entirely. I would go on to say, that the believer has faith, but it is the type of faith that still needs growing. For faith’s absolute definition must be reached. One must still believe despite not seeing any actual evidence.
I stay on the course of studying this word. For I myself, feel moved to study this word belief.
I think this word to be a very crucial word in the faith journey, for without belief, nothing can happen.
Now, one can say that he believes, yet in his heart, he does not truly believe. This is dangerous to think or even say. For it just attracts testing. And the enemy is more than willing to try that one. One has to be careful with what actually comes out of his mouth, for every word will certainly be tried. This is true.
If one indeed, does not believe, and he says he does not believe, then he speaks truth. What can one really do? Just because one does not believe or even understand today, does not mean that that one would remain in unbelief on that faithful day. This is left as a mystery for the Lord to complete His works.
If however, one is in doubt and is not sure, better that one remain silent. Don’t speak. Don’t say anything. For when the time is ripe, the Spirit will speak up for that one.
It is the Spirit who is speaking. The mouth (the body) is the physical instrument that allows the Spirit to speak.
If one is challenged in his faith, being mocked and ridiculed out of his faith, then that one should (in a much whispering voice) remain silent. Don’t say anything. Don’t even respond. Just hold to silence and keep peace. Wait for the Spirit to speak up.
In all cases then, it is not for man to declare his faith. No. It is the Spirit speaking and Wisdom will put the words in man's mouth when the time of opposition is ripe.
So, whether man believes or does not believe the Word of God, whatever the case, remain silent. Before answering anything, wait to be in line with and in one or communion with the Holy Spirit. It is important that man first waits for God's Spirit to speak. Allow the Spirit to perform a great thing in the mouth of God’s own.
It is the Spirit who holds the testimony of the true believer and Wisdom testifies to the Father. The only thing for man to do is to allow the Spirit to work through him.
One cannot force his way into belief. It is by faith that one believes. Yet, it is belief that takes man to greater heights in his faith journey. It is the work of the believer to actually ask the Lord for an increase in belief. Then the Father will release His work through His Spirit to raise the consciousness, and hence belief in Him. This is the same as conversion and increased sensitivity towards the presence of the Father.
I now go on to identify another source of struggle that one may face on one’s faith journey.
It deals with the idea of habit.
Habit can either be a useful tool or an impediment in one’s faith journey.
By default, man has a way to build habits for the purpose of bringing much comfort and convenience to the body. Through habits, man may actually grow subservient to the body. Man may grow as a slave to what the body most craves.
The body’s habit is something that may be viewed so subtly dangerous, and a trap that may prevent one from growing in faith.
The body carries with it the five main senses. But I would like to add one more. I would like to add on the emotional sense. All of these senses become free game and unfair advantage when it comes to striving towards living in the way of the Spirit. The enemy has at hand any of these senses to play with in either real life or in a dream. It is up to the believer to decipher what is real from what is fake.
I want to test this thought. If, by chance, one was to turn on any form of visual media and he was shown a particular video of a scene, would he believe? How does he know that what he is seeing through the device is actually real? How can he even test it? This is one of the senses played on, that is, the sense of sight. How can one know through video if the image of a person is the actual person? It would be impossible to come to some real conclusion. This is when faith takes its course. For if one, does not rely on what is seen, heard, felt, emotionally sensed, then this one is now starting to operate on faith’s currency. Operating through the absence of these senses means that faith is now starting to be at work in the believer.
In fact, one does not believe because he sees something, one believes because he has reached past the point of believing and achieved the point of knowing, which goes beyond the senses.
The problem with habit, is that the body is already geared to receive certain specific information, information that it was already used to receiving. When stimuli change, the body reflexively responds or reacts to these changes. Habit sets a trap.
One way, I can see one being ‘un-trapped’ by habit’s trap, is to formulate new instructions for the body’s training. One takes advantage of the ability of the body to be trained once fed certain instructions. Over time, the body has the capacity to alter responses and behaviour. Though, this is all done through faith. For it is Wisdom who plants these very instructions in the believer’s mind, training the body to respond when certain stimuli are shown or expressed. The Spirit is needed by the body to perform its work when formulating responses to certain actions or external stimuli.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10: 13)
The best way to go about bringing changing habits is just to ask the Lord Himself prayer. Then Wisdom will step in to personally guide that one into Her ways.
I highlight one final way in which faith becomes very much the struggle to grow. The element that I highlight is momentum. Momentum, this singular word is a very crucial word in the growth of anything really. It is the lack of momentum that serves as the stumbling block to reach into Wisdom’s ways.
Effort is really needed by the believer. There is an effort needed to continually read God’s Word, thereby being near enough to Him, to receive the kind of faith that He truly wishes to furnish His Children. It is by His very Book, that man draws near to the Father. When man reads His Word, on a continual basis, momentum is built and faith grows, with the potential to grow at astronomical heights.
But there is certainly the struggle to maintain that which was built or developed on a previous occasion.
That is, to say, one can never truly say or boast about their faith. No. Don’t go this way. For life will teach you a different lesson. Remember, humility is the key to open Wisdom’s doors to be truly fed. Complacency stagnates or even kills faith. Never rely on past achievements or growth to measure one’s present level of faith. For one never truly knows what tomorrow will bring. Not to mention that each one holds a blind spot or many blind spots, for that matter. One can never be too sure or certain about his faith in his spiritual walk.
It is the Spirit who holds, carries and guards man’s faith. Always remember this.
Man's faith is only as strong as what rests inside of Him and it is Christ Himself who rests within. Never forget this.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31: 8)
Man’s work, therefore, is to keep ensuring that he provides a much welcoming and loving home for the Spirit to reside in him.
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14: 23)
Remember, faith comes with the Father’s Spirit. Man is not the holder of the faith. The Spirit is the One who carries man’s true faith. For the Spirit carries the faith of Christ!
Man is tasked, then, all his life. What is his biggest task? Man’s task is to keep the momentum of the Spirit running in his veins. Every single day, man has work to keep the Spirit. And the easiest way to maintain the Spirit’s residence is to stay close to the Word Himself. For the Word is Spirit.
So, what have I learnt?
Well, above all else, it is the Father’s Spirit who I rely on to feed me in my faith journey and I listen to Wisdom’s teaching trying my very best to apply all that she has taught me. It does not go without saying that to keep Wisdom as my friend and greatest companion, is also to keep the Law; God’s Law beside me. This is what I have learnt.
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