How do we grow our faith? What does God say and what have godly Christians throughout history experienced about how to develop and mature our faith. Here are 10 principles that can help you to grow your faith.
1) ASK & PRAY TO GOD FOR MORE FAITH
God is the source of every good gift. We can pray and ask Him for faith!
“The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” Luke 17:5 NLT
2) READ/LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD
The Bible tells us that faith starts with learning about Jesus by testimonies of others or reading.
“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” Romans 10:17
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31
3) OBEY GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS
Faith dies if we don’t practice God’s principles. So godly living is essential to real faith and grows when we see how God’s principles work in real life.
“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead…. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:17-18, NKJV).
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22.
4) JOIN A COMMUNITY OF STRONG BELIEVERS
It’s very important to be part of a godly community, so you can hear how God has rewarded the faith of others, so you can learn more principles to grow in Christianity and more.
“Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
5) BUILD EACH OTHER UP
A godly community will also help you build up your faith in God.
“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,” Jude 1:20
6) TRUST & FOLLOW GOD WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND
Sometimes we won’t understand why God asks us to do something at first. But every time we follow God and see that His plans are for the best (Jer. 29:11), our faith and trust in Him will grow.
“By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
7) TALK FAITH
When we talk in obedience to God, then we can talk of what God has done, and encourage ourselves and others even more in faith. Speaking about faith is also one aspect of genuine salvation according to the Bible.
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
8) ENDURE THROUGH TRIALS
Difficulties develop faith. Sometimes there is no where else to turn except God and He helps us endure through trials. Sometimes faith grows from trials because we see God do miracles to help us escape troubles.
“Consider it wholly joyful…whenever you…encounter trials of any sort. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience…so that you may be perfectly and fully developed, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
9) REPENT & TRUST GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Repentance is connected to faith. When we ask for God’s forgiveness of our sins, and He cleanses us, our faith in His power to change lives grows more and more.
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9
10) REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR HIS PEOPLE AND YOU
Faith grows when we share or hear testimonies of what God has done.
“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” 2 Timothy 1:5
“Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.” Hebrews 13:7
These are some ways that faith grows in the Bible, but there are probably others. Dig deeper into God’s word and share how God helps our faith grow and how He has helped your faith grow!