Faith Comes From Hearing

Last Sunday, I preached on Acts chapter 6. In the passage, the apostles delegated responsibility of congregational care so that they could focus on “prayer and the ministry of the word”.

This got me thinking.

How often do I focus on “prayer and the ministry of the word” in my own life? I love proclaiming God’s Word, and I have a very high view of its inerrancy and authority in all things. But if I’m honest with myself, there’s still a deficiency in how much I fill myself with God’s Word and spend time in prayer.

Paul says in Romans 10:17 that “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

I wonder if the enemy of faith isn’t doubt, but routine. We get busy, we get bored, and we get in a rut. That rut leads to anxiety, frustration, and discouragement. And we get numb to what we’re hearing every day. Faith comes from hearing. What are you listening to? Are you listening to the complaining of people around you? Are you listening to subtle messages that say selfishness is okay? Are you listening to friends and family who talk you down and drain your spiritual energy?

The solution is the ministry of the word and prayer. We need to change what we’re hearing, so we can increase our faith. Are you hearing the word of Christ every day? Are you filling your mind and heart with His word, so you can find the faith, hope, and love you need to make it through the day? If you’re not, then your discouragement isn’t God’s fault.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3) As we grow in the knowledge of him who called us, we access all the things He’s granted us for life and godliness.

Are you growing today? The ministry of the word and prayer is the only way.