Faith is foundational to the believer’s life, and understanding how it works is essential for walking in God’s promises. Biblical faith is trust and confidence in God based on His character and His promises revealed in the scripture. It’s not just intellectual agreement or wishful thinking, but a deep reliance on God Himself—a relationship of surrender, obedience, and hope. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” It means believing God’s Word is true and living in a way that reflects that belief, even when circumstances don’t yet show the outcome (2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight”).
We grow our faith by continually hearing, studying, and meditating on God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Joshua 1:8 encourages us to meditate on God’s Word “day and night,” promising that doing so will lead to prosperity and success in following Him.
Practically, this means setting aside daily time—even if just a few minutes—to read the scripture and quietly reflect on God’s promises. Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Keeping a journal of verses that encourage you, or writing down prayers and answers, can help internalise God’s faithfulness and renew your mind (Romans 12:2).
Prayer is also vital—not to manipulate God, but to deepen our dependence and align our hearts with His will. Philippians 4:6–7 instructs us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When you feel anxious or uncertain, bring those feelings honestly to God, trusting that He hears you and is working even when you can’t see it (1 Peter 5:7 – “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you”).
Faith grows through obedience and experience. James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” When we step out in trust—even in small ways, such as forgiving someone (Ephesians 4:32), sharing your testimony (1 Peter 3:15), or serving despite discomfort (Galatians 5:13)—our faith is strengthened as we witness God’s faithfulness in real life. Hebrews 11:6 declares that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
Challenges and trials also play a vital role in building faith. Romans 5:3–5 teaches us that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame.” Difficult seasons are not signs of weak faith—they are often the very soil in which deeper faith takes root (James 1:2–4). When trials come, remind yourself of past moments when God carried you through, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you hold on to that truth (John 14:26).
In summary, biblical faith is a living, growing trust in God that begins with His Word, is nurtured by relationship with Him, and matures through obedience and life’s experiences. It’s always rooted in God’s unchanging character (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), not in our own efforts or emotions. As you practice these steps daily, you’ll find your faith becoming stronger, steadier, and more joyful—even amid life’s uncertainties (Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you”).
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk