A Strong Faith

 By Dan C Bailey

    We read in Mark 9:14-32 about an incident in which the disciples were unable to cast out an evil or a "dumb and deaf spirit." A father had brought his son to be healed, but to no avail. When Jesus arrived at the scene the scribes were apparently questioning the disciples about their failure. Jesus stated, "... O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me" (Mark 9:19).

    They brought the son unto Jesus, and when Jesus saw him, "..., straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming" (Mark 9:20). The father pleaded for compassion from the Lord, and Jesus answered him. "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:23-24). Here was a man who wanted to believe and to some extent did believe, but his faith was weak and needed to be strengthened.

    Sometimes Christians are very much like this father. We believe in God. We believe in Christ and the Spirit of God. We believe that angels exist, and we believe in a heavenly world, but sometimes our faith seems to weaken. When this happens we need to do several things.

    We need to read and to study the Bible more often. God's word will produce a strong faith if we will let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord' (Colossians 3:16).

    We need to pray more frequently and more fervently. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). The child of God who prays often to the Father will have a much stronger faith than one who seldom bows the knee in prayer. "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17). Every prayer should spring forth from a heart having faith in God and in His providence. "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime" (Daniel 6:10). If we fail to pray, what does that say about our faith?

    A strong faith is the result of a determined effort to please God. Truly, without faith we can not please our heavenly Father. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

    We need to purpose or determine in our hearts that we want to have a stronger faith in God. When our determinations  is coupled with frequent and fervent prayer, along with diligent Bible study, the inevitable result will be a stronger faith.

    But there is still another avenue for having a stronger faith in the Lord. We need to spend time with established faithful Christians who have endured the hardships of life. We can be strengthened in faith by their teaching and example. The success of others is an encouragement to our faith.

    Brethren let us seriously strive to have a stronger faith. The Devil is powerful and deceitful. He is seeking to devour us at all times. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:8). A strong faith can be our shield in the battle against Satan. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16). A strong faith puts us on the winning side. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). If we have a strong faith we shall be victorious, but a weak faith is sure to fail.

-Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Homeag