THOSE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD Part 26

“Those who know their God will be strong and do great things.” Dan 11:32

WHAT DO PEOPLE DO TO KNOW GOD?

If there is anything that we need within the body of Christ, it is the spirit of faith. So, where does faith come from? Faith that casts out devils, heals the sick, and causes people to be convicted by the gospel is not something you can work up – it must be soaked up! Romans 10:17 says, “Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

So why does it say hearing and hearing? Why doesn’t it merely say hearing? This Scripture speaks of two stages to hearing. Before there is a revelation of a message from God, you must first hear the message. So when it says faith comes by hearing, it means that whether through reading or listening, you are coming into contact with the truth of God (stage 1). But then it goes on to say, “and hearing by the Word of God.” The Greek word used for Word of God is the word rhema. Rhema is a specific word from God from the entire Bible (the logos) spoken directly and specifically to you. Rhema is a revealed word for your particular life. Therefore, to have faith, you must come into contact with the word, and then, at some point, there must be a revealing of that word.

When a word from God is revealed to you is when you become responsible for it. God is now giving you divine revelation, and you must accept it! Paul taught the Galatian church regarding the subject of faith, saying, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you.” Colossians 1:3-6

According to this Scripture, faith and love spring from the hope that comes from the word of truth, the gospel. While in the wilderness, Jesus was able to defeat Satan because of his revelation of the word of God. So it is with you and me.

Early on in my marriage, my wife and I had a life-changing encounter with a demon. It was such an intense moment that I screamed so hard and so long that I lost my voice for a month. It took me a year to get over the fear of wondering if we would encounter that demon again. The first thing I did after this encounter was to put Scripture up all over my house. Every Scripture that spoke of our authority over the enemy and our standing inside of God’s protection went up on walls, ceilings, and cupboards. After much meditation upon the word of God, I came to the stark realization that nobody could defeat the devil for me. I found out that I could defeat him with God’s word!

I soon recognized that if the devil could have beat me, he would have already done it. Satan did not have the power to kill me or to take my soul to hell; he was only trying to get me to live in his dungeon of fear. Through the word of God, I took authority over him! I realized that I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength! Philippians 4:13 I also learned that greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4 I also became fortified with the revelation that God had given me power over snakes, scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Luke 10:19

Faith began to arise in my soul, and I began to be a threat to the enemy. No longer was I running from him – he was running from me! I realized I had the power to cast him out! I realized that God truly was my protection! Before going to sleep, I often quoted what David said in Psalm 4:8. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, make me dwell in safety.”

So, where does faith come from? From my experience, I can assure you that…

FAITH COMES FROM THE WORD OF GOD