How to Grow Your Faith in God
Faith is more than belief—it’s movement. But how do we live in faith daily? Discover four biblical principles from Hebrews 11 that will strengthen and fuel your faith.
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By Faith
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And 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.
How to Move in Faith?
Moving in faith is a living faith; it’s alive. Living faith isn’t static, nor is it a noun. Faith is a verb. For faith to be alive in us, it requires the right alignment and fuel, so let’s dig into that. What exactly fuels faith, and how can we align ourselves to experience its full power in our lives?
1) Living Faith is Fueled by Conviction & Evidence
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
The way Scripture describes faith isn’t faith for the sake of faith to conjure a result. Notice the text, “faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” That describes a conviction due to the evidence of Scripture testifying in one’s life, which fuels conviction and faith. It’s not a recklessness or carelessness that hopes for the best. Instead, it’s an inward conviction at work in a believer’s life that is the resulting outpouring of what God revealed and promised to be faithful to in Scripture.
As a teenager, the lake near my home, Lake Guntersville, froze. Taking the initial step out onto the frozen lake was an act of faith, but it wasn’t my faith that kept me from falling into freezing water; instead, it was the ice’s thickness.
It’s the same with us. It’s not our faith in and of itself that saves us, but our confidence in Jesus’ work. Faith doesn’t conjure results because you have faith; faith is effective because of the object of faith: Jesus Christ Himself and His Living Word.
This is why the author of Hebrews described it as “the assurance of things hoped for,” which is a specific reference to the hope that we have not only now but also in the future because of who is in control. I recognize that sounds cliche, but that’s what Scripture affirms.
Martin Luther describes this faith memorably in his Preface to Romans. He wrote:
“Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake his life on it a thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in God’s grace makes [us] glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and with all creatures. This is the work which the Holy Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise to God who has shown him this grace.”
George Muller, a man of great faith, ran an orphanage in England during the 1800s. When the food ran out, he would gather the children at the empty tables, give thanks for the food, and pray for delivery. Many times, there’d be a knock at the door, and someone, moved by God, would bring the needed food for the children.
We can often magnify George Mueller’s faith, and while that’s good, let’s look at the deeper matter and affirm God’s greatness. God provided for those children because Scripture teaches us to care for the widows and orphans. We can learn from this because faith is fueled by conviction. Mueller’s conviction was based upon God’s Word. When we pray according to God’s will, He hears us. Prayer is the language of faith, and God’s Word is the vocabulary of faith.
2) Living Faith is Fueled by the Testimony of Other Believers
“For by it the people of old received their commendation.” Hebrews 11:2
Many great saints are listed in Hebrews 11: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.
That list is a bit of a “biblical hall of fame.” Yet, multiple times in this chapter, the Lord repeats that these persons deserve to be commended. So, why would God list these people?
As you read the “Hall of Fame” list in this chapter, do you see those names and think, “I’m not like them”? If you don’t identify with them, I want to lovingly push back and say, “Yes, you can.” We’re all like them!
Scripture is clear that being faithful doesn’t mean you’re perfect or sinless. Look at that list in Hebrews 11 and remember that none were perfect. In fact, their imperfections are recorded in Scripture. Moses had some serious failures. David had some serious failures. Rahab had a past. Yet, as God worked redemptively in their lives, these persons pleased the Lord. They all failed, and many of them even failed repeatedly, but they were full of faith.
But it also testifies that sometimes we hit rock bottom. When you hit a low point in your heart, God uses that circumstance or event redemptively so that you can look up to God from your heart. Through faith, the Lord works redemptive threads. While spiritual battles may be great, God’s grace is greater.
Through the gift of faith and what God promised in His Word, the Christian has a greater power. One of those powers is a blessing upon one’s life, even amid persecution and strife. That blessing manifests itself as peace anchored to the believer amid storms.
For the believer, know that of all the biblical heroes listed in Hebrews 11, these saints fuel your faith. Just as there are prayer warriors, mighty worshippers, and Godly individuals in your life today, we can learn from their walk with Jesus and have our faith fueled by them.
3) Living Faith in God’s Word Increases Our Understanding
“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Hebrews 11:3
We can acknowledge that it wouldn’t be irrational to question someone if they told us, “If you’d just believe, you’d understand more.” Yet, the Hebrews author reasons that your understanding of God opens and deepens when you move in faith.
Let’s use an illustration to unpack that.
Picture the difficulty a substitute teacher has when enacting an absent teacher’s lesson plans. Without spending a considerable amount of time with the real teacher, a substitute can read the instructions yet end up guessing their way through a lesson plan. The difficulty increases if the class chooses to disrespect the substitute and ignore their attempts to teach the prepared lessons.
If we can’t get into someone’s head to understand their thought patterns and processes, it can be difficult for us to enact their will and go about their business. This is no different with God. However, we can know God’s will better by trusting and spending time with Him.
“. . . the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
By believing, we open our understanding to a greater extent. Augustine said, “I believe in order to understand.” The author of Hebrews reminds us of this truth, and that’s why the psalmist wrote, “In the light of God, we see the light of God” (Psalm 36:9). We have the capacity to see more light. The Word of God is powerful.
4) Living Faith Involves God’s Rewards
“And 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.” Hebrews 11:6 (emphasis added)
That verse is too good to be true and too true to ignore, which begs the question: Are you aware of the benefits of knowing and following Jesus? Look at the NIV translation: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
The author reiterates that faith isn’t passive; it’s intentional. For someone to “earnestly seek” means a fiery approach and indicates an intentionality that comes with passion. That word “earnestly” is powerful. In this context, it means that you will continually pursue God by faith with all your heart and days. When we live this way, our faith becomes strong, like a muscle that is exercised daily.
Romans 10:17 explains what fuels our faith: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” You can’t conjure your faith; it must be rooted in the substance and evidence of God’s Word. These are the building blocks of faith.
Suppose you’ve never heard the Gospel before, and someone begins to share it with you. For the first time, you’re hearing these verses that they could share:
“To all who receive him, to those who have believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31
“By grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
These verses present a God who loves you and isn’t asking you to appease Him. He created the heavens and universe, but He wants a relationship with you that will birth you into eternity.
When our faith is activated and we trust God through what Jesus did on the cross, what is our reward? Jesus, the Son of God. Eternity. You’re no longer separated from God; instead, you’re birthed into an eternal realm where you will inherit a new heaven and earth. For many, especially Western Christians, it’s easy to take that for granted.
Galatians 3:11 tells us the just shall live by faith. God’s people are instructed to move in faith to continue our development.
If you want a healthy body, give it a healthy diet.
If you want your computer to heighten efficiency, load it with the right software.
If you want a vibrant faith, feed it with God’s Word.
Faith comes by hearing God’s Word, and living faith is fueled by the knowledge and understanding of His Word. God is faithful to reward those who seek Him.
The Key to Walking in Faith Every Day
Picture this: You’re in the middle of a lake, and the marina is just in the distance, where you can see the shore and its safety. However, you’re standing in two boats; your left foot is in a boat with holes, and it’s sinking. Your right foot is in a perfectly functioning boat. If you choose to stay with the hole-filled boat, you will sink. Clearly, you must move out of the sinking boat and into the functioning boat.
The boat without holes represents Jesus Christ, and the boat with holes represents the mindset of the world. Scripture says a double-minded person is unstable in all his or her ways. Living like this is not a good direction, and it won’t bring you through the buoys and into the marina. We have a choice to make. Will we lift ourselves out of that which would cause us to be double-minded and be all in for the person of Jesus Christ?
“The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38
Faith in who? Faith in Jesus. Faith in the revelation of His Word. A faith that aligns with Hebrews 11:1-6 and is rooted in conviction and evidence. A faith fueled by the testimony of God working in those around you and those who’ve gone before us. A faith that is deepened as we allow the light of God to permeate our hearts and grow our understanding of His ways. A faith that is fueled by knowing a day is coming when there will be a great reward.
Lord, may we be a people who move in faith in a way that our lives reflect God’s glory as we walk this out.
TL;DR
Faith isn’t static—it’s a movement.
Hebrews 11:1-6 teaches that a living faith is fueled by conviction and evidence, not blind optimism.
The testimony of past believers strengthens our faith, reminding us that faithfulness doesn’t mean perfection.
Moving in faith deepens our understanding of God’s Word, as belief opens the door to greater spiritual insight.
God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, making faith both a journey and a promise. Living by faith means stepping out in trust, fueled by God’s truth and His faithfulness.
