A Dangerous Misunderstanding
It is common to hear the phrase “we need to have more faith.” It is even common to tell ourselves we need to “have more faith,” but while this phrase is well-meaning, it is often misleading.
This call to “have more faith” is misleading because it can lead us to believe the exact opposite of what God tells us….
Jesus even told His disciples that they don’t need more faith, when they asked Him to help them have more faith. (Luke 17:5-6)
I understand where this idea to “have more faith” came from, because we are told to “just have faith” & so that often translates into, “well then, I need to have MORE faith, then!”
You may be thinking, “okay, but is it really a “dangerous” misunderstanding?” Most certainly yes!
God made a point to include this quick exchange between Jesus & His disciples because He knew we are prone to place the burden on ourselves instead of on Him… That Satan would exploit situations where we don’t get what we pray for, convincing us that it’s all our fault & if we just had more faith THEN we would get what we want from God….
It’s no bueno (no good). The rally cry for “more faith” really teaches us to have more faith in OURSELVES, if you think about it.
Listen to the Bible
The Bible expresses to us that we actually DON’T need more faith, as Jesus said in Luke 17… but that what we need is faith more often… & even a corrected perspective of God, based on God’s Word–the Bible.
I grew up believing the lie to “have more faith,” believing that everything relied upon me believing in God hard enough… placing the burden on my own shoulders.
And while God does tell us repeatedly to submit to Him & His way… & to place our hope & trust in Him, which is also hard sometimes, God never tells us that His work depends on US believing “enough,” because it doesn’t.
“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ & it will move; & nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)
Jesus says this because He knows the Truth that God’s working is not reliant on the power of our faith, but on HIS POWER.
So much of the Bible is spent highlighting all the many scenarios in which we should stop trusting in our plan, our wisdom, our way, our efforts… & instead, LEARN to trust GOD & do what GOD says.
God Does What He Says He Will. Period.
You see, our level of faith or the amount of faith we have does not add to or take away from God’s power. His action or inaction is not hinging on this “more faith.”
He works according to His promises. Period. He does what He says He will. Period. And He will do so every single time. Period.
In reading “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee (short book, but Powerful Insight–highly recommend), the author even gives us this hint in saying that because God is faithful to His promises 100% of the time, our petitions should contain less pleading & more praising, knowing that we do not have to convince God to do what He says He will do.
So, when we use this phrase of “we need to have more faith,” we need to also understand this to mean that we do not need more faith, but rather, we need to have faith more often.
Don’t Doubt God… & Pray/Ask According to His Promises
My prayers growing up expressed my misunderstanding of this phrase because I constantly felt like “God must not have answered my way because I am not believing hard enough in Him.”
Well, the Bible tells us that we do not get what we ask because we ask amiss (James 4:3), which means that if we are asking for something that is not in God’s perfect wisdom & will, to use selfishly or self-centeredly, then we won’t get it.
And PRAISE God for that! Because when we ask “amiss” it is because we are thinking & planning & solving in just our limited perspective, knowledge, & understanding, whereas God sees, knows, & understands literally EVERYTHING past, present, AND future. So, PRAISE God that He does not give us what we ask when we “ask amiss.”
God knows the perfect answer to everything, even if it’s not how we’ve decided is best.
We are also instructed to pray without doubting (James 1:6), meaning that if we know God promised something & so we ask Him to carry it out in a certain situation accordingly, doubting is basically asserting the idea that God may not be faithful, which is offensive & dishonoring at best. So, when you ask, ask in faith, trusting God to keep His Word.
Not More Faith, But Faith More Often
But, you might be wondering, how can we insure that we don’t “ask amiss” & how do we avoid doubting God will answer us a certain way?
The simple answer? We need to study God’s Word, memorize it, & get to know it. We need to spend time with God & His Truth–the Bible.
We need to get to know the Bible & His promises to then know how to ask rightly & with CONFIDENCE, without doubting, to ask God of things we know He will carry out. And as our fruit, we can begin to have faith MORE OFTEN.
Shine HOPE by having faith more often.
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.
As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.
A Note from Michelle:
This blog/website has been running for THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Andean Drop Earrings (Peru)
Handcrafted by our newest Artisan partners in Peru, these unique statement earrings are showstoppers with 24k gold-plated oval studs & framed teardrop chrysocolla stones. Hammered metal & natural variations of swirling green chrysocolla add “Old World” charm to these ethically made earrings. (Designed to pair with our Andean Ring.)
Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty in Peru.
How You Can Help:
SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!
