Faith Comes By Hearing

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17

Such simple words, but what do they really mean? These words are essentially the foundation of our belief in Jesus. As Christ often stated, “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear,” (Mark 7:16).

Faith Comes By Hearing The Word of God

We obtain faith, which is our trust, hope, and assurance in Jesus by hearing the Word of God. However, if we do not hear His Word with understanding, we will never obtain a solid faith in Christ which brings Salvation, (Romans 10:9).

Now, I want you to notice the word hearing is used twice, this makes it important, and we should understand what the word means. For our purpose, “hearing” means to “give audience” and “understand”.

Some people hear the Word of God by simply being apart of an “audience” when the Word is taught. While others hear and “understand” the Word of God, and apply it to their lives. There is a big difference there.

Hearing And The Parable Of The Sower

We can find a great example of hearing in the Parable of the Sower. In Luke 8:4-8, Jesus explains a sower sowed seeds;

  • By The Road
  • By The Rock
  • By The Thorns
  • By Good Ground

Jesus closed by saying, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,” (Luke 8:8). Of course, the Disciples did not understand this Parable, so Christ explained it and started by stating, “The seed is the word of God,” (Luke 8:9-15).

The People By The Road

These people heard the Word of God by simply being an “audience” for it.

They heard the Message, but they did not apply it to their lives. Instead, they allowed themselves to become distracted and His Word never took root. Then came temptation and “The devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts,” (Luke 8:12).

When we hear the Word of God, we have to be focused and hear with understanding. Otherwise, the temptations of the world will draw us away from God.

The People By The Rock

These people also heard the Word of God in the sense of “giving an audience”. They truly did not understand it, while they ‘received the word with joy’, it was simply something new and exciting in their life.

In time, and without faith and understanding, temptation came, and they fell away from God, (Luke 8:13).

The People By The Thorns

Unfortunately, these people fall into the same category as those above. They simply heard in the sense of “giving an audience” to the Word of God. After they heard it, they went away and were “Choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life,” (Luke 8:14).

The People On Good Ground

Finally, we have the people on good ground who heard the Word of God with “understanding”.

Those “Which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience,” (Luke 8:15). It is these people who are blessed by God, (Luke 11:28).

Hearing With Understanding

It then becomes obvious, everyone except those on good ground did not hear the word of God with “understanding”, they were simply an “audience” for it. Someone who hears the Message and is quickly drawn away from it.

They never sought out God in a true and meaningful capacity. Instead, they allowed the world and temptation to get in the way, which can happen to you if you are not careful.

Instead of going with the ways of the world, let His Word fill our heart and mind. Let it be our focus, our guidebook, and roadmap through this dark world.

Then we become a doer of the Word, which grants us yet another promise of God, (James 1:25).

Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Mark 4:24
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