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“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.”
2 Corinthians 4:13
There is something that is essentially fundamental in the text that is written above. First, apostle Paul says every believer possesses THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH. In other words, the believers’ faith, anywhere in the world, irrespective of the location, is the same thing, and it is fundamentally rooted in WHAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN. So, there is nothing like the “Greek faith” or the “Hebrew faith” or something like “Nigeria faith” or an “American faith.” Faith is faith everywhere and anywhere. There is no difference in faith whatsoever.
In 2 Peter 1:1, apostle Peter also talked about this same faith that is operational in every believer. It says “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and savior Jesus Christ.” That tells us that even as mighty as the works that the apostles did, apostle Peter wrote and said it is the same faith that was operational in them that is also operational in us. He called it “like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and savior Jesus Christ.” Let me read this portion to us in AMPLIFIED for further emphasis:
“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:”
So, believers don’t operate different faith. Although, believers may operate in different levels of faith. There is such a thing as levels of faith, and there are many examples in the Bible; like in the case of the centurion when Jesus called his faith “great faith” in Matthew 8:8-10, some could still remain at the basic faith level which is referred to as “measure of faith.” This is like the entrant level into faith dimensions (Romans 12:3), some could be at the level where their faith is a “growing faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).
Irrespective of the level of faith anyone may be in at any time, just know that the believers’ faith is one, because our faith is rooted in the written word of God. Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:4-5 tells us: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism;..”
Listen to Podcast: Examining The Synergy Between The Spirit of Faith And The Speaking of Faith
God wouldn’t respond to you more than He would respond to someone in the United States of America simply because yours is a Nigerian faith and his is an American faith. There is no discrepancy of faith in the Spirit when we are dealing with God. Romans 10:12 further tells us “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.” So, there is no favoritism when it comes to the matter of faith in the kingdom because we all have THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH.
Going back to the text, apostle Paul said “I believed and therefore I spoke,.” There is such a thing as the SPEAKING OF FAITH. What did he believe? The things which has been written. Your faith is expressed and evidenced in the things you believe and say. As a believer, the word of God which has been written should be the basis for your believing and your saying, not things that are happening around you. Apostle Paul said I spoke, not according to what is happening around or going on in my mind, or the level of my knowledge or education, but according to what is written.
What Then is the Speaking of Faith?
The speaking of faith entails declaring what has been written. It is anchored on the written word of God. First, Romans 10:17 tells us that “So then Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” When the word of God is spoken, faith is built up in us. We must also understand that it is not everything that we hear that is capable of developing our faith.
For example, when you hear that there is going to be war, just as we know between Iran and The United States for instance that there might be a likely war if matters are not quickly and adequately resolved in time. Such news does not build faith, it brings about fear and panicking. This is why Hebrews 2:1 tells us: “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” So, If there is a favor you must do yourself if you want to have all that you ever want or desire in the kingdom of God, then you must pay attention to the things you hear daily and regularly.
The speaking of faith entails speaking into manifestation what you want to experience. Matthew 12:37 tells us “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Through speaking the words of faith, you have what you speak. And I want us to see an example of this as demonstrated to us by Jesus Christ.
Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?” 21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:18-22
Jesus’ word didn’t fall to the ground. The Bible says “Immediately the fig tree withered away.” When you speak in faith, you will have what you say immediately. Although, the manifestation physically may take a while, never give up that you already have what you spoke about in faith. Jesus didn’t doubt, He was firm about His declarations concerning the fig tree.
HOW TO SYNERGIZE THE SPIRIT OF FAITH AND THE SPEAKING OF FAITH
1. Discover What Has Been Written
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.Proverbs 25:2 (AMP)
2. Speak What Has Been Written
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
Romans 4:16-17
3. Set Your Mind On Those Things Which Has Been Written
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8
4. Practice That Which Has Been Written
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:22 & 25
Article Source: [Centre for New Dimension Leadership]
