But if that is true, some ask, then why isn’t everyone healed? The answer to that question is best answered by asking another question: Why are not all people born again? All are not born again because they either haven’t heard the gospel or else they haven’t believed it. So, too, each individual must appropriate his healing through his own faith. Many have never yet heard the wonderful truth that Jesus bore their sicknesses; others have heard but rejected it.

God the Father’s attitude toward sickness has been clearly revealed by the ministry of His beloved Son, who testified of Himself,

Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner (John 5:19).

We read in the book of Hebrews that Jesus was the “exact representation of His [Father’s] nature” (Heb. 1:3). There is no question that Jesus’ attitude toward sickness was identical to His Father’s attitude toward sickness.

What was Jesus’ attitude? Not once did he turn away anyone who came to Him requesting healing. Not once did He say to a sick person who desired to be healed, “No, it’s not God’s will that you be healed, so you’ll have to remain sick.” Jesus always healed the sick who came to Him, and once they were healed, He often told them it was their faith that had healed them. Moreover, the Bible declares that God never changes (see Mal. 3:6) and that Jesus Christ “is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Jesus responded to Peter’s challenge with a single word: “Come.” If Peter had attempted to walk on the water prior to that word, he would have sunk instantly, as he would have had no promise upon which to base his faith. He would have been stepping out by presumption rather than by faith. Similarly, even after Jesus spoke His word, had any of the other disciples tried to walk on the water, they also would have sunk immediately, as Jesus gave His promise only to Peter. None of them could have met the condition to the promise, as none of them were Peter. Likewise, before any of us attempt to trust one of God’s promises, we must make certain that the promise applies to us and that we are meeting the conditions of the promise.

Peter stepped out on the water. That was the point in time when he trusted, although there is no doubt that he who had been crying out for fear of a ghost just seconds before also had doubts in his head as he took his first step. But in order to receive the miracle, he had to act on his faith. Had he clung to the mast of the boat and dipped his big toe over the boat’s side to see if the water would support his weight, he would never have experienced the miracle. Likewise, before we receive any miracles, we must commit ourselves to trust God’s promise at some point in time and then act on what we believe. There is always a time when our faith is tested. Sometimes that time is short; sometimes it is long. But there is going to be some length of time when we have to disregard the testimony of our senses and act on God’s word.

Peter progressed well at first. But as he considered the impossibility of what he was doing, taking note of the wind and waves, he became afraid. Perhaps he stopped walking, fearful of taking another step. And he who had been experiencing a miracle found himself sinking. We need to continue in faith once we have begun, continuing to act of our faith. Keep pressing on.

Peter sank because he doubted. People don’t often like to blame themselves for their lack of faith. They would rather pass the blame to God. But how do you suppose Jesus would have reacted if He had heard Peter, when he was safely back in the boat, saying to the other disciples, “It was really only God’s will for me to walk part way to Jesus”?

Peter failed because he became afraid and lost his faith. Those are the plain facts. Jesus didn’t condemn him, but immediately stretched out His hand to give Peter something steady to hold. And He immediately questioned Peter why he doubted. Peter had no good reason to doubt, because the word of God’s Son is more certain than anything. None of us ever have any good reason to doubt God’s Word, be afraid or worry.

Scripture is full of victories that were the result of faith and failures that were the result of doubts. Joshua and Caleb possessed the Promised Land because of their faith while the majority of their peers died in the wilderness because of their doubts (see Num. 14:26-30). Jesus’ disciples had their needs supplied as they journeyed two-by-two to preach the gospel (see Luke 22:35), but they once failed to cast out a demon because of their unbelief (see Matt. 17:19-20). Many received healing miracles under the ministry of Christ while most of the sick people in His hometown of Nazareth remained ill because of their unbelief (see Mark 6:5-6).

Like all of them, I’ve personally experienced success and failure according to my faith or doubts. But I’m not going to grow bitter over my failures or blame God. I’m not going to justify myself by condemning Him. I’m not going to search for some complicated theological explanation that reinvents God’s clearly revealed will. I know it is impossible for God to lie. So when I’ve failed, I just repent of my unbelief and start walking on the water once again. I’ve noticed that Jesus always forgives me and rescues me from my drowning!

The verdict is settled: Believers get blessed; doubters don’t! The disciple-making minister follows Jesus’ example. He is full of faith himself, and he admonishes his disciples, “Have faith in God!” (Mark 11:22).

We know that the Bible teaches that our physical bodies are decaying (see 2 Cor. 4:16). There is nothing we can do to stop our hair from graying and our bodies from growing older. Eventually our sight and hearing are not as good as they were when we were younger. We can’t run as fast. Our hearts are not as strong. We’re slowly wearing out.

But that doesn’t mean we have to die of sickness or disease. Our bodies can simply wear out completely, and when we do, our spirits will leave our bodies when God calls us home to heaven. Many believers have died like that. Why not you?

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

As believers, our faith is built on the foundation that God exists, and that He treats people who seek Him differently than those who do not seek Him. As soon as we truly believe those things, we begin to please God, because we immediately begin to seek Him. Seeking God implies (1) learning His will, (2) obeying Him, and (3) trusting His promises. All three should be components of our daily walk.

This chapter focuses on our walk of faith. It is unfortunate that many have emphasized faith to the point of unbiblical extremes, particularly stressing the area of material prosperity. For that reason, some are apprehensive to approach the subject at all. But just because some people drown in their swimming pools is no reason for us to stop drinking water. We can remain balanced and scriptural. The Bible has plenty to teach on the subject, and God wants us to exercise our faith in His many promises.

Jesus set an example of one who had faith in God, and He expected His disciples to follow His example. Likewise, the disciple-making minister strives to set an example of trust in God, and he teaches his disciples to believe God’s promises. This is vitally important. Not only is it impossible to please God without faith, it is impossible to receive answers to our prayers without faith (see Matt. 21:22; Jas. 1:5-8). Scripture clearly teaches that doubters are deprived of blessings that believers receive. Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

The definition found in Hebrews 11:1 also states that faith is the “conviction of things not seen.” Thus, if we can see something or perceive it with our five physical senses, faith is not required.

Suppose someone said to you right now, “For some reason that I can’t explain, I have faith that there is a book in your hands.” You would, of course, think that something was wrong with that person. You would say, “Why, you don’t need to believe I have a book in my hands, because you can plainly see that I’m holding a book.”

Faith is of the unseen realm. For example, as I’m writing these words, I believe that there is an angel near me. In fact, I’m certain of it. How can I be so sure? Have I seen an angel? No. Have I felt or heard an angel fly by? No. If I had seen an angel or heard or felt one, then I wouldn’t have to believe there was an angel near me—I’d know it.

So what makes me so certain of the angel’s presence? My certainty stems from one of God’s promises. In Psalm 34:7, He promised, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.” I have no evidence for what I believe other than God’s Word. That is true biblical faith—the “conviction of things not seen.” The people of the world often use the expression, “Seeing is believing.” But in the kingdom of God the opposite is true: “Believing is seeing.”

When we exercise faith in one of God’s promises, we often face circumstances that tempt us to doubt, or we go through a period of time when it looks as if God is not keeping his promise because our circumstances are not changing. In those cases, we simply need to resist doubts, persevere in faith, and remain convinced in our hearts that God always keeps His word. It is impossible for Him to lie (see Tit. 1:2).

Because faith is based solely on God’s promises, only one source exists for biblical faith—God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing , and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17, emphasis added). God’s Word reveals His will. It is only when we know God’s will that we can believe it.

So, if you want to have faith, you must hear (or read) God’s promises. Faith does not come by praying for it, fasting for it, or having someone lay hands on you to bestow it. It only comes from hearing God’s Word. And once you hear it, you still must make a decision to believe it.

Beyond the acquiring of faith, our faith can also grow stronger. The Bible mentions various levels of faith—from little faith to mountain-moving faith. Faith grows stronger as it is fed and exercised, just like a human muscle. We should continue to feed our faith by meditating on God’s Word. We should exercise it by acting and reacting to everything based on God’s Word. This includes those times when we face problems, worries and concerns. God doesn’t want His children to worry about anything, but rather to trust Him in every situation (see Matt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:6-8; 1 Pet. 5:7). Refusing to worry is just one way we can exercise our faith.

If we truly believe what God has said, we will act and talk as if it’s true. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you will talk and act like a person who believes it. If you believe that God will supply all your needs, you will talk and act like it. If you believe that God wants you to be healthy, you will act and talk like it. The Bible is full of examples of people who, in the midst of adverse circumstances, acted on their faith in God and received miracles as a result. We’ll consider a few later on in this chapter and in a later chapter about divine healing. (For some other good examples, see 2 Kings 4:1-7; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 19:1-10; and Acts 14:7-10.)

Biblical faith does not operate in our minds, but rather, in our hearts. Paul wrote, “For with the heart a person believes” (Rom. 10:10a). Jesus said,

Whoever says to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him (Mark 11:23, emphasis added).

It is quite possible to have doubts in your head but still have faith in your heart and receive what God has promised. In fact, most times when we endeavor to believe God’s promises, our minds, influenced by our physical senses and Satan’s lies, will be attacked with doubts. During those times we need to replace doubting thoughts with God’s promises and hold fast in faith without wavering.

Jesus, of course, made the same request three times in a row when He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Matt. 26:39-44). But keep in mind that He was not praying in faith according to God’s revealed will. In fact, as He prayed three times for any possible escape from the cross, He knew that His request was contrary to God’s will. That is why He three times submitted Himself to His Father’s will in the same prayer.

That same prayer of Jesus is often wrongly used as a model for all prayer, as some teach that we should always end every prayer with the words, “If it by Thy will,” or “Nevertheless not My will but Thy will be done,” following Jesus’ example.

Again, we must remember that Jesus was making a request that He knew was not God’s will. To follow His example when we are praying according to God’s will would be a mistake and display a lack of faith. To pray, for example, “Lord, I confess my sin to you and ask you to forgive me if it be Thy will,” would imply that it may not be God’s will to forgive my sin. We know, of course, that the Bible promises that God will forgive us when we confess our sins (see 1 John 1:9). Thus such a prayer would reveal one’s lack of faith in God’s revealed will.

Jesus didn’t end every prayer with the words, “Nevertheless not My will, but Thy will done.” There is only one example of Him praying in that manner, and it was when He was committing Himself to do His Father’s will, knowing the suffering He would endure because of it.

On the other hand, if we don’t know God’s will in a certain situation because He has not revealed it, then it is appropriate to end our prayer with the words, “If it be Thy will.” James wrote,

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil (Jas. 4:13-16).

What should we do once we’ve made our requests based on a promise from God and are meeting all the conditions? We should continually thank God for the answer that we have believed we have received until it actually comes to pass. It is through faith and patience that we inherit the promises of God (Heb. 6:12). Satan will surely try to defeat us by sending doubts, and we must realize that our mind is the battleground. When thoughts of doubt attack our minds, we simply need to replace those thoughts with thoughts based on God’s promises and speak the Word of God in faith. As we do, Satan must flee (see Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).

One of the classic biblical examples of faith in action is the story of Peter walking on the water. Let’s read his story and see what we can learn from it.

And immediately [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat, and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And after He had sent the multitudes away, He went up to the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” (Matt. 14:22-33).

It is significant that Jesus’ disciples had been caught in another violent storm in a boat on the Sea of Galilee sometime earlier (see Matt. 8:23-27). During that incident, Jesus had been with them, and after He calmed the storm by His rebuke, He then rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith. Before they had embarked on their journey He had told them that it was His will that they go to the other side of the lake (see Mark 4:35). When the storm arose, however, they were more persuaded by their circumstances, and at one point believed they were all going to die. Jesus expected them to at least not be afraid.

This time, however, Jesus sent them across the Sea of Galilee on their own. Surely He was led by the Spirit to do so, and surely God knew that a contrary wind would arise that night. Thus the Lord allowed them to face a small challenge to their faith. Because of those contrary winds, what would have normally taken just a few hours took all night. We have to credit the disciples for their endurance, but can’t help but wonder if any of them attempted to have faith for the winds to be calmed, something they had seen Jesus do just a few days earlier. Interestingly, Mark’s Gospel reports that when Jesus came walking to them on the water, “He intended to pass by them” (Mark 6:48). He was going to leave them to face their problem alone as He miraculously walked right by! This seems to indicate that they weren’t praying or looking to God. I wonder how many times the Miracle-Worker walks right by us as we strain at the oars of life against the winds of trouble.

Sometimes when we attempt to exercise faith in God, we fail to receive what we desire because we are not operating according to God’s Word. One of the most common mistakes occurs when we try to believe for something that God has not promised us.

For example, it is scriptural for married couples to trust God for children because God’s Word contains a promise upon which they can stand. I know of married couples who have been told by doctors that they could never bear children. They chose, however, to believe God instead, standing on the two promises listed below, and today they are parents of healthy children:

But you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst. There shall be no one miscarrying or barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days (Ex. 23:25-26).

You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall be no male or female barren among you or among your cattle (Deut. 7:14).

These promises should encourage childless couples! To attempt to believe specifically for a boy or a girl, however, is another story. In the Bible there are no specific promises that tell us we can pick the sex of our future children. We must stay within the boundaries of Scripture if our faith is to be effectual. We can only trust God for what He has promised us.

Let’s consider a promise from God’s Word and then determine what we can believe based on that promise:

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ will rise first (1 Thes. 4:16).

Based on this scripture, we can certainly trust that Jesus is going to return.

Could we pray, however, believing that Jesus will return tomorrow? No, because this scripture and no other scripture promises us that. In fact, Jesus said that no one knows the day or the hour of His return.

We could pray, of course, hoping that Jesus would return tomorrow, but we would not be guaranteed it would happen. When we pray in faith, we are certain that what we are praying for will happen because we have God’s promise on it.

Based on this same scripture, we can trust that the bodies of those believers who have died will be resurrected at the return of Jesus. But can we have faith that those of us who are alive at Christ’s return will receive resurrection bodies at the same moment as the “dead in Christ” do, or possibly even before they do? No, because this scripture promises us just the opposite: The “dead in Christ will rise first.” In fact, the very next verse goes on to say, “Then we who are alive shall be caught up together in the air” (1 Thes. 4:17). Thus, there is no possibility that the “dead in Christ” won’t be first to receive their resurrection bodies when Jesus returns. God’s Word promises just that.

If we are going to trust God for something, we must be certain that it is God’s will for us to receive what we desire. God’s will can only be safely determined by examining His promises recorded in the Bible.

Faith works the same way in the natural realm. It would be foolish for you to believe that I was going to visit your home tomorrow at noon unless I had first promised you I would be there then.

Faith, without a promise on which to stand, is not really faith at all—it is foolishness. So before you ask God for anything, first ask yourself the question—which scripture in the Bible promises me what I desire? Unless you have a promise, you have no foundation for your faith.