Biblical Foundations for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

I had the honor of hosting a meeting with Paul Abney at my work for SALT, STRIVE, VETNET. He shared his story of trauma, recovery and advocacy for people to move from suffering to true healing. This morning my friend shared Trauma, Addiction and Recovery: Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Addiction which got me thinking about CBT and the Bible. 

CBT says our thoughts shape our emotions and behaviors. Scripture taught this long before modern psychology. The Bible presents a coherent model of the mind that mirrors CBT’s cognitive-behavioral architecture.

1. Change begins with the mind
Paul frames transformation as cognitive renewal.
Romans 12:2 — “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Philippians 4:8 — Directing attention toward what is true.
Colossians 3:2 — “Set your minds on things above.”
This is cognitive restructuring in biblical language.

2. Identify and challenge distorted thoughts
CBT teaches monitoring and reframing automatic thoughts.
2 Corinthians 10:5 — “Take captive every thought.”
This is an active evaluation of internal narratives, not passive acceptance.
Applied to trauma: Scripture confronts harmful core beliefs (“I am damaged,” “I am unsafe”) rather than baptizing them.

3. Thought → emotion → behavior
Scripture treats the “heart” as the integrated center of thought, feeling, and action.
Proverbs 23:7 — “As he thinks… so is he.”
Proverbs 4:23 — “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Matthew 15:18-19 — Behavior originates in the inner thought-life.
This is the cognitive model stated plainly.

4. Action reinforces belief
CBT uses behavioral activation. Scripture does the same.
James 1:22 — “Do what it says.”
1 Timothy 4:7-8 — Spiritual maturity is trained, not felt.
Behavioral practice reshapes the inner life.

5. Exposure over avoidance
CBT teaches that avoidance feeds fear; courage rewires it.
2 Timothy 1:7 — A “sound mind” in fear-based situations.
Psalm 23:4 — Healing comes by walking through the valley, not around it.
This parallels trauma-focused exposure therapy.

6. Rumination and anxiety
Scripture addresses anticipatory fear and catastrophic thinking.
Matthew 6:34 — “Do not worry about tomorrow.”
Philippians 4:6-7 — Petition + thanksgiving produces cognitive peace.
1 Peter 5:6-7 — Anxiety is “cast” — a deliberate cognitive release.
This aligns with mindfulness-based CBT.

7. Identity reconstruction
CBT reshapes core beliefs. Scripture does too.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — A new identity redefines self-schema.
Ephesians 4:22-24 — Put off → renew the mind → put on.
A full cognitive-behavioral sequence is embedded here.

8. Community as change catalyst
CBT uses group reality-checking and accountability.
James 5:16 — Confession externalizes distorted beliefs.
Proverbs 27:17 — Others help correct our thinking.
Scripture embeds change in relational systems, not isolation.

Synthesis
Scripture and CBT converge on three truths:
• Thought is the driver of emotional and behavioral life (John 8:32).
• Truth dismantles distortion and brings freedom.
• Lasting change requires both renewed cognition and practiced obedience.

For clinicians or pastors working with believers, this alignment is not cosmetic. It gives CBT a deeper moral and theological backbone and offers clients meaning, hope, and a worldview that reinforces clinical progress.

Read More ->>

God's plan for judgement, justification, and redemption (Zech 12-14)

Yesterday we had the Prayer Course on Spiritual Warfare, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from Evil." I've been thing about  Ephesians 6:12-16 the battle and the shield of Faith. Spiritual realities are easy to grasp when we think about a "spirit of fear and anxiety" that can manifest itself physically, like a sick stomach. 2 Timothy 1:7, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid/fear/cowardice, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Zechariah 13:2 talks about a "spirit of impurity/uncleanness" or "unclean spirit" being removed with prophets and idols. 

Contemporary English Version says, "The LORD All-Powerful says: When that time comes, I will get rid of every idol in the country, and they will be forgotten forever. I will also do away with their prophets and those evil spirits that control them."

Zech 12-14

"On that day" appears 16 times, Other repeated elements include:

• "Declares the Lord / declares the Lord Almighty" appears multiple times, functioning as a divine authentication formula throughout.
• "All the nations" recurs as a theme phrase, emphasizing the universal scope of God's final judgment and reign (gathered against Jerusalem, then ultimately worshiping there).
• "Jerusalem" named repeatedly as the focal point of both conflict and redemption.
• "The house of David" appears in 12:7, 8, 10, 12 and 13:1, linking the Davidic line to the mourning, cleansing, and restoration narrative.
• "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever" (2 Sam. 7:16)
• Genealogical descendants of David. This is why Matthew 1 and Luke 3 trace Jesus' lineage specifically back to David. Joseph is called "son of David" and Bethlehem is "the town of David."
• Isaiah 9:7 says the government would rest on the Messiah's shoulders ruling "on David's throne." Jeremiah 23 and 33 promise a righteous Branch from David. Ezekiel 34 and 37 speak of a future Davidic shepherd-king. 
• Zechariah 12-13's references to the house of David receiving the spirit of grace, mourning for "the one they pierced," and receiving cleansing (John 19:37, Revelation 1:7)
• Revelation 3:7, Jesus himself holds "the key of David"
• community of believers, grafted in, become heirs of the Davidic promise through Christ (Romans 4, Galatians 3)

A) Creator LORD Almighty, consumes enemies 

12:1-5) Prophecy LORD creator heaven, earth, human spirit makes Jerusalem fortress, enemies panic madness Judah heart strong Almighty is their God.

6-9) Judah consumes surrounding people like fire, LORD shields Jerusalem, house like God

Principle: Panic and madness are signs that we have moved away from God.

Application: When your feeling the ground move beneath you, will you ask God the maker of heaven, earth and your soul to give make your heart strong?

B) Fountain of blood cleanses sin, removes spirit of impurity and gives a spirit of grace and supplication

10-14) House of David spirit grace supplication, look on me pierced, mourn for only child, all mourn with wives

13:1-3) Fountain house of David cleanse sin, spirit of impurity, banished idols, prophesies removed, 

4-6) prophet ashamed and hidden, deceive 

7-9) Sword against my shepherd, sheep scattered, 2/3 perish, 1/3 in fire refined gold, call on my name, answer them, my people, LORD is our God.

Principle: God's gift is revealed in his loving kindness we find in Jesus

Application: When will I renounce the spirit of impurity and accept his Spirit of grace and supplication for the wounds I've inflicted on him?

C) Day of the Lord, victorious over enemies, always light, living water from Jerusalem. 

14:1-5) LORDS coming Jerusalem captured, rape, exile LORD fight, Mount of Olives split, God with holy ones

6-7) No sunlight or darkness, unique known only to LORD, light day/night

8-9) living water flows 1/2 dead sea other Mediterranean summer and winter

10-11) south land Arabah, Jerusalem raised high, inhabited never destroyed secure

12-15) plague nations rot while standing, stricken with panic, attack one another, animals too

16-19) survivors all nations worship LORD Almighty Tabernacles, rain or drought 

20-21) HOLY TO THE LORD inscribed on bells pots, no Canaanite

Principle: God redeems all things as "holy to the Lord" 

Application: what traumatic event in my past can I lay down to the Lord and holy surrender to him? What plan for the future can I lay down and instead offer myself to Him as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God? 

Read More ->>

Powerful ways to overcoming Satan

In Charlie Kirk EXPLAINS Powerful Ways to Overcoming Satan. Charlie Kirk explores how believers experience spiritual warfare and how Satan gains influence in their lives. Many people feel harassed by internal vows, unhealthy environments, or unresolved sin. Kirk speaks to that struggle directly. He highlights three on-ramps for spiritual attack and three counter-strategies for protection. Believers shift from self-reliance to Christ-centered dependence and proactively shape their environment and habits. Kirk concludes Christians are assured victory. Spiritual attacks increase when you advance God’s work, but the proper response is not retreat. It is a counteroffensive rooted in prayer, Scripture, repentance, and submission.

How Satan Gains Influence

1. Self-made vows. Human willpower is fragile. Scripture warns against relying on flesh. Proverbs 28:26 says those who trust in themselves are fools. Jesus teaches that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Paul admits he cannot do the good he wants without the Spirit’s power (Romans 7:18). The Spirit produces self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), not personal resolve.
2. Your environment. Environments form desires. Paul says “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Psalm 1:1 shows blessing begins with avoiding ungodly influence. Romans 12:2 calls for renewing the mind, not conforming to the world. Philippians 4:8 directs us to fill our minds with what is true, pure, and praiseworthy. Hebrews 10:24-25 highlights the need for godly community to stir up love and obedience.
3. Unrepented sin. Especially sexual sin. Sin creates footholds. Ephesians 4:27 warns not to “give the devil a foothold.” Sexual sin uniquely harms the soul (1 Corinthians 6:18). Hidden sin invites torment, but confession restores freedom (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:7-9). Satan is the accuser (Revelation 12:10). Repentance silences his accusations and restores fellowship with God (Acts 3:19).

How to Counter It

1. Prayer. Dependence disarms the enemy. Psalm 34:17 shows God hears the cry of the righteous. Jesus teaches that even brief, honest prayer is powerful (Matthew 14:30; Matthew 6:9-13). Paul urges “pray in the Spirit on all occasions” as part of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:18).
2. Scripture. God’s Word renews and protects. Jesus fought temptation with “It is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). Psalm 119:11 shows storing Scripture in the heart keeps us from sin. Hebrews 4:12 says the Word discerns and cuts away deception. Colossians 3:16 calls us to let the Word dwell richly so our thinking is guarded.
3. Submit and resist. James 4:7 sets the sequence: submit to God first, then resist. First Peter 5:8-9 echoes this by calling believers to be alert and to resist the devil by standing firm in faith. Romans 8:13 promises that by the Spirit we “put to death” sinful actions. Ephesians 6:10-11 commands us to “be strong in the Lord” and stand firm against schemes, not through human strength but divine armor.

Reflection Questions

1. Which influence, vows, environment, or unrepented sin, feels most relevant to your daily experience?

2. What simple, relatable story could you use to make the spiritual battle metaphor memorable?

3. How might you structure this message as a Hero’s Journey, with the believer as the protagonist facing spiritual opposition and finding victory?

Read More ->>

Disciples, Apostles, Saints, and Missionaries

 DISCIPLES (Learners/Followers)

Definitional Passages

• Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (broadest use - all learners)
• Luke 14:26-27 - "If anyone comes to me and does not hate...cannot be my disciple" (defines discipleship requirements)
• John 8:31 - "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples"
• Acts 6:1-7 - "The number of disciples multiplied greatly" (broad community of learners)

The Twelve as Disciples

• Mark 3:13-19 - Jesus "appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles)" - they were disciples first
• Matthew 10:1 - "He called to him his twelve disciples"
• John 6:66-69 - "Many of his disciples turned back...But the twelve stayed" (showing broader group)

Broader Discipleship Beyond the Twelve

• Luke 10:1 - Jesus sent out seventy-two other disciples
• John 4:1 - Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
• Acts 9:36 - Tabitha "a disciple" (showing term applied to individual believers)
• Acts 21:16 - "Some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us" (widespread followers)

---

APOSTLES (Sent Ones with Authority)

The Twelve Apostles - Specific Calling

Primary Commissioning:

• Mark 3:14 - "He appointed twelve...to be with him and to be sent out"
• Luke 6:13 - "He chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles"
• Matthew 10:2-4 - Lists "the names of the twelve apostles"

Authority Given:

• Matthew 10:1 - "He gave them authority over unclean spirits"
• Matthew 18:18 - "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven"
• John 20:21-23 - "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you" (apostolic commission)

Foundational Role:

• Ephesians 2:20 - "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone"
• Revelation 21:14 - "The wall of the city had twelve foundations...names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb"

Matthias - Replacement Apostle

• Acts 1:21-26 - Specific criteria: must have been with Jesus from baptism to ascension, must be a witness to the resurrection. "He was numbered with the eleven apostles"

Paul - Apostle by Special Appointment

Called Directly by Christ:

• Acts 9:15 - "He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name"
• Galatians 1:1 - "Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ"
• 1 Corinthians 9:1-2 - "Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?"
• 1 Corinthians 15:8-9 - "Last of all...he appeared also to me...I am the least of the apostles"

Apostolic Authority:

• 2 Corinthians 12:12 - "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you"
• Galatians 2:8 - "He who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry...worked through me also"

Other Apostles Beyond the Twelve

Barnabas:

• Acts 14:14 - "When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it" (explicitly called apostle)

James, the Lord's Brother:

• Galatians 1:19 - "I saw...James the Lord's brother" (in context of "the apostles")
• 1 Corinthians 15:7 - "Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles"

Andronicus and Junia:

• Romans 16:7 - "Greet Andronicus and Junia...They are well known to the apostles" (or "outstanding among the apostles" - textual debate)

Silas and Timothy:

• 1 Thessalonians 2:6 - "We could have made demands as apostles of Christ" (Paul, Silas, and Timothy as authors)

Apostolic Criteria and Distinction

• 1 Corinthians 4:9 - "God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death" (special suffering/calling)
• 2 Corinthians 11:13 - "False apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves" (showing the title could be claimed falsely)
• Revelation 2:2 - "You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not"

---

SAINTS (Holy Ones/Believers)

General Use for All Believers

Paul's Letters - Standard Greeting:

• Romans 1:7 - "To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints"
• 1 Corinthians 1:2 - "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord"
• Ephesians 1:1 - "To the saints who are in Ephesus"
• Philippians 1:1 - "To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi"
• Colossians 1:2 - "To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae"

Saints as Community of Believers:

• Acts 9:13 - "I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem"
• Acts 26:10 - "I not only locked up many of the saints in prison...but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them"
• Romans 8:27 - "He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints"
• Romans 15:25-26 - "At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints"

Saints' Identity and Calling:

• Romans 12:13 - "Contribute to the needs of the saints"
• 2 Corinthians 1:1 - "To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia"
• Ephesians 3:8 - "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given"
• Colossians 1:12 - "Giving thanks to the Father...who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light"

Old Testament Saints

• Psalm 16:3 - "As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones"
• Psalm 30:4 - "Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints"
• Daniel 7:18, 22, 27 - "The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom" (eschatological reference)

Saints in Glory

• 1 Thessalonians 3:13 - "At the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints"
• Jude 14 - "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones [saints]"
• Revelation 5:8 - "The golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints"
• Revelation 8:3-4 - "Another angel...was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints"

---

MISSIONARIES (Sent Cross-Cultural Messengers)

Old Testament Precedent

Jonah:

• Jonah 1:1-2 - "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it" (cross-cultural sending)
• Jonah 3:1-4 - Preached to Gentile city resulting in mass repentance

Isaiah's Vision:

• Isaiah 6:8 - "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send me"

Jesus' Missionary Commands

The Great Commission:

• Matthew 28:18-20 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (explicitly cross-cultural)
• Mark 16:15 - "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation"
• Luke 24:47 - "Repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem"
• Acts 1:8 - "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (geographic expansion)

Early Missionary Examples

Philip - First Cross-Cultural Evangelist:

• Acts 8:5 - "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them" (crossing Jewish-Samaritan boundary)
• Acts 8:26-40 - Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (crossing to Africa)

Peter - Sent to Gentiles:

• Acts 10:1-48 - Peter sent to Cornelius (Roman centurion), breaking Jewish-Gentile barrier
• Acts 10:34-35 - "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him...is acceptable to him"

Barnabas and Paul - First Missionary Journey:

• Acts 13:2-3 - "The Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'" (formal missionary sending)
• Acts 13:4 - "Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia"
• Acts 13-14 - Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe (crossing multiple cultural boundaries)

Paul's Missionary Journeys:

• Acts 15:36-18:22 - Second journey (Macedonia, Achaia - entering Europe)
• Acts 18:23-21:17 - Third journey (Ephesus, returning to Jerusalem)
• Acts 16:9-10 - "A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia...saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us'" (divine guidance across cultural boundaries)

Timothy and Titus - Sent Missionaries:

• 1 Corinthians 4:17 - "That is why I sent you Timothy...to remind you of my ways in Christ"
• 2 Corinthians 8:23 - "As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit"
• Titus 1:5 - "This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order"

Priscilla and Aquila - Missionary Couple:

• Acts 18:2, 18, 26 - Traveled with Paul, taught Apollos, risked their lives for the gospel
• Romans 16:3-4 - "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus...to whom...all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks"

Missionary Theology and Practice

Paul's Missionary Self-Understanding:

• Romans 1:5 - "Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations"
• Romans 15:16 - "To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God"
• Romans 15:18-21 - "I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience...from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel"
• 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 - "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some" (missionary contextualization)

Church Sending and Support:

• Acts 11:22 - "The report about them came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch"
• Acts 13:1-3 - Church at Antioch fasted, prayed, laid hands on, and sent Barnabas and Saul
• Philippians 4:15-16 - "In the beginning of the gospel...no church entered into partnership with me...except you only"
• 3 John 5-8 - "You are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers...we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth"

Missionary Suffering:

• 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 - Paul's extensive list of missionary hardships
• Acts 14:19-22 - "They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead...strengthening the souls of the disciples"

---

KEY DISTINCTION PASSAGES

Disciple vs. Apostle

• John 13:16 - "A servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger [apostolos] greater than the one who sent him" (disciples are servants; apostles are sent messengers)
• Luke 6:13 - "When day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles" (subset relationship)

Apostle vs. Missionary

• Ephesians 4:11-13 - "He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints" (apostles as foundational; evangelists/missionaries as ongoing)
• 2 Corinthians 11:5, 13 - "Super-apostles" and "false apostles" (apostolic title was unique and contested; missionary work was broader)

All Are Saints

• Philippians 4:21-22 - "Greet every saint in Christ Jesus...All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household" (universal designation)
• 1 Corinthians 14:33 - "As in all the churches of the saints" (standard designation for all Christian communities)
• Hebrews 13:24 - "Greet all your leaders and all the saints"

---

SUMMARY WITH BIBLICAL SUPPORT

Disciples = Broad category (all followers): Acts 6:1-2, 7; Acts 9:1, 26; Acts 11:26 ("disciples were first called Christians")

Apostles = Specific, authoritative foundation: 1 Corinthians 12:28 ("First apostles..."), Ephesians 2:20, 2 Peter 3:2

Saints = All believers: Consistently used throughout epistles as standard designation (50+ NT occurrences)

Missionaries = Sent cross-culturally: Acts 13:2-4 (formal sending), Romans 10:14-15 ("How beautiful...feet of those who preach"), 2 Corinthians 5:20 ("We are ambassadors for Christ")

Overlap: Paul was disciple (learned from Christ), apostle (uniquely called), saint (believer), and missionary (sent cross-culturally) - Acts 9:15, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 3:8, Acts 13:2

Read More ->>

Area code 612 (Ephesians 6:12-16 the battle and the shield of Faith)

 I'm going to sit in for Rob at TC Alpha tonight talking about "How can I have Faith?" I've been praying and thinking deeply about this event for some time, the Lord brought me back to Christian Code of Conduct for the Church Militant and something obvious just jumped out at me. 612 is my area code, Ephesians 6:12, begins to tell us about the battle we are in and it's not against people but "spiritual forces." Force of shame, guilt, anger, lust, sorrow, regret can bring us into a season of despair and comes out sideways in addiction and broken relationships. So God willing I'll be able to share the hope I have with double the normal attenders because of a delicious tray of cookies. I'm excited to witness that God precedes those who follow his way

Ephesians 6:16 — The Shield of Faith

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."

---

Faith Protects Against the Devil's Attack

The Roman scutum — a large, curved body shield — was soaked in water before battle to extinguish fire-tipped arrows. Faith functions the same way: it doesn't merely deflect temptation, accusation, and doubt; it extinguishes them before they take hold.

• Satan's primary weapon is deception and accusation — faith in God's truth neutralizes both (1 Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:10-11)
• What we believe about God determines how we stand when attacked (Isaiah 7:9 — "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all")
• Faith is not passive; it is an active, deliberate taking up — a posture of trust maintained under fire (1 John 5:4; James 1:2-4)
• The shield works best in formation — corporate faith strengthens individual faith (Hebrews 10:24-25; Ecclesiastes 4:12)

---

Faith Is Knowing God and Relying on His Promises

(Hebrews 11:1; Matthew 21:22; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Mark 11:22-24; Luke 1:37; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Faith is not optimism or willpower — it is a relational trust rooted in the character and promises of God:

• It has an object — God Himself: "Have faith in God" (Mark 11:22). Faith derives its power not from its intensity but from its object (Psalm 62:8; Proverbs 3:5-6)
• It is substantive, not speculative: Faith gives present assurance of future realities (Hebrews 11:1; Romans 8:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:7)
• It comes through hearing the Word: Faith is not self-generated — it is birthed by exposure to God's revealed truth (Romans 10:17; Psalm 119:105; John 17:17)
• It pleases God and draws us near: Without faith it is impossible to please Him — faith assumes God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 29:13; James 4:8)
• It prays with expectation: Ask believing, and it will be given (Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 15:7; 1 John 5:14-15)
• It rests on God's unlimited power: "Nothing is impossible with God" — the anchor of faith under impossible circumstances (Luke 1:37; Genesis 18:14; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 46:10)
• It is entirely a gift: Salvation by grace through faith removes all boasting — even the faith itself is God's gift (Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:29; 2 Peter 1:1)

---

Our Faith Is a Response to — and Sustained by — God's Faithfulness

This is the crucial foundation: we do not manufacture faith; we respond to a faithful God.

• God's faithfulness is the bedrock — His character makes faith rational (Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:13 — "If we are faithless, He remains faithful")
• He who calls is faithful — He will bring it to completion (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Philippians 1:6)
• The author and perfecter of faith is Christ Himself — He originates and sustains our trust (Hebrews 12:2)
• Abraham's faith is paradigmatic: he believed "the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not" — faith anchored in God's creative power, not visible circumstances (Romans 4:17-21)
• Faith grows through trial — the testing of faith produces steadfastness, which matures faith further (James 1:3; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Romans 5:3-4)
• The Spirit Himself intercedes and strengthens faith from within (Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 5:22 — faithfulness as a fruit of the Spirit; Jude 20 — praying in the Spirit builds up faith)

---

Key Takeaway: The shield of faith is effective precisely because it is not our faith in faith — it is our faith in a faithful God. The flaming arrows of doubt, accusation, and temptation are extinguished when we hold up what we know to be true about who God is and what He has promised.

Read More ->>