Unknowingly Shipwrecking Your Faith Series

This is the sixth message in this series on Faith. The underlying theme of the series has been our responsibility for faith either manifesting or not manifesting in our lives. For a person to say “I have faith” and not produce “faith results” means that person is not walking in faith the way he thinks he is. The bible tells us again and again that if we have faith we will see the fruit of that faith in our lives.

When it comes to faith we must understand two things:

First, our faith is in our words. Second, our unbelief is in our words.

Ladies and gentlemen, what we say brings faith and its results into our lives. On the other hand, what we say can also create a chasm of doubt and unbelief that faith cannot cross. Did you hear me? What we say can also create a chasm of doubt and unbelief that faith cannot cross.

Every time we open our mouths, we are making a choice to speak “faith words” or “unbelief and doubt” words. Every time. Please let this sink in.

The Bible tells us that what we say is birthed out of what we believe in our hearts. Turn with me to Luke chapter six. We’re going to read verse 45.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

The treasure this verse is talking about is that which we hold to be true. What we speak is what we hold to be true. What we speak will agree with the Bible and be good, or it will not agree with the Bible and be evil. Ladies and gentlemen there is no middle ground. Now here’s the thing: many of us believe we are speaking “good” when we are really speaking “evil”.

Let me give you an example.

I remember singing this song in church before giving the tithes and offerings: “The more you give, the more He’ll give to you. Just keep on giving because it’s really true. You can’t beat God giving no matter how you try.” The focus of the song was obvious: give as much as you can so God will give you as much as He can.

The song sounded good but it was evil. Why was it evil Bro. Barry? God gives us everything we need for life and godliness the moment we become part of His family. And we see this in Second Peter chapter one, verse 3. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness; through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, Colossians chapter two, verse ten says “we are complete in him.” That word “complete” means “there is nothing more than can be added.” Nothing.

Ladies and gentlemen, no matter how much money we give to God it does not change the fact that He gave us everything we need in this life before we ever gave him anything!

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m going to say this again: our giving – our money – does not move God to act our behalf. God responds to our faith. Period.

I don’t want to stray too far in my message but the Bible says in Romans chapter one, verse 17, Galatians chapter three, verse 11 and Hebrews chapter ten, verse 38 that “the just shall live by faith.” And to take this a step farther.

Remember what Jesus told the tempter in the wilderness? Turn to Matthew chapter four, verse four: “But he (Jesus) answered (he answered Satan) and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

I want you to see this connection. The Bible tells us in Romans, Galatians and Hebrews that the just shall live by faith. Jesus tells us in Matthew that man must live by every word that God speaks. What are we seeing? Living by faith is living by God’s Word! Do you see this? It is impossible to live by faith if you don’t have God’s Word living in you!

All of us have heard messages that sounded so good that we acted on what we heard as if it were true. But sadly, many of us didn’t know if the messages were scripturally sound or not. Why? We often don’t compare what we hear to what God has written. We have pastors and leaders we love and respect so we don’t “fact check” them. We don’t compare what they teach to what the Bible teaches.