Faith Cometh by Hearing

Kenneth Copeland 

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

One of the greatest healing evangelists I’ve ever known once said to me,
“I don’t understand it. I have laid hands on more than 2 million people.
I’ve seen miracles of every description. But I’m the last guy in the world
to ever get healed.” 

Just think, that evangelist had seen Jesus face to face more than once.
His hand had been set on fire with the healing touch of God. But he
couldn’t live on those experiences. He had to learn, just like you and I
do, to walk one step at a time confessing, believing and standing on the
Word of God. 

“Well, maybe that’s true,” you say, “but I still think I would have more
faith if Jesus would appear to me like He did to that evangelist.” 

No, you wouldn’t. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and
yet have believed” (John 20:29). Blessed means “empowered.” So, according
to Jesus, you’ll have more power if you’ll believe before seeing a
physical manifestation. 

Why is that true? It’s because for you to believe something you don’t see
with your physical eyes, you have to turn inward. You have to activate
your spirit being. When you do that, the part of you that is like God
rises up and gets stronger. 

Am I saying you should avoid the spectacular manifestations and displays
of God’s power that are occurring around us in these final days? 

Absolutely not! Enjoy them to the fullest. Go to every meeting you
possibly can. Be a part of the move of God. But don’t lay down your faith
in the process. 

Keep standing on the Word, first and foremost. The Word will work when the
gifts are flowing and when they’re not. The Word will work in the daytime
and in the dark. The Word will work for any man, woman or child who will
put it to work. It is eternal, settled in heaven and earth forever. 

Remember this: Faith—the everyday kind of faith you use for living—doesn’t
come from moving in the gifts of the Spirit. It doesn’t come from seeing
Jesus or having special visitations and experiences with God. It comes by
hearing and hearing and hearing the Word of God.

Scripture Reading: John 20:24-29