Faith - A Strengthening Quality - HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH

You can have faith like that of David if you imitate the mental attitude and habits reflected in Psalm 27. Since faith is based on accurate knowledge, the more you study God's Word and Bible-based publications, the easier it will be to produce this aspect of the fruitage of God's spirit.  (Psalm 2:2, 3)  Take time to meditate when you study.  Meditation is the soil in which appreciation  grows.  As your appreciation for Jehovah deepens, so will your desire to exercise faith by worshipping him at congregation meetings and declaring your hope to others. (Hebrews 10:23-25)  Also, we demonstrate faith when we continue "to pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1-8)  Therefore, "pray constantly" to Jehovah, trusting that he cares for you." (Luke 5:17; 1 Peter 5:7) Faith moves us to actions, and our actions, in turn, strengthen our faith.  - JAMES 2:22.

EXERCISE FAITH IN JESUS

On the evening before his death,  Jesus told his disciples:  "Exercise faith in God, exercise faith also in e." (John 14:1) So we need to exercise faith not only in Jehovah but also Jesus.  How can you exercise faith in Jesus?  Let us consider three ways.

First, view the ransom as God's personal gift to you.  The apostle Paul said:  "I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me." (Galatians 2:20)  When you exercise faith in Jesus, you firmly believe that the ransom applies to you is the basis for forgiving your sins, offers you the hope of  everlasting life, and is the greatest confirmation of God's love for you.  (Romans 8:32, 38, 39; Ephesians 1:7)  This will strengthen you to keep negative feelings about yourself at bay. - 2 THESSALONIANS 2:16, 17. 

Second, draw close to Jehovah in prayer on the basis of Jesus; sacrifice. Because of the ransom, we can pray to Jehovah "with freeness of speech, so that we may receive mercy and find undeserved kindness to help us at the right time." (Hebrews 4:15, 16; 10:19-22)  Prayer strengthens our resolve to resist the temptation to sin. - LUKE 22: 40. 

Third, obey Jesus.  The apostle John wrote:  "The one who exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life; the one who disobeys the Son  will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him." (John 3:36)  Note that John contrasted exercising faith with being disobedient.  Therefore, you exercise faith in Jesus when you obey him.  You obey Jesus  by following "the law of the Christ,"  That is, all that he taught and commanded.  (Galatians 6:2) You also obey Jesus by heeding the guidance he provides through "the faithful and discreet slave."  (Matthew 24:45)  By obeying Jesus, you will have the strength to endure  storm-like adversities. - LUKE 6:47, 48. 

Next time: Faith - A Strengthening Quality - BUILD YOURSELVES UP ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH" 

From the jw.org publications