Lessons About Faith, Concealed and Revealed

Part 4 of "Keys to Developing a Hearing Ear"

This 4th installment in the series is intended for those who are already well acquainted with the first three.

In this study we're going to explore some key passages of scripture where lessons about faith and the hearing ear are conveyed using figurative language. As we give our attention to unveiling these figures of speech you'll discover the great value in the unveiling process! I believe that, if you're attentive, you'll become better able to contend with the mechanisms of concealing and revealing like figures of speech, parables, riddles and prophecies! I believe you will find yourself having more insight, greater faith and an ear that hears better, being able to hear more of the word of God and being better prepared to do it without hesitation!

Recall what Bullinger wrote, that, "when a statement appears to be contrary to our experience, or to known fact, or revealed truth; or seems to be at variance with the general teaching of the scriptures, then we may reasonably expect that some figure is employed." Something is being emphasized, or concealed and revealed. We have already learned in this study that there is a sense in which faith or belief is binary, that one either has it or not. How, then, are we to understand the many examples where the Bible plainly states that faith is somehow quantitative, that there is some variable measure or nature involved? If faith is a kind of partnership where something is given and the recipient subsequently responds to it, how are we to understand the examples where faith appears to be some kind of power or force that is produced or controlled by our own will and determination? What is the truth, and how do we know that we know it, and what is the point of having the truth about faith wrapped in such contradictions? Every straightforward declaration and every departure from standard form is for our greater instruction, who have ears to hear.

Faith Grows

Let's look at scriptures where it is written that faith grows.

The words for "grow" and "growing" are forms of the Greek word, αὐξάνω, auxano. Those of you with a background in botany know about related words like auxin, the plant hormone responsible for growth, and, auxesis, the increase of cell size without cell division. So, faith grows like a plant. But this is contrary to Jesus' lesson from Luke 17.

Logically, if faith like a grain of mustard seed (which is the smallest of seeds) is plenty enough for a dramatic miracle to result from your command, what need is there for faith to increase or grow? None! Some figure must be employed when faith is presented as being able to grow, so what truth is being emphasized, or concealed and revealed? Reflect upon what's already been introduced in the previous installments.

Where "faith" appears to have the potential to grow or increase a reference is being made to something relative to faith. Faith is binary in nature, on or off. Consider pregnancy, a similarly binary condition. Growth occurs in the size and weight and in the maturity of the woman and her baby and in their relationship from moment to moment throughout the full term. Likewise, faith. There are two components that may be said to grow. The word of God that is heard can grow in amount, with more content and increasing value in the nature of that content. With regard to the other side of the equation, our response to hearing the word can grow in the sense of being more quickly responded to in the appropriate way. Faith can grow in the sense of the seed-word-of-God being received more and more readily, like good soil that's well prepared to receive the rain toward the production of an abundant crop. Remember what I call the Hear-Do cycle. Hear and do, and the outcome is that you hear more and have more to do. Continue on that path and you grow in your ability to hear with a hearing ear, which equates to the growing of your faith!

If we put this in other terms, faith grows as a bidirectional relationship of trust and trustworthiness develops. Trust, it may be said, is a two way street. We learn to trust God and His word more and more as we take one step after another and become more and more willing to accept whatever risk might be perceived. We thereby prove to ourselves that God is trustworthy. And, all the while, we prove ourselves increasingly trustworthy as His servants and stewards, being more and more willing and able to obey the Master in Whom we trust.

In 2 Corinthians 10 (above), Paul used figurative language when he told the saints in Corinth about his hope and his expectation that their faith would continue to grow. There was no mystical power or force involved but rather a process of spiritual development. Likewise for the observation Paul made about the Thessalonians (above) when he noted that their faith was growing more and more. Paul went on to note that the love every one of them had for each other was increasing. Their love and their faith had a very dependent relationship. So does ours!

If what you want is a hearing ear that is increasingly better at hearing, I have a tip for you. Apply yourself to learning how to recognize figures of speech and interpret them properly!

Great Faith

There are occasions where the biblical text ascribes the quality of greatness to faith. These should be recognized as figurative expressions.

The first word the centurion's friends said was, "Lord." This man, who valued his servant so highly, recognized who Jesus was and acknowledged it through his messengers. Additionally and very importantly, the centurion understood the authority of spoken words in the natural realm and he believed that the Lord had the authority to heal by giving His command, acknowledging that the physical distance between their locations wasn't even a factor. Why is the centurion said to have "great faith"? Expressing this in the kind of language that should be starting to become familiar to you, in Israel, no one else had demonstrated such a recognition of the great authority of the Lord's word in the natural and supernatural realms. The centurion's "great faith" should be understood in comparison with that "less great" faith that Jesus found in Israel. His faith exceeded theirs in some way, which can be noted from the context. His "great faith" was manifest in his acknowledgment of the magnitude of, or exalted position of, Jesus' lordship as he demonstrated his recognition of the greatness of the authority of Jesus' word.

This next example of "great faith" is very similar to the previous account in how they both deal with a healing by Jesus from a remote location for someone who was not one of the "lost sheep of Israel."

This woman approached Jesus and her first words were, "Lord, Son of David." Compare her address to the message brought by the centurion's friends. Like the centurion, she was seeking the healing of someone who was in her care. Again, comparing this to the account of the centurion, her status is called to our attention as being one who was outside the privileged fold. While the centurion was a man and it was claimed by some elders of the Jews that he deserved to have Jesus do what the centurion asked, this Canaanite was a woman who was commended to Jesus by no one. If such a thing mattered, she ranked below the centurion, yet, she, too, was commended for having great faith! Her daughter was delivered from the demon-possession she had suffered terribly from, being healed just as the centurion's servant had been made well! Some notable points are made for those who have ears to hear!

Each time the woman addressed Jesus, she called Him, Lord. But that didn't prompt Jesus to acknowledge her great faith and grant her request. Neither did the perseverance she showed by pestering them until she was acknowledged, even after being dismissed with a clear statement that her status disqualified her for such a blessing. She had approached Jesus and knelt before Him, pleading for His help, yet the Lord was not moved to grant her request. Her actions revealed that she trusted in both His willingness and ability to help her, despite the fact of her being outside the parameters of His mission directive. Surely, the commitment displayed by this hopeful and highly motivated woman was significant, but what was it that finally prompted the Lord to have mercy on her and grant her request - with a commendation of her great faith?

Firstly, she called the miracle of deliverance from demon-possession a "crumb," even such a one that might fall from the master's table. She expressed her belief that the blessing which meant so very much to her was, for Him, a very small matter in light of His ability to provide it. She recognized and acknowledged Jesus' great authority in the spiritual realm! Compare her belief to that of the centurion who was also said to have great faith, who believed the Lord Jesus could command sickness that was unto death just like he himself commanded the soldiers who were under his own authority. This remarkable Canaanite woman acknowledged Jesus' GREAT authority, but that's not all she did!

A second feature in the woman's response was that she had an ear to hear! She understood the figurative language used by the Lord, responding in the language of the same allegory He had used! Let this speak loudly to you about the value of being able to track with the esoteric and understand His meaning when He speaks in parables, riddles and allegories!

This Canaanite woman's daughter was healed and she was commended for her great faith. While there were several factors involved in the account, like her recognition of Jesus as her Lord, and her persistence in overcoming obstacles, the two factors that combined in securing the grant of her request should speak loudly to those of us who want to have great faith. She immediately grasped the meaning of the figurative language used by the Lord and in demonstrating that rare possession she acknowledged Jesus' GREAT authority.

Little Faith

If someone with faith as small as a mustard seed can command a dramatic miracle, someone with a little faith should be able to do as least as much, logically, and being able to clothe oneself is certainly far less dramatic. If there is any sense to be made of this apparent contradiction the resolution lies in the realm of figurative language.

When it comes to learning about the figurative language used in the Bible we need to be aware of what is done with the text by Bible translators and by those responsible for the definitions given in Bible dictionaries. They render the meanings in a range from the more literal to the more figurative, interpreting the sense of it. They derive the meaning from the strict literal meanings of the words plus the context of use, according to their understanding. Sometimes the interpreted renderings are useful to us and sometimes not, depending on the nature of our interest.

The Greek word, ὀλιγόπιστος (phonetic spelling: (ol-ig-op'-is-tos)), is translated as, "little faith." A range of definitions is offered for this compound word on the popular BibleHub site. According to Strongs, "From oligos and pistis; incredulous, i.e. Lacking confidence (in Christ) -- of little faith." It's an interpreted definition. According to Thayers, it means, "trusting too little." Ditto. Interpreted. In doing this they put their understanding of what I've been teaching here on exhibit. The following is from HELPS Word-studies

3640 oligópistos (from 3641 /olígos, "little in number, low in quantity" and 4102 /pístis, "faith") – properly, few occurrences (applications) of faith. 3640 (oligópistos) occurs five times in the NT, each time with Jesus rebuking the problem of failing to hear His voice (cf. Jn 10:3,4,27).

"Little-faith" (3640 /oligópistos) describes someone dull to hearing the Lord's voice, or disinterested in walking intimately with Him. In contrast, the goal of life is to receive (obey) the Lord's gift of faith in each scene of life (Ro 14:23; Heb 11:6).

[3640 (oligópistos) is derived from 3461 /myriás ("few, small in number"), which is the opposite of 4183 /polýs ("many in number").]

As we have just seen, in each case, those responsible to convey the meaning of the word translated as "little faith" have offered an interpretation that is less literal than it is figurative. If the meaning is taken in a strictly literal fashion, as faith that is somehow little in number or low in quantity, well, it just doesn't make sense because faith is not quantitative. The first of the HELPS Word-studies definitions (where the literal meanings of the component words are given) offers, "properly, few occurrences (applications) of faith." That's valid. But, what more can we learn from the usage of the word in Matthew 6?

Verse 25 begins with "therefore," and what the word "therefore" is there for is to establish continuity in the narrative. This connection allows more light to shine on the matter of having little faith. What is being emphasized is how there are two masters in which trust may being placed: God or, on the other hand, money, mammon, or material things. If you, with anxiety, seek and run after material wealth and provisions like food and drink and clothing then that's what you're devoted to. It's your master and you will despise the other master, which is God, and you will have what's called, "little faith." This matter isn't up for debate because it's the plainly declared truth. Optionally, you can, without anxiety, seek first (or chiefly as your number one priority) your Heavenly Father's kingdom and His righteousness. The promise is that "all these things will be given to you as well." As well? Some versions of the Bible include these words in verse 33 and some leave them out, being a matter of their interpretation of the sense of the passage. It fits, here, because the benefit involves ALL THESE THINGS (verse 32), both the provision of the material necessities AND what is sought after as first priority, our Heavenly Father's kingdom and His righteousness!

The next occurrence of the word translated "little faith" is found in Matthew 8, where it's not a "classroom" lesson but rather a practical demonstration that has no lack of drama. I note that anxiety is linked to little faith where the threat involves the provision of food and drink and clothing. Comparing to that, fear is linked with little faith in the following account where the threat to life itself is immediate.

The Lord asked His disciples why they were so afraid. Of course, the reason could hardly have been more obvious. The disciples feared for their lives. The lesson is in the reason for that, which is called, little faith. This little faith, as we should know, isn't literally small in some measurable amount. This is a matter of what held their attention and what they believed and what they should rather have believed.

Whatever they believed led to fear. But the Lord expected something else from them. Faith. Faith in what, in Him? Certainly, but we should by now be well aware that there is something specific about Him that His disciples needed to believe. We must identify that object or those objects of faith, some promise or truth that is either expressed or perhaps merely implied. The disciples were amazed by what happened, asking, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" This reveals something of what they believed and what they should have believed.

When Jesus got up, He didn't commend them for doing the right thing by putting their trust in Him to save them. Instead, He confronted them, saying, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" That's the right question. Why were they so afraid? Let's ask: Why shouldn't they have been afraid? The disciples were seasoned fishermen. For them to find themselves in a boat on the Sea of Galilee was a very familiar situation. Their expectation of drowning was entirely rational and the fear of death is entirely natural. Why shouldn't they have been afraid? Should it have been enough of an assurance of safety for them to have Jesus in their boat with them? They were all in the same boat - literally! But Jesus didn't wake up and tell them not to fear because He was present with them in the boat. This observation informs us that the disciples had no inherent promise of safety relative to their situation, no object in which to place their trust and there was therefore no faith to be had, in that regard. When Jesus got up He confronted the disciples and then rebuked the winds and the waves. He demonstrated why they didn't need to be afraid and why He called them out for having little faith. They didn't believe Jesus had authority over the winds and waves, and they certainly didn't believe that they themselves could also have rebuked the winds and the waves while Jesus slept!

Reflect on what we learned about "great faith." The centurion and the Canaanite woman believed that Jesus had authority over sickness, and demon-possession, which was considered to be so trivial as to be compared to a crumb that falls off the master's table. The disciples didn't even believe their Lord had authority over the natural elements. Their estimate was that Jesus had little authority and this betrays their "little faith." If we have anxiety or fear, that should be recognized as a sign that we're not thinking rightly about our situation.

The lesson about "little faith" is about recognizing the Lord's authority to command the winds and the waves and His authority over sickness and demon possession. But yet, there is more to this lesson about authority for those of us with a hearing ear. Consider the situation the disciples found themselves in when the furious storm came up without warning. Jesus could have been awake, but He wasn't, even though the waves were washing over the boat. I believe He is endlessly good and that He actually set them up to provide an opportunity for them - and a lesson for us! While Jesus was asleep, what was He waiting for? I believe the scenario played out according to plan. What else could the disciples have done? What action could have been and should have been taken if they had had "great faith"? Should they have just patiently hung on to the boat until it capsized, hoping Jesus was a good swimmer? When you think this through, seeking the Lord Himself for insight, you will know what kind of opportunity they had been given.

If you receive this as a personal lesson, you will know what opportunity is being presented when you find yourself with anxiety about provision or in fear for your life. Many passages of scripture inform us and inspire us about how to prepare ourselves, building our faith, in a figure, developing our hearing ear. Sometimes, what we hear and what we do in response puts the Lord's great authority on exhibit as dramatic miracles result.

Another example of "little faith" is found in Matthew 14.

This scenario is similar to what had happened earlier. Peter was catching on but there was another lesson to be taught and learned! There's a lot going on here in this passage, with a prophetic message that involves timing, but with a focus on the lesson about faith we find that fear is the issue once more. I see this scenario as yet another set-up, with Jesus having made the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side - with the heavenly Father overseeing the operation in His exceeding great love, mercy and grace!

With the weather against them, it must have been a long hard night of struggle and the disciples were probably more than a little bit fatigued. When you're tired you're far more likely to react with fear. Peter was bold, and it is obvious to me that the Lord prompted him to say what he said and to do what he did, orchestrating the scenario for his sake, and for the rest of the disciples - and for us!

The lesson here is what we learned from the previous account. What else could Peter have done? The word "doubt" is the Greek word ἐδίστασας, from the root which means, "to duplicate, waver, doubt," or "to stand in two ways, be uncertain as to which to take" (Bullinger). Peter had a choice to make. Of the two options before him, what was he going to see? Jesus told Peter exactly what Peter had asked him to. "Come," He said. That was an invitation, an implicit promise, a "word of God" that was an object of faith if ever there was one! What was required of Peter was simply to do it, to act on it. Faith sees the unseen. And Peter did act, proving the promise and the One Who Promised faithful! But the focus of his attention changed.

In this scenario, Peter went from confidently seeing the unseen promise to seeing the wind, with doubt and fear attending the shift. The wind became the greater reality, the greater authority in his estimation, which is the only perspective you can have when you focus on and lean on your own resources in the material realm. Peter then cried out to the Lord to save him, which is what the disciples did earlier when they woke Jesus from His sleep in the storm tossed boat.

Even though Peter had walked on water, you may note that he wasn't commended for having great faith but rather confronted for his doubt. Was the Lord being too hard on Peter by calling him out for having little faith? No, Peter didn't need to be coddled, pampered like a child might be spoiled by its parents or groomed to be fragile and insecure. Peter was loved and he was being given the opportunity to grow up into the full measure of maturity with an unshakable faith.

Another example of "little faith" is found in Matthew 16, where we find the now familiar lesson being repeated along with a point being made about the need for a hearing ear!

On one level, the lesson appears to be about how Jesus could miraculously provide their food. Their "little faith" would therefore be in the matter of their failure to believe that Jesus, or even they themselves, could seek the Heavenly Father and find such a great provision for themselves, when and if it was necessary. But this lesson about "little faith" involves the hearing ear! When the Lord reminded them about the feeding of the 5000 and the feeding of the 4000, did He proceed to inform them that they didn't need to worry about having no food to eat? No! That can be easily inferred, but what He went on to explain had to do with the esoteric. Their minds were elsewhere and they failed to grasp the context and therefore misunderstood the figurative language Jesus used.

Think about verses 9-11. This really only makes sense if they knew the esoteric meaning of those miraculous events. The numbers involved weren't necessary unless there was some deeper meaning being conveyed. Jesus must have opened their ears to hear and understand what those miraculous events meant. The meaning must have come to their remembrance at Jesus' prompt, and they would have understood about the yeast as a metaphor for the teaching of the religious hypocrites.

Jesus' expectation might seem unreasonable to some, yet, it was quite well founded. Faith sees the unseen and hears the unheard. Revelation isn't always recognized when it's received because it may be extremely subtle, but what is far too subtle for the dull of hearing is heard clearly enough by those who have ears to hear. If the heart is unprepared to receive the word-of-God-seed that is esoteric there is "little faith" and a failure to understand. Is the Lord unjust to expect that His disciples can hear with a hearing ear? No. Absolutely not.

The "Blank Check" written from the "Bank of Heaven"

When it comes to the "blank checks" that are sometimes offered to believers we should understand with an ear that hears whatever unwritten conditions and qualifications might constrain us as we seek to abide within the Lord's favor.

Most versions of the Bible read, "all faith," instead of, "a faith," but the meaning is plain.

In Closing

Faith is an action word. And, sometimes, the right action is to wait, to take no action at all other than to wait attentively for the Lord's next move.

It should be understood that you and I have no power over the elements, the winds and the waves and such - of ourselves. If doubt, anxiety and fear is present when we're threatened with some loss, we have an opportunity to call upon the Lord for help, who has authority.

George Muller (1805-1898), who has often been a source of great inspiration for myself and many others, offered some valuable wisdom. "If we desire our faith to be strengthened, we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried, and therefore, through trial, be strengthened." (George Muller - notes about living by faith - Excerpts from Basil Miller's biographical work) I cannot recommend that work highly enough for your own inspiration and learning. The page linked above is a very brief collection of notes that I chose to excerpt from that biography.

In closing, here's a tip and a reminder, for those who would have a hearing ear. You should not expect to get a fresh word from God if you haven't yet obeyed what you've already been told.

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