Where does Understanding and faith come from?

judd said:

Where does Understanding and faith come from? Are they from man or they are given to man by God? If they are from man, then, they are questionable! But if they are from God, then, why did Jesus Christ talk about having faith as little as a mustard seed, Is it not God that gives it out?

So, where does understanding and faith come from?

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The apostles said to the Lord, "Show us how to increase our faith." The Lord answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!
"When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, 'Come in and eat with me'? No, he says, 'Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.' And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, 'We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.'" Luke 17:5-10

Jesus was giving an example of how powerful even the smallest measure of faith can be when it is unhindered by serving unselfishly. They were wanting more faith but Jesus was showing them that larger faith wasn't the answer but rather less self.


For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3

Faith is a fruit of HolySpirit, so yes God is the source of faith.

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. James 2:26

The faith and works that James is referring to are both of and from God. To confirm this look at what Paul said.

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Galatians 5:6

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Col.1:9

But people who aren't spiritual [fn] can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 1Cor. 2:14

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. Hebrews 6:1


Understanding of the truth also come from God by putting faith or trust in Him.

The same place...........
Romans 10:17
“So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

bigape said:

The same place...........
Romans 10:17
“So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

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Yes thats how it comes but the question I believe was where does it come from, many also seem to confuse what Paul is saying here "by the word of God" as pertaining to the bible or the scriptures.

So, where does understanding and faith come from?

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Our faith begins and ends with Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; ...

God works in us continually to bring us to the image of Christ.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

We are free to turn from this work;

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

God works in us if we seek after Him;

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 4:310 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Proverbs 2:1-11 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

Our faith doesn't grow because, like the rich young ruler, we trust in ourselves and the world. We are limited in our understanding and wisdom because we are not seeking it from God. If we were to open our hearts fully to our Savior and walk in humility and truth, we would be able to receive all He has to give us.

Good post Timf.