Faith based on knowledge?

Is faith based on knowledge? We’re going to answer that question today.  There are both Christians and non-Christians who think that faith and knowledge are some how in conflict. Faith is commonly portrayed as some arbitrary blind leap in the dark that has no relationship to reason, evidence or knowledge. To the contrary real faith is based on knowledge. The biggest misconception about true Biblical faith is that it’s opposed to knowledge. The Bible does not promote a belief in the irrational or any type of unwarranted blind faith.

Faith Based on Knowledge

2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” In other words we are given everything we need for life through the KNOWLEDGE of God and not by by some irrational or unreasonable belief. Our faith, genuine Biblical faith, will be in direct proportion to the revelation knowledge that we have of God through His Word.

2 Peter 1:5 tells us, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…knowledge;”. Real faith is not some blind leap, but rather built and developed on knowledge. In fact faith with out knowledge will ultimately be perverted, abused, and misused. Our faith is not without proof. Biblical faith adheres to the Law of Rationality and seeks conclusions that are based on substantial evidence. Genuine Biblical faith is formed from both reason and revelation.

Too many Christians do not know (don’t have the knowledge) why they believe. If they are asked, why do you believe the Bible is the word of God, or why do you believe Jesus is God, or why you believe God created the earth, why do you believe in miracles, etc. they often respond, “Because I have faith in it!” This only relegates faith to the realm of personal belief, opinion, culture, etc. Biblical Faith is not just a matter of personal belief, preference or taste. It can be and should be based on truth and reality.

In Hebrews 11 we read how certain men and women acted out of obedient faith to God’s commands. We are told “by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain…” (11:7), “by faith Noah…prepared an ark to the saving of his house…” (11:7), “by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go unto a place which he was to receive as an inheritance…” (11:8), “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau” (11:20), and “By faith Moses, … refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” (11:24) What does “by faith” mean in these statements? Were these people acting in the absence of evidence? Did they have no knowledge of what they were doing, or why they were doing it? Were they simply taking a “leap of faith”? Absolutely not! None of them took a “leap of faith” acting merely on some emotional feeling. Rather, they had gained knowledge that produced faith that brought forth appropriate corresponding actions.

Godly Knowledge vs. Worldly Knowledge

It is a huge misconception to think faith is opposed to knowledge. Faith is based on Godly knowledge. The challenge we face is our minds have been filled with worldly knowledge and lacks the Godly knowledge that produces genuine faith. Romans 8:6, tells us “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” We need the mind of Christ. Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Our minds have to be renewed, and that is done by meditating on the knowledge of God as revealed in His Word. Our minds are like a computer. It can only respond based upon the knowledge put into it. If all we have is carnal (worldly) knowledge we will not have real faith. The good news is we can reprogram (renew) our minds with  Godly knowledge through His Word.

Grow in His Knowledge

If you’re born again you’ve been given faith. (Romans 12:3) However, that faith does you no good if you don’t know that it’s there or if you don’t have the knowledge of the principles that govern it. Years ago people laughed at the idea of flying. Why? They did not know the laws of lift and thrust. Yet the laws of aerodynamics had existed since creation. It is only when people gained the knowledge of those laws that man learned how to fly.

People may scoff and laugh at faith, but it is only because they don’t have the necessary Godly knowledge to operate in genuine faith. I want to encourage you to grow in the knowledge of God. (2Peter 3:18) The knowledge of God and how faith works is hidden in the Word of God for you, not from you! “I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.” (Ephesians 1:17 NLT) Take that prayer and believe it and watch your faith (real Biblical) begin grow!

Biggest Misconception About Faith

It is a huge misconception to think faith is opposed to knowledge.