Is Faith Self-Serving?

Contrary to what some might teach, faith is not designed to get what you want. Some have turned it into some sort of lamp that you rub in order to get God to get, or do things on your behalf. They use Scripture to validate their teaching, so it sounds legitimate. Unfortunately, it is still self-serving in nature; even though, it may seem like it’s a way of serving God.
For example, one might say, “Because God gives us the desire of our heart (partially quoting Psalms 37:4), I’m going to trust Him for (fill in the blank).” From where, or whom did the desire come? It’s an important question.
   1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
   How many attempt to use faith to fulfill a lust, or gain status, which is attached to pride? Incidentally, if you seek such things to fill a void, you may have a disconnect with your identity in Christ. Is it a good thing to attempt to use the things of God to gain things of the world?
   Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart (NASB).
   Are desiring things wrong? No, not necessarily. However, it is important to delight yourself in the Lord, and allow Him to place the things He desires for you in your heart. If there is a conflict between His desire and yours, which one will you choose? Jesus puts things in proper perspective:
   “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).
   Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Quick Definition of Faith

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
  When examining the original language, we find faith is God’s unseen reality. That means hope is a sure thing; not wishful thinking. This definition gives us clue about faith: its Source.

Faith is an Obedience Thing

Often people will say, “By faith I’m going to (fill in the blank).” Sometimes, it actually is by faith; other times, it’s presumption. What determines the difference? The source. In order for something to be of faith, it has to come from the Lord. It has to be His Word from His heart; not bending verses of the Bible to get what we want, while calling it faith. To be clear, this is not an inditement towards anyone. Every believer has misapplied Scripture at one time or another, because of a lack of understanding. Of course, there are some who seek to deceive others, but that’s not  being addressed here.
   Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
  In one application, our faith in Jesus came from hearing the Gospel, which His Word to us. Another application is the Holy Spirit speaking to our heart. This could apply to a number of areas. Think relationally. For instance, His Word about our desire. “Father, should I pursue this course of action? This is what I would like to do; nevertheless, Your will be done.” If He answers, “Yes,” the action taken would be an act of faith. Obviously, if He said, “No,” or “Wait, it would not. Moreover, if He has not yet answered, the action would fall under presumption, because He gave no direction. His Word did not come first. It’s always best to wait on Him.
   Here’s an example of an obedience thing. There was a person who said, The Lord told me to go to the doctor (for a certain issue); but out of faith, I am not going to go.” This would be a case of disobedience; not faith. Sure, we receive healing by faith. That’s Bible! Nonetheless, it is important to operate under His terms.    There is no blanket method, or magical formula. It is simply obeying what we hear from God.
How one hears will not be tackled here. Just know He is faithful to get His word to us. We simply need to be willing listen, and receive what He might say to us. Faith is God-centered!

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