What practical steps can we take to increase our faith according to this verse? Standing in the Disciples’ Shoes “Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’” (Matthew 17:19) They had just failed publicly. Instead of hiding, they slipped into a quiet corner with the Lord. That single choice launches a blueprint for any believer longing for stronger faith. Step 1: Bring Your Defeats to Jesus Personally • Carve out private time—shut the door, silence the phone, open the Word. • Speak honestly: “Lord, why couldn’t I…?” He welcomes candor (Psalm 62:8). • Expect Him to answer through Scripture, the Spirit’s conviction, or godly counsel. Step 2: Listen to His Diagnosis Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith…” (Matthew 17:20). • Let Him identify the real issue; don’t self-medicate with excuses. • Accept that insufficient faith, not impossible odds, is the obstacle (Hebrews 11:6). Step 3: Nurture Even Mustard-Seed Trust “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) • Start with the faith you have—use it. Mountains move as exercised faith grows. • Recall past deliverances (1 Samuel 17:37) to fuel present confidence. • Replace negative self-talk with God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). Step 4: Immerse Yourself in God’s Word “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Daily intake options: – Read a chapter aloud; hearing reinforces remembering. – Memorize one verse each week; review in spare moments. – Listen to audio Scripture during commutes. Step 5: Pray—and Fast When Prompted “But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21, footnote) • Schedule focused prayer slots; lingering increases sensitivity to God’s voice. • Fast periodically—skip a meal, a day, or social media—to underline dependence. • Pair fasting with intercession for specific “stubborn” situations. Step 6: Act on What You Know “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) • Obey immediately, even in small matters; obedience reinforces trust. • Record results in a journal; visible fruit strengthens future faith. Step 7: Keep Your Eyes on Jesus “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) • Worship regularly—singing truth shifts focus from weakness to His strength. • Surround yourself with faith-filled companions (Proverbs 13:20). • Celebrate testimonies; another believer’s miracle fuels your expectation. Putting It All Together Private honesty, receptive listening, Word saturation, prayer-fasting rhythms, prompt obedience, and a Christ-centered gaze form a cycle. Every lap around that cycle stretches faith a little further—until mountains that once intimidated become opportunities for God to showcase His power. |
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