So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
(Romans 10:17).
Faith is based on a promise, while
knowledge is based on revelation-spiritual information. We all have faith
according to the Scriptures, but functioning according to the revelation
knowledge that God has made available to you through His Word is what puts you
over in life. That’s what makes the difference. For example, David wasn’t
merely demonstrating faith when he confronted and defeated Goliath; he had
revelation knowledge of God’s covenant with Israel. It wasn’t that he had more
faith than everyone else in Israel; what distinguished him was what he
knew-revelation knowledge.
When he asked about Goliath in 1
Samuel 17:26 “…who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy
the armies of the living God?” he was speaking from his knowledge of the
circumcision. He knew the implication and benefits of the circumcision. He
knew, on the basis of that spiritual information, that he could mince Goliath,
the champion of the Philistines.
Understand this: when you know the
Word, you don’t need to try to squeeze out faith! That knowledge gives you
faith. What David did was a demonstration of his knowledge; he knew the
significance and power of his circumcision. The Word of God already gave the
children of Israel the clear information that they would not fall before the
uncircumcised. For David, that wasn’t something he needed to try to
“believe,” but something he had come to know; the knowledge was in
his spirit.
You become effective in life as a
Christian when you function according to revelation knowledge. In Matthew
22:29, Jesus said, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures….” He
lets us know that the reason people make mistakes, and go wrong in their
choices and actions, is that they lack the revelation knowledge of the Word.
Have a burning desire for the knowledge of God’s Word.
Consistently inundate your spirit and mind with spiritual information from
God’s Word. Your ability to live a victorious, joyous, and prosperous life is
dependent on how much of God’s Word you know and live by.
