What is growing in faith? How can a Christian grow in faith?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Growing in faith is a lifelong journey in which God steadily shapes believers through His Word, obedience, community, prayer, and even suffering to become more like Christ. Faith is not static. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in us as we seek to actively participate in our growth and seek to live out our faith. Hearing, studying, and living out God’s truth, trusting Him in trials, repenting when we fall short, practicing spiritual disciplines, living in community, and more are active ways of seeking to grow in faith. God grows faith in many ways, revealing more of His character to His people and teaching them to rely on His power rather than on their own. True spiritual growth takes time and intention, moving believers from spiritual infancy toward maturity that transforms us into Christlikeness. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit and actively seek God, our faith becomes steadier, stronger, and increasingly fruitful for God’s glory.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament is the people of Israel’s cycle of faith –rising when they remember God’s law and falling when they neglect it. When God’s promises, commands, and law were ignored or forgotten, their faith collapsed into idolatry and sinful practices (Judges 2:10–19). Without guidance, their life turned into faithless chaos (Judges 17:6, Judges 3:5–7).
• Growing in faith involves reading the Bible, knowing God’s commands, and staying away from worldly, sinful counsel and influences (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3). In 2 Kings, Hilkiah the high priest finds the Book of the Law that was by this time lost and unknown by the people of Israel, and their faith is rebuilt by the rediscovery and public proclamation of God’s word by King Josiah (2 Kings 22:8–11, 2 Kings 23:1–3). As a result, King Josiah purged idols, altars, and pagan practices and reinstated the Passover feast, which had not been celebrated for generations, greatly renewing and strengthening the faith of all the people. (2 Kings 23:4–25).
• Abraham showed growth in his faith by trusting and obeying God when God told Abraham to leave his home (Genesis 12:1-4). Abraham’s faith was also credited as righteous because he believed all that God told him about his future descendants, even when it seemed improbable (Genesis 15:1-6, Genesis 26:4–5). Abraham’s faith was refined through testing, and he responded with obedience to God’s instructions (Genesis 22:1–14).
• Moses went from doubting his abilities to the point of asking God to send someone else (Exodus 3:11–12; 4:10–13), to leading the people out of Egypt (Exodus 14:13–14), to trusting in God’s direction, which resulted in a deep personal relationship with God (Exodus 33:11).
• Ruth, a Moabite and a non-Israelite, learned enough about God from her husband's family to put her faith in Him and not go back to her country when her husband died (Ruth 1:16-17). Her beautiful journey of courage, loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, and faith in God resulted in blessing and inclusion in the lineage of David (Ruth 4:13-17). Given her background, Ruth was likely an unbeliever who moved from outsider to a faithful, active participant in God's covenant story.
• Hannah, while focused on her deep sadness over her inability to conceive a child,surrendered to God and prayed earnestly for a child, showing her growing faithful dependence on God to the point of dedicating her future son’s life to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:3-11). Hannah’s journey from despair to a growing faith-filled reliance shows how crying out to God in prayer, rather than focusing inward, helps believers grow in faith and thankfulness (1 Samuel 2:1–2).
• David’s life story shows that faith in God is not static. David had youthful confidence in God’s power to deliver him from Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37, 1 Samuel 17:45–47), he learned to seek God and rely on God in crisis (1 Samuel 23:2-4), and his faith grew into humble gratitude at God’s future promises (2 Samuel 7:18–22). David’s life also shows us that faith grows through repentance and asking God to change and grow our character (2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 51:10–12). Despite grievous sin, David’s faith journey reflects lifelong trust and worship (Psalm 23:1–4, Psalm 18:1–2).
• From Daniel, we see that faithful obedience can last a lifetime and that small acts of faith like refusing to defile himself with Babylonian food in his youth (Daniel 1:8), can grow to bigger acts of faith, such as his courage and trust in the Lord to deliver him from the lion’s mouth (Daniel 6: 21-23).
• There are so many inspiring journeys of people’s growth in faith in the Old Testament that they are too numerous to capture exhaustively in this small space. The sheer volume of biographical accounts that teach us how to grow in our faith with the Lord in the Old Testament is awe-inspiring and a tool in and of itself to strengthen our faith in God.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In Romans 10:17, we learn that people come to salvation in Christ by hearing the gospel message, and likewise, a Christian’s faith and knowledge grow by sitting under Bible-based teaching and hearing the Scriptures explained in ways that can be applied to their life. Faith grows as believers continue to study Scripture and hear the gospel message repeated (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
• A believer’s faith grows through obedience to God’s commands and action (Hebrews 11:4-12, James 2:14-19).
• Trials and tribulations produce stronger, more steadfast faith (James 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4).
• We should pray for God to strengthen our faith and the faith of other Christians so that we can walk in a manner worthy and increasing in the knowledge of God (1 Thessalonians 3:10, Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 1:9-12, Luke 17:5).
• Christians should lay aside anything that leads to sin and hinders their walk into deeper faith. The life of following Christ is often long and challenging, but looking to Jesus and his teaching in Scripture can help us persevere and grow our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).
• Faith that rests on human wisdom is fragile and temporary, while faith rooted in God’s power is unshakable and grows (1 Corinthians 2:5). Practically speaking, this means increasing our faith by reading the Bible, attending Bible-based churches, and being discerning when listening to Bible teachers (Acts 20:29-32).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

To grow in faith is to mature in both the knowledge of God and strive for a life shaped by obedience, ultimately becoming more like Christ. Spiritual growth is a process, much like physical development, moving from infancy to maturity.

Spiritual maturity requires time and intentional formation. Faith grows as believers continually hear, study, and apply Scripture within the context of sound, Bible-based teaching (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). The New Testament repeatedly rebukes stagnation in spiritual growth. Hebrews 5:12–13 and 1 Corinthians 3:1–3 describe believers who remained dependent on spiritual “milk” rather than progressing to deeper understanding and obedience. This immaturity was evident not only in limited knowledge but also in attitudes such as jealousy and division, showing that true growth in faith affects both our relationship with God and relationships with others.

This does not mean that we will be perfect or always feel like we are growing. What is important, though, is that we surrender to God’s Spirit and we are intentional to seek to grow. Faith matures through active obedience and perseverance. We grow as we spend time in God’s Word. We grow as we prioritize fellowship with other believers. We grow as we pray and seek God. We grow as we seek God in trials and difficulties. While growth requires effort, God is with us, and His Spirit is the One who produces fruit in us. Growing in faith is a lifelong process in which God shapes believers into mature disciples of Christ who are equipped not only to follow Him faithfully but also to help others do the same.

UNDERSTAND

• Growing in faith is a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ.
• The Holy Spirit grows our faith through our active participation.
• True faith matures as believers trust God and live out what they believe.

REFLECT

• How have you seen God grow your faith as you have actively sought growth?
• What priorities and rhythms help you grow in faith?
• How have trials revealed areas where you are learning to rely more on God’s power than your own strength?

ENGAGE

• How do biblical stories show that faith grows through both obedience and hardship over time?
• What are the marks of a person who is growing in faith?
• How can we help others grow in faith?