When our knowledge of good and evil is mixed with faith, faith becomes an idol-like commodity. The dictionary defines a commodity as an article of trade or commerce. Outside of hearing directly from the Tree of Life, faith becomes an idol with perceived value in and of itself. We begin to pray and act like faith is tradable. Our knowledge of good and evil drives us to trade faith for healing, wealth, heaven, and, in the end, anything that seems “good.” When we use faith as a commodity, we pervert the power of God and become like the money changing thieves outside the temple; we use God to satisfy that which we covet.
True faith issues forth from hearing the Word of God. It is like a stream that proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb. This faith stream has a course directed by the throne of God. This stream cannot be redirected to perform our will, which is always based on our knowledge of good and evil.
Again, true faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Only when we hear His heart can we enter into the flow of His pure river. This kind of faith truly has the qualities of a mustard seed. Within this small seed’s unlikely appearance is the complete code to accomplish what its Creator has willed. It comes from life and has life within itself. When we hear the voice of God, we will know with certainty where His will is headed and we will have all the power of heaven behind us to assist it on its course.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 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. Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
Only as living sacrifices can we experience the renewing of the mind necessary to know the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
True faith is not something we commandeer. True faith commandeers us.
It takes true faith to believe God. Many have faith in faith rather than faith in God.
Those who are drawn to naming and claiming things are exercising their knowledge of good and evil, not true faith.
Formulas do not require us to seek the will of God. Formulas require only easy faith in the formula.
Unconditional submission and obedience to God are the first two expressions of true faith.