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.
