What is the definition of faith?

Hebrews 11. What the epistle gives us at the start of Hebrews 11 is not a definition of this principle, but a declaration of its powers and action. Faith realises (gives substance to) what we hope for, and is a demonstration to the soul of what we do not see.

The apostle goes on in our chapter to show the power of faith. It is not a definition, but a description of its effects... The definition of faith is that it "sets to its seal that God is true."

This is not a definition, but shows us something of what faith does. It is that which, to the individual, gives solid substance to things hoped for. It is no mere fanciful imagination, but an honest trust in the living God, by which the things of God are made a definite, clear reality to the heart, and are thus recognised to be more truly substantial than all material substance — for the latter will pass away. It also has that peculiar power of showing us "things not seen." Faith in the living God is not blind, but the actual opening of the eyes, accepting unquestionable evidence of the reality of unseen, spiritual things.

Faith then is the telescope that brings into our view the unseen realities of which God speaks; making them real to us, giving us assurance of them, and turning them into solid substance in our hearts.

And remember that faith is simply taking God at His word. It is believing what God says because He says it. It is taking God's thoughts in place of our own. "He that believes has set to his seal that God is true." How simple! God has revealed Himself, faith walks in the light of that revelation. God has spoken, faith believes the Word.

It is of the greatest importance to lead all exercised souls to the sure foundation of Holy Scripture and to teach them that faith is simply taking God at His word. It is believing what He says, not because we feel it, but because He says it. To believe because we feel would not be faith in God's Word at all, but faith in our own feelings, which is a worthless faith that will not stand for a moment in the presence of the enemy.

Now Ephesians 2:8 tells us that faith is "not of ourselves," but is "the gift of God." When we possess that gift, it may be said to be ours, as we read, "Your faith has saved you." How, then, does it come to us? Romans 10:17 answers the question — "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." A report, God's Word, brings it to us.

If faith is not the gift of God, it is only an exercise of the human mind and so worthless.

I fully admit that belief in the truth of Scripture may not be saving faith... It is not the fact of assent to the testimony of Scripture, or the lack of it, that makes real faith or otherwise; it is the nature of the assent that makes the difference between real faith and merely educational or intellectual belief... True faith is the work of the Holy Spirit in the soul, revealing the object of faith in divine power, so that the heart receives it on divine testimony as divine truth and a divine fact.

If, having spoken words of faith, he had stayed depressed and dejected like the rest, no one would have paid much attention to his words. But instead, having announced words of good cheer, he was himself very evidently of good cheer... As yet the circumstances were not altered, but they were altered as the confidence of faith found a place in their hearts.