MANAGING YOUR DESTINY with Dr. Charity Segun Odeyemi, Lead Pastor, Evergreen Christian Centre Akure Nigeria Growing Your Faith

Hebrews 11:3 — “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command…”
Faith is not a religious accessory; it is the foundation upon which life in God is built. According to Hebrews 11:3, the entire world was designed and established by faith. If creation itself responds to God’s word through faith, then it becomes impossible for a believer to walk through life meaningfully without it. How then can anyone claim to live a victorious Christian life while relying only on feelings, fear, or human reasoning? Habakkuk 2:4 reminds us that “the just shall live by his faith.” This is not a suggestion—it is a spiritual law.
Many people assume that living by faith is difficult, mysterious, or reserved for a few “spiritual giants.” In reality, living by faith is the simplest and most effective way to live. What is truly difficult is living by fear—because fear demands constant anxiety, struggle, and uncertainty. Effort without faith leads to exhaustion, but faith produces rest, direction, and divine backing. Everything a believer is meant to become in Christ is accessed through faith. Without it, even divine promises remain unrealized.
Faith Already Exists in Every Life
There is no such thing as a person without faith. Every human being places confidence in something—money, systems, relationships, or personal ability. The difference is not the presence of faith, but the direction of it. When your confidence is placed in God, it becomes productive, powerful, and eternal.
Jesus declared in Matthew 16:19 that He has given believers “the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” These keys represent authority, access, and spiritual rights. However, these rights only become effective through faith. A believer may carry divine authority and still live below it if faith is absent or inactive. This explains why some people are blessed yet still oppressed, or privileged yet still limited. The manifestation of God’s grace in a person’s life is activated by faith.
Living Between Two Realms
Every human being operates in two dimensions: the physical and the spiritual. The physical realm is dominated by senses—what we see, hear, and feel. This realm often produces fear, limitation, and doubt. The spiritual realm, however, is where God’s truth is revealed. It is the realm where the Holy Spirit communicates direction, assurance, and divine possibilities. When a believer is sensitive to the Spirit, the spirit becomes the governing force over the body, not the other way around.
In the Spirit, fear loses authority. What looks impossible in the natural becomes clear in the spiritual. While the physical mind says, “There is a recession; you cannot make it,” the Spirit declares, “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.” Faith grows stronger when the believer consistently learns to interpret life through the Spirit rather than through circumstances.
How to Grow in Faith
1. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit
Faith grows in intimacy. The Holy Spirit is not a distant force but the active presence of God within the believer. When fellowship with Him is consistent, spiritual sensitivity increases. Genesis 2:7 shows that the breath of God gave life to man, meaning our spiritual nature is designed to remain connected to Him. Jesus also confirmed in John 3:6 that “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” A Spirit-led believer sees differently. Where the natural mind sees danger, the Spirit reveals opportunity. Where the economy says lack, the Spirit reveals provision. The deeper the fellowship, the stronger the faith.
2. Study and Meditate on the Word of God
Faith cannot grow in ignorance. Romans 10:17 declares that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The Word of God renews the mind and reshapes perception. It trains the believer to interpret life from God’s perspective rather than human fear. Consistency in the Word is essential. When the Word is neglected, faith weakens. When it is embraced, revelation increases. You cannot fight spiritual battles with a natural mindset. The Word equips the believer with spiritual intelligence.
3. Engage in Spiritual Worship
Worship is more than music; it is surrender. It is the conscious declaration of God’s lordship over every situation. Regular worship—both privately and corporately—positions the heart in humility and dependence on God. In worship, faith is strengthened because attention shifts from problems to the greatness of God. A worshipping believer becomes a trusting believer.
4. Prayer and Fasting
Matthew 17:21 highlights the power of prayer and fasting in spiritual growth. These disciplines sharpen spiritual sensitivity and weaken fleshly dominance. Just as academic success requires discipline and study, spiritual advancement also requires intentional effort. Prayer and fasting align the believer with God’s will and strengthen spiritual authority. Do you desire to go deeper in your walk with God? Then go deeper in faith. You cannot grow beyond your knowledge of Christ, and you cannot operate beyond the level of your faith. The more you know Him, the more your confidence increases. The more your confidence increases, the more limitations disappear.
Faith removes barriers. Faith unlocks possibilities. Faith connects you to divine resources that the natural world cannot explain. If you truly release your faith, there is no limit to what God can do through your life.