"Human Faith" vs. "Divine Faith" According to Scripture

 

"Human Faith" vs. "Divine Faith" According to Scripture

Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him.

Hebrews 12:2 Let us look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought, but to think soberly, each one according to the measure of faith God has assigned. 

Comparison Items	Human Faith	Divine Faith
Essential Source	From human will and effort Human rational reasoning	From God's grace and revelation Work of the Holy Spirit within
Foundation	Based on reason, experience or feelings Requires seeing to believe	Based on God's Word and promises Faith without sight, by faith alone
Stability	Easily shaken, affected by circumstances Sometimes present, sometimes weak	Firm and unchanging, transcends circumstances Enduring and constant, never ceasing
Range of Power	Limited human ability Relies on personal understanding	Unlimited divine power Supernatural ability
Focus Center	Often self-centered Concerned with personal gains/losses	Completely God-centered Focused on God's glory
Biblical Examples	• Peter feared and sank seeing the wind (Matt 14:30-31) • Thomas demanded to see before believing (John 20:25) • Child's father: "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24)	• Abraham offering Isaac (Heb 11:17-19) • Daniel's three friends refusing to bow to the golden image (Dan 3:16-18) • Paul rejoicing in sufferings (Phil 4:11-13)
Scriptural Basis	"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matt 14:31) "He who doubts is like a wave of the sea" (James 1:6-8)	"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8-9) "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for" (Heb 11:1)
Practical Manifestation	• Relies on personal feelings and judgment • Easily falls in trials • Needs constant external evidence • Faith fluctuates in size	• Completely trusts God's Word • Stands firm in trials • Acts on promises, not feelings • Faith grows steadily
Resulting Impact	• Prone to discouragement and disappointment • Difficulty overcoming temptation • Lacks spiritual power • Glory given to self	• Rejoices in hope • Overcomes the world • Demonstrates God's power • All glory to God
Cultivation Method	• Depends on human effort • Seeks external confirmations • Acts based on feelings	• Regular reading of God's Word (Rom 10:17) • Relies on the Holy Spirit's work • Draws near to God in prayer
Ultimate Goal	Satisfy personal needs and desires	Glorify God, fulfill God's will

 

Transformation Process: From Human Faith to Divine Faith

Steps	Specific Actions	Biblical Basis
1. Acknowledge Limitation	Acknowledge the weakness and limitation of human faith	"I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
2. Hunger for the Word	Hunger for the nourishment and illumination of God's Word	"Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Rom 10:17)
3. Depend on the Spirit	Rely on the Holy Spirit's indwelling and guiding work	"The fruit of the Spirit is...faithfulness" (Gal 5:22)
4. Learn Through Trials	Learn complete surrender to God through trials	"The tested genuineness of your faith...is more precious than gold" (1 Pet 1:7)
5. Continue Drawing Near	Constantly pray and draw near to God, building relationship	"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Phil 4:6)

 

Key Points: 

l   Human faith is limited and volatile, often based on reason and feelings. God's faith, on the other hand, is a gift of grace from God, stable, transcends circumstances, and is completely based on God's Word and promises.

l   The Bible emphasizes that saving faith "is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8), reminding us that true faith is a gift from God, not human merit.

l   True spiritual growth lies in shifting from self-reliance to complete reliance on God, allowing God's faith to grow and manifest within us.

 

*Please refer to June 2025 Summer Training, General Theme: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 8: Looking Away and to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith