The Fruit of The Spirit - Faithfulness
The Fruit of The Spirit - Faithfulness
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustworthiness, gentleness, self-control.
Our next Fruit of the Spirit “Faithfulness” requires us once again to examine ourselves and to ask the questions “Are we walking by Faith?” and “Are we leaning upon the Faithfulness of YHWH?”
First, depending on your Bible translation, you may see some inconsistencies in the word Faithfulness listed in Galatians 5:22
The Greek word used for faith is “Pistis”.
The KJV translates “Pistis” as ‘Faith’, but the New King James translates it as “Faithfulness”.
The American Standard agrees with the NKJV as “Faithfulness”.
The Wycliffe New Testament sides with the King James Version as ‘Faith’.
The Scriptures Bible “ISR 2009” translates it as ‘Trustworthiness’.
So which one is it? The word ‘Pistis’ has very deep and rich meaning, and translators have a tendency to opt for one meaning over the other.
What does Pistis actually mean?
Vine’s Dictionary enlightens us. Vine’s tells us that it’s primary meaning “firm persuasion”. It also adds that in the Apostolic Writings it’s always used as ‘Faith in Elohim’ or ‘Faith in Messiah’ or Faith in things spiritual.
It can mean both ‘Trust’ and ‘Trustworthiness’ so according to Vines the word can mean both.
Let’s look at a couple more
Strong’s Greek Dictionary – defines “Pistis” as persuasion; moral conviction, especially reliance upon Messiah; and constancy in such profession. Therefore according to Strong’s, it can mean “Faith” and “Faithfulness”.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – defines it as follows:
1. “The conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born in faith and joined with it”.
2. Fidelity, faithfulness: the character of one who can be relied on.
Okay, that’s a lot, so we need to do some investigative work here:
Let’s look in the Tanakh and see how it’s used in the Hebrew:
The word ‘Faith’ is actually only used twice.
The first occurrence is in Deuteronomy 32:20
And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: For they are a very forward generation, Children in whom is no faith.
The second occurrence of the word ‘Faith’ in the Tanakh is found in Habakkuk 2:4
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
In both instances, the Hebrew words translated into the English word “Faith” are essentially the same. Depending on the masculine or feminine use of the Hebrew words we can say that it means “A firm and secure trust”.
Pistis in the Apostolic Writings
But without belief it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Elohim has to believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
We can see here it is impossible to please YHWH if we do not believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him. This is confirmed for us in James chapter 1.
But he should ask in belief, not doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For that man should not think that he shall receive whatever from the Master
Yeshua confirms this when speaking to Thomas after His resurrection.
Yeshua said to him, “T’oma, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Let’s look a two more.
I have written this to you who believe in the Name of the Son of Elohim, so that you know that you possess everlasting life, and so that you believe in the Name of the Son of Elohim.
whom having not seen, you love; in whom you exult with unspeakable and esteemed joy, yet not seeing, but believing,
Where are the unbelievers?
Where is the unbelieving university professors?
Where is the great scientist?
Where is the Richard Dawkins and the Charles Darwin’s on this world?
The purely logical and purely materialistic human mind reacts with distain towards belief in our creator YHWH and His son Yeshua our Messiah. To these people it makes no logical sense. However, to those who are called according to His purpose, it makes perfect sense.
It’s not because of special intelligence and intuition on our part, not at all.
For by favor you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, it is not by works, so that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua unto good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
What is Faith?
According to the writer of Hebrews, faith is the substance of what is expected, the proof of what is not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Faith must come first, and it serves as proof that the impossible can happen. However, this kind of faith is not something we can generate through mental exercises; it is not our own creation. Rather, it is a gift from Yah, which is why all things are possible for those who believe.
And we know that all matters work together for good to those who love Elohim, to those who are called according to his purpose.
Walking in the Faithfulness of YHWH
Besides trust, “Pistis” also means being able to stay faithful when things get tough. It means having a firm resolution even in the mist of persecution. It means having the courage to be different and stand out from the crowd.
It means not deviating to the right or to the left, no matter what pressures and persecutions may come. It means staying on the straight and narrow path even when we feel isolated and alone in our convictions. It means denying our flesh, when others around us indulge in it. It means calling evil – evil and sin – sin when the world is calling evil good.
How fast some fall in the midst of these pressures when Yeshua Messiah was faithful unto death.
How quickly we confirm with our mouth like Peter that we would succumb to death before ever denying our savior, and yet some are not willing to lay down their fleshly desires and continue to partake in the things of this world. Does this sound like you?
Trustworthy is the word, and in this regard I wish you to strongly affirm, that those who have believed in Elohim should keep their minds on maintaining good works. This is good and profitable to men.
If you notice there has been a common thread in all of the Fruits of the Spirit and that is a call to examine ourselves.
A daily walk to examine our own lives and to maintain good works, keeping His commandments, walking in His ways. Not just because the blessings laid out in Deuteronomy 28 are so great, but because He desires us to be faithful servants. Remember the parable of the talents? Are you the good and faithful servant that went out and multiplied what the Father provisioned you with, or are you the wicked servant who buried his one talent?
“and being afraid, I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’”
The master could not trust this servant because the servant was not faithful to the call of obedience.
YHWH is completely trustworthy, and we must do our part by walking in obedience to Him. This is not just an invitation to follow a set of rules like the Pharisees did, but to walk wholeheartedly, with our hearts transformed and our eyes focused on the straight and narrow path.
O YHWH, Your loving-commitment is in the heavens, And Your trustworthiness reaches to the clouds
Faith Prepares us for Battle
But Daviḏ said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the Name of YHWH of hosts, the Elohim of the armies of Yisra’ĕl, whom you have reproached. “This day YHWH shall deliver you into my hand, and I shall strike you and take your head from you, and give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines today to the birds of the heavens and the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth know that Elohim is for Yisra’ĕl, and all this assembly know that YHWH does not save with sword and spear, for the battle belongs to YHWH, and He shall give you into our hands.”
David boldly declared his victory over Goliath before the battle began. His confidence came from his deep experiences with YHWH and his belief that victory was assured because he fought in YHWH’S name. (He understood the covenant) As a shepherd, he had spent countless hours in the wilderness listening to YHWH, and no giant’s taunts could shake his faith in what Yah could accomplish through him.
David displayed a faith through his relationship with YHWH that was a result of spending time in His presence. It was because of this faith that David was empowered to face challenges confidently, knowing that he was loved by Yah. Through relationship and faith David was filled with courage and wisdom. Whenever doubts arose, he reflected on YHWH’s unwavering faithfulness which strengthened his trust.
How can we be victorious?
For us to be victorious, we should practice David’s spiritual habits.
Spend time with YHWH
Keep a mental record of His work and faithfulness in your life. When things in life get tough or you feel your faith begin to waver, think back on all the time YHWH has been faithful in your life and all the prayers that have been answered. Think back on the impossible circumstance that was made possible, when He made a way for you, when there seem to be no way!
Remember the trials and wilderness experiences He brought you through and the frustration you felt while on the journey. Remember the times you questioned Him asking why is this happening? Why am I going through all of this?
Then, when it seem like the clouds were parting, you discovered through all the pain and hardship He was leading you and guiding you like a shepherded leads his flock. Through the wilderness you now see that if He had lifted His hand from you even for a second, you may not be here today.
YHWH is faithful which enables us to be faithful in His plans, knowing that He is always in control.