So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). This passage of Scripture is the foundation to faith itself. This is God’s way of establishing saving faith in the heart of each individual. There is no exception to this. No one can become a Christian without first hearing God’s word or the Gospel (Acts 15:7). And no Christian can continue in the faith (Col. 1:23) or increase their faith (Luke 17:5) without the hearing of God’s word.

Faith Comes by Hearing God’s Word, not the Traditions or Creeds of Men.

The Bible warns not to become captivated or enslaved by the traditions of men (Col. 2:8). Traditions or creeds written by men can in fact invalidate the word of God or make it of no effect in our lives (Mat. 15:6). Creeds of men are usually established with good intentions with the goal to declare one’s religious beliefs to the world. Yet, too often the result is that it adds to God’s will, an act which God prohibits (Rev. 22:18-19). No matter how appealing, wise, or helpful traditions or creeds may seem, they cannot be the basis of our faith. Only God’s word can produce genuine faith in the hearts of men and women (Rom. 10:17). Only the Gospel has the power to save (Rom. 1:16).

Faith Comes by Hearing God’s Word, not Worldly Wisdom and Philosophy.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Col. 2:8, NASB). There is a real danger of putting our faith and trust in the sayings of men, rather than in Christ and His word. Lest we forget that Christ has been given all authority (Mat. 28:18), we need to be careful not to give the same weight and emphasis to the wisdom of this world. While it is sometimes the case that wisdom found in the world complements (not contradicts) God’s word, it is still not the source of knowledge that actually strengthens our faith. Only God’s word can build our faith properly (Rom. 10:17).

What do you put stock in? The sayings of Shakespeare and Benjamin Franklin or the teaching of Jesus (John 12:48) and His apostles (1 Cor. 14:37)? Many preachers rely on the quotations of famous men instead of “book, chapter, and verse” of the Bible to persuade people to accept their message. Scripture is often treated as secondary instead of primary in the preaching that takes place in many pulpits today. Though the people may be “moved” by the writings of men, only the preaching of God’s word will generate true, saving faith (Rom. 10:17).

Faith Comes by Hearing God’s Word, not Entertainment.

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim 4:2-4). More and more people today want to be entertained by their preachers and “Bible class” teachers. Instead of the desire for truth and the preaching of God’s word, people want their “ears tickled,” want to be made to laugh and to feel good about themselves. Sermons that “reprove, rebuke, exhort” are rejected as “negative preaching” that is out-of-date for the needs of modern Man.

Congregations that receive a steady diet of entertainment with minimal emphasis on the Scriptures will not be strong in their faith. Attempts to draw non-Christians to God by entertaining means (e.g., drama plays, concerts, “motivational” speakers, etc.) will not result in true conversions to Jesus Christ. Only by hearing God’s word can people be saved, grow spiritually, and be faithful until the end (Rom. 10:17; cf. 1 Pet. 2:2; Rev. 2:10).