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Diciples of Little Faith


By E.A. Green

What is it that distinguishes mature disciples? Having a Primitive Baptist family tree? Long-standing membership in the Church? A notable spiritual experience in the past? While each of these are a true blessing and have their place, yet by themselves, they may only be a veil to disguise underlying pride and carnality, worldliness, and spiritual immaturity.

In verse 30 of the sixth chapter of Matthew , Jesus addresses his audience, “O ye of little faith.” Do you know why they had "little faith"? Jesus did. He clearly understood why they had such little faith, and he was diligent to direct them to it’s cause. In the context, Jesus addressed three specific areas of life which affect faith:

  1. The Affections v.19-21
  2. The Understanding v.22-23
  3. The Will v. 24

    He knew that their spiritual immaturity and little faith was directly related to these three areas.

In this lesson, we will discover that little faith is not the real problem; it is a symptom of the problem. We tend to focus on the symptom, don’t we? We fret and whine about having little faith, but our situation doesn’t change, does it? Why? Because we are not confronting the underlying problem which created the symptom of little faith.

    (1). Our Affections
    “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt.6:21

    In this verse, the “heart” signifies our affections. Our “treasure” is the things or objects which we desire and greatly value; those things we invest our time, talent, and energy to acquire. The contrasting “treasures” are the perishable objects of our present culture vs. the enduring benefits of a godly life. As metallic particles are drawn to the magnet, so our heart/affections are drawn to our treasure... whichever it be.

    (2). Our Understanding
    “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness.” Matt. 6:22,23

    In the scripture, the eye often signifies the understanding...a faculty of the mind. This is how it is used by Paul in Ephesians 1:18, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;”
    The single eye is a good one...one that perceives clearly and functions as it ought. A person with good sight does not stumble or grope around as if he were in the dark. He can discern potential danger and avoid it. Likewise, a disciple with understanding is equipped to discern and avoid the snares and pitfalls in our present culture. They can say with the Psalmist, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”Ps.119:104

    (3). Our will
    “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. 6:24

    In this verse, we are confronted with a vital issue...who do we serve, God...or the objects of this world and culture? This calls for a decision with conviction; a commitment must be made, and this involves the faculty of our will. Every road has a destination, so also, every decision has certain consequences.

Jesus spotlights these three areas for us to guard; areas which, if left unguarded and undisciplined, produce the effect in our lives that we recognize as little faith.

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