Are You Truly in Faith? - Free Indeed - Ep. 43

Summary

Barry Bennett teaches that living by faith means trusting God’s Word rather than allowing circumstances, feelings, finances, or personal performance to determine one’s outlook. He describes faith as being fully persuaded in the heart that God’s promises are true and that God can do what He has promised.

Using Abraham’s example in Romans 4:20–21, Bennett says faith can be strengthened by hearing and acting on God’s Word, giving glory to God, and choosing to trust what God says. He contrasts faith with unbelief, which he likens to a growing cancer: it can undermine belief in God’s goodness, a person’s identity in Christ, and confidence in God’s promises.

Bennett emphasizes that God’s Word is pure and dependable. He encourages listeners to examine whether they are living by it or by their changing feelings.

Signs of Living by Faith

Bennett identifies the following as indicators of faith:

1. Peace and joy: Faith brings peace and joy even when circumstances are difficult. Bennett illustrates this with watching a recorded football game after already knowing the outcome: knowing the result can make it possible to enjoy the game despite its setbacks. He compares this to trusting God’s promised outcome.
2. Excitement about God’s Word: Scripture should be valued as a treasure, not treated merely as an obligation.
3. Being energized by what feeds you: Bennett urges listeners to notice what captures their attention and time. In his view, valuing and spending time with God’s Word supports spiritual life, while being absorbed in worldly concerns can distract from it.
4. Focus on God and attentiveness to Him: He encourages regularly hearing, reading, and meditating on God’s Word rather than relying on a past spiritual experience.
5. Pursuing what you value: Bennett applies “seek first the kingdom of God” to everyday priorities, saying hobbies and entertainment should not displace seeking God.
6. Fellowship with God: Faith involves a living relationship with the Father, not merely knowing doctrines or being able to quote Scripture.
7. Ongoing growth: Bennett describes the Word working in a person as producing increasing love, faith, peace, joy, confidence, and vision.

Practical Approach

Bennett encourages listeners to:

• Examine what is shaping their outlook: Ask whether they are responding mainly to God’s Word, circumstances, or feelings.
• Choose to trust Scripture: Stand on what they believe God has said.
• Spend time with the Word: Read, hear, and meditate on it regularly.
• Give thanks and glory to God: Bennett points to this as a way faith is strengthened.
• Seek God first and maintain fellowship with Him: Make time to listen to and pursue God, even when other activities are appealing.
• Assess the fruit in their lives: Consider whether peace, joy, confidence, and spiritual growth are increasing.
• Change course when needed: Bennett closes by praying that viewers will be stirred to value God’s Word, hear God, pursue Him, and grow in faith.

The episode ends with a prayer, an invitation to contact the network for prayer or partnership, and a mention of a booklet based on a message by Andrew Wommack.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Barry Bennett — Host and principal speaker; identifies himself as an instructor at Charis Bible College.
• The Bible — Scripture passages cited include Romans 4:20–21; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 18:2 and 18:30; Psalm 5:12; Psalm 37; Psalm 119:162; Jeremiah 15:16; Romans 8:6; John 6:63; Matthew 4:4 and 6:33; Romans 10:17; 1 John 1:3; and Isaiah 55:11. Bennett also refers to Jesus’ words in John 8 about truth and freedom.
• Andrew Wommack — Mentioned as the author of a book and related booklet promoted at the end of the episode.