Sometimes the Bible speaks of faith as having degrees. For example: "Oh ye of little faith!" and "faith as small as a mustard seed." Are there degrees of faith, little or much, strong or weak for example? It seems clear to me from the verses I quoted, that the answer is yes. What do you think? Also, does that affect the fruits of the spirit in your life? Also, is there anything you can do to increase or strengthen your faith?
I agree that there are degrees
Matthew 6:30
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of
little faith?
Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so
great faith, no, not in Israel.
And even no faith.
As fare as how to "strengthen your faith", I believe there are two components that affect it. Hearing and doing. Faith in any area will come the more you hear about it. Every gold medalist will have heard "you can do it" thousands of times. In the area of faith, I believe it is the word of God for man shall not eat of bread alone but of every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. It is faith food.
Then again, the house that withstands the winds of adversity is the one who hears the word and then does it. So, in essence, faith without a corresponding action is like the one who heard "you can do it" but never does it. Potential is there but no fruit comes from it.
It would appear to me that you can be full of faith and yet it isn't necessarily connected to the fruits of the spirit. They are two streams where one can exist without the other but together form a formidable powerhouse. I would say the gifts of the Spirit is a river but the fruit of the Spirit are the banks that keeps the gifts from overflowing the banks into destruction. One can be full of faith and use it to manipulate people. IMO.
