Faith that Frustrates Hell
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Jun 14
- 2 min read
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)
Your faith is meant to grow. Paul, writing to the churches in Thessaloniki, told them that their faith was growing exceedingly; it was not staying stagnant, not maintaining, not plateauing, and not keeping at the same level. The word used there signifies that it was increasing beyond the ordinary level. The Greek word for exceedingly is hyperauxanō—it means to grow above and beyond what’s expected. See, you don’t need MORE faith; you need mature faith.
However, Paul also mentioned that as their faith grew, charity grew alongside it. That’s not charity in terms of donations. The Greek word used here is agape. It’s God’s kind of love that doesn’t give up or quit. That’s a love that refuses to be offended, moves forward even when frustrated, and pushes through inconvenience. You know you're growing when you begin to love the people you used to avoid. You know you're maturing in your faith journey when you can honor those who don’t deserve it and forgive those who still haven’t apologized.
Paul wrote that the leaders in the church glory for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations. Why? Because when the pressure mounted on them, they didn’t fold or flinch. They took the hits from the surrounding culture and the enemy of their faith and kept going. Instead of losing ground as the enemy wished, they produced fruit.
Good ground doesn’t avoid affliction; it grows despite it. When you live at that level of faith, the devil doesn’t know what to do with you. If he tries to strike me, I’ll praise louder. You can cultivate a faith that frustrates the enemy with every word you speak and every action you take.
Practical Application
Have you allowed pressure in life to choke the Word, or are you pressing forward with fruit? Say this aloud today: “I am good ground. My faith is growing. My love is abounding. My life is producing. No matter what comes, I will not quit."
