2 Peter 1:5 says, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…” Then he listed seven inward graces: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. 

Our faith is grounded and increased through God’s word. Romans 10:17. James 1:22 adds personal application. It says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves.” How does deception creep in? We don’t allow His word to change us. We see it as a way others need to change, but we don’t allow it to pierce our heart.

Hebrews 4:12 says His word pierces, “…even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Without embedding truth into our heart, our old thought processes will never change. We will continue to loop the lies we have believed about ourselves.