The Oxford dictionary defines faith

noun

• 1. complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
  “this restores one’s faith in politicians”
• Similar: trust, belief, confidence, conviction, credence, reliance, dependence, optimism, hopefulness, hope, expectation
• Opposite: mistrust
• 2. strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

If we allow the world to define faith we will find ourselves severely limited in our ability to comprehend all that faith is and does in experiencing true faith. So many times in my past when people ask me “What faith are you?” they only want to discover what religious affiliations I have.

I will go with definition 1 complete trust and confidence is someone and that someone being Jesus Christ. Yet that statement is inadequate to explain the experience that is the result of placing my faith in Christ.

Placing my faith in Christ has an expected outcome similar to planting a seed in fertile ground. What we plant can only produce one tree, for man is like a tree planted by a river, which produces fruit of its own type. This I understand from Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:8 because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17

The biblical experience is not confined to mere definitions and will not be kept in a box to be viewed in secret where no one else can see it or discover its power.

Psalm 119:107

I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!

John 5:24

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 6:63

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

1 John 1

The Word of Life

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7 English Standard Version

Judging Others

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Is it wise that we should operate on ourselves to remove obstacles to clear vision?

Luke 4:23

And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘“Physician, heal yourself.”

While seeking the Proverb Jesus is referring to here the only thing I could find was Proverbs 4:20-22 (ESV)

20 My son, be attentive to my words;incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

Irony is quoting scripture to Jesus. This does however give us a method of having the Word of Truth do the surgery to remove any impediment in seeing the truth in any situation.

Judging a righteous judgment might be seen as allowing the Holy Spirit to tell us what Jesus has to say on any matter. If the scripture remains silent on the matter, perhaps we should also remain silent.

This boils down to His Word being embedded in our hearts.

The thing that is helpful to remember here is that the heart is not dependent on memory skills which decline in performance as we age.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We do not have to understand it to believe it. It is an issue of faith.