Mental Assent

The condition referred to as ‘mental assent’ happens when one tries to act as if they are in faith when they are really still in hope. Hope comes before faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

As you see the above verse – faith is (present tense) the substance of things hoped for (past tense). Faith is the substance of things already hoped for. Hope is wonderful and necessary but it is not faith. Hope knows that it may receive something, but faith knows that it will receive something. In fact, faith has already received it.

Hope comes primarily from reading the word of God. Faith comes by hearing the word of God by the Holy Spirit. It is the witness by God to the heart that you now have your hoped desire. It comes when you seek Him and hear Him. Faith is that which brings your hopes into reality.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the (spoken) word of God (Christ). Romans 10:17

Hope is primarily in the mind. Faith is primarily in the heart. ‘Mental ascent’ happens when the hopeful mind thinks that it is a believing heart. You know when you are in faith and you know when you are not in faith. Your heart knows and your mind should know. After you have been in faith, you will be able to tell the difference. Faith is based on hearing God and knowing that you know that you know. It is a knowing at your deepest level.

Once we have faith we have authority, we have ownership, and we can release that faith into the world. Once you have faith in your heart, you can release it in power-filled prayer.

Therefore, I say unto you, Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them. Mark 11:24

Comments

  1. Awesome breakdown of “mental ascent,” hope & faith! Much love my brother!

  2. These were the true heroes, commended for their faith, yet they lived in hope without receiving the fullness of what was promised them.
    Hebrews 11:39 TPT

    God called them true heroes, commending their faith. They lived in hoped without recieving what was promised to them. You cannot simple judged that those hoping on the promises of God but never recieved it are faithless. God called them true heroes commending their faith.

  3. Hi im Busi I had been married for a year and not getting children I read Mark 11:24 and I started to pray and believed that I had received a child I started thanking God for my bouncing beautiful baby, even when I was having my monthly periods I would raise my hands thank and praise God for the Baby He had blessed me with even though I was not holding the baby in my arms yet I did this for sometimes without tiring and after some months I did get pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby girl. I now have three grown up children and for all three of them I prayed and believed that I had received them and God blessd me with them

    1. This testimony is so encouraging! And I know that God is speaking to me through it! My wife and I are trying to have a baby. I thank God and rejoice for what He did for you and your family, and I receive that same miracle in my life in Jesus Name!

  4. Hi Gary. You say here as I quote
    “Hope knows that it may receive something, but faith knows that it will receive something. In fact, faith has already received it.”
    I am not sure how is this statement not not different from ‘mental assent’. If you faith knows that it will receive something , is not this some glorified hope. The Amp Bible says faith is a “title deed” which means proof. Now this gives me an understanding that you only have proof of something in your possession not something that you “will receive”. In other words faith puts it in the past, it says you already have it. Others may not see it but you have proof in your spirit that you have it. Thank you.

    1. Author

      Bheki – Hope knows the potential of the promises of God but does not yet have the full ownership of a promise. You are correct, faith is the ‘title deed’ or ownership of the promise (see – Faith Is ‘hupostasis’ – Hebrews 11:1). You actually possess, or receive, the actual physical answer to the promise in the future, but you own it now by God’s confirmation of the word (promise) in your heart. That is what a title deed is – a document proving ownership. Your ‘proof’ is God having spoken to you. Faith, the Bible says, comes from hearing and hearing by the (spoken) word of Christ – Romans 10:17.

      Hope knows the potential of the future but does not have it ‘now.’ As such it is close or identical to what is commonly referred to as ‘mental ascent.’ That is what this article is getting at. Rex

  5. Gary you are a typical legalistic Christian sort of like a Pharisee, always using the Greek words to prove your points putting down others like an elite, give it up and learn from others.

  6. I came across mental assent as I was studying hebrews in my bible and that was very well described. Thank you!

  7. This is a great site. It has tons of information. We love you Gary, but go start your own website or better yet go share the Gospel instead of trying to tear down what FM is doing here.

  8. This is one area where the “faith movement” misses the mark.

    The original greek of Hebrews 11:1 uses a word which is a transitional word–not a time-based word. This is why some translations use the word “therefore” instead of “now.”

    The verse gives a definition to faith but if we are really honest and base doctrine on the text of scripture (instead of a translation which seems to support our preconceived ideas) this verse does not provide a time element.

    That is to be found in other verses…

    1. Author

      Gary – The ‘Now’ and ‘Therefore” are transitional. I totally agree. That is not the point. The word translated ‘Faith’ is present tense (faith ‘is’) and the Greek word for ‘hope’ is past tense (‘hoped for’). Receiving is in the future – things not (yet) seen. The Bible stops there and I stop there. That is good enough.

      Why do some people need to be so quick to show how other people ‘miss the mark?’ They are adept at the lingo but miss the heart of it. I am not here to show anybody else that they are wrong. I just want to show the way to faith as best as I can. If you truly want to help fine, if not, go correct someone else. I am sure there are plenty to keep you busy.

        1. Author

          Precious – Thank you. I need it. God bless you. Rex

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