Faith is key to receiving from God! But what happens when we’re standing in faith, and we still don’t see our breakthrough?

We find the answer in 2 Peter 1:5-7.

There are seven things we must add to our faith for it to be effective. If something isn’t manifesting in your life, check the following:

1. Virtue. In this verse, virtue is translated as moral excellence. We go to the Word, not the world, to find our standard of moral excellence. Living a life of honor, integrity and obedience to God’s Word is the kind of virtue that supports faith.

2. Knowledge. We have to have a solid knowledge of the Word of God to defeat the enemy and have faith that can receive from God. Your greatest defense against the devil, and a strong supporter of faith, is a renewed mind. Spend time in the Word daily!

3. Self-Control. You can make good confessions every day, but undo them by gossiping, criticizing, complaining or refusing to forgive. We must have self-control when it comes to our mouths and our bodies. Our flesh can’t be calling the shots if we want our faith to work.

4. Patience. Patience is waiting with joy because we know God always keeps His Word. Patience holds a good attitude no matter how long it has to wait. Without patience, faith will quit. If we’re not patient, we’ll settle for the wrong thing. We’ll accept something that comes quicker to satisfy ourself.

5. Godliness. Godliness is God-likeness—to be like God in all we do. If He wouldn’t think it, say it or do it, neither should we. It doesn’t mean we’re perfect, but we’re aspiring to be like Him. We’re putting in the effort. We’re more interested in His plan than we are in our own plans.

6. Brotherly Kindness. Galatians 6:10 (NIV) tells us, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” We have to make a distinction between love for the brethren and love for all men. There’s a divine order in things. We walk in love with all men, but we give our first and best to those we are divinely connected to—the Body of Christ.

7. Love. If you’re not walking in love, your faith won’t work. And without your faith in operation, those things you’re believing for aren’t going to come to pass. That’s why we talk about walking in love so much—it’s a prerequisite for promotion! To take love to the next level and walk in love as God has commanded, you will put others’ interests ahead of your own, you won’t be touchy and easily offended, you’ll talk to others with kindness, you will forgive, and you will be patient and thoughtful.

As these seven things are put in place, your faith will flourish, and you will always receive what you need.