Just as in repentance, all four basic areas of life are touched: mind, emotion, will, and spirit. Genuine per- suasion creates right thinking about God, right feeling, definite decisions, and spiritual commitment. Faith activates the whole man. 

 Mind.

Faith is more than intellectual assent; it is commitment with knowledge to obey the truth of the gospel. Men cannot believe until they have heard the message or “good news”; this is why preaching, teaching, and literature are essential. The mind must be informed of the truth. 

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Rom. 10:14- 16). 

 Emotion.

Until our affections are captivated, mental assent will not necessarily lead to change. We must be deeply stirred and our desires must embrace the truth about Jesus. Heart response is absolutely essential, for everything else flows out from the heart. 

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9, 10). 

 Will.

Real persuasion results in action. It is the will that sets us into motion. We may think things over and allow our emotions to dwell upon them with delight, but until we decide to act, we do not do anything about our faith. Christ requires obedience and this is impossible apart from the determination of the will. We must decide to become involved in Christ by doing what He has said to do. 

“[The Philippian jailer] said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:30, 31). 

 Spirit.

Faith makes us receptive to God. He can enter into us and change us. The Holy Spirit produces within us the continued ability to believe God and enables us to grow up into His likeness as we persevere in believing.  

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name “(John 1:12).