Podcast Summary: The Violence of Faith, Part One | Nancy Dufresne | Jesus the Healer Broadcast

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host/Speaker: Nancy Dufresne
Episode Date: September 10, 2020
Episode Theme: Understanding and Practicing the "Violence of Faith"
Duration Sketch: ~27 minutes of message (ads/intro/outro trimmed away from summary)

Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne explores the concept of the "violence of faith," inspired by Matthew 11:12—“The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” She challenges believers to reject passivity in their spiritual lives, and instead to actively and aggressively take hold of the blessings God has made available. Through Scripture explanation, personal anecdotes, and practical encouragements, Nancy illustrates that faith must be forceful, persistent, and intentional to overcome opposition and receive God's promises.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Forceful Nature of Faith

(00:08 – 05:30)

• Nancy highlights Matthew 11:12 in both King James and Amplified versions:
  • “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”
  • The Amplified expands: “…violent men seize it by force as a precious prize…with most ardent zeal and intense exertion.”
• The passage teaches that:
  • God has made blessings and promises available, but they don’t "just show up."
  • Believers must take possession by faith—“A passive approach to spiritual things will leave us without.”
  • Quote: “Faith people are people who take. And if you're not taking, you're not in faith.” (06:40)
  • Faith must be active, not casual or passive.

2. Faith vs. Circumstance

(05:30 – 12:00)

• External changes (economic, political, social) do not stop the flow of God’s supply.
• Quote: “Your supply is still available for the taking. Our answers, our help are still available for the taking.” (07:30)
• The tendency to wait for circumstances to improve (or for others to act) can cause believers to miss God’s best.
• Illustration: If you’re not going to take what’s available, someone else will.

3. Personal Anecdote: The Pie Story

(12:01 – 14:30)

• Nancy tells a family story: her mother made a pie, but the last piece was nearly lost in family indecision.
• Quote: “If you won’t do your part, someone else will, and they’ll get your portion. Someone else could end up with what was intended for you.” (14:24)
• Links this story to the parable of the talents—if you won’t pursue what God gives, He’ll give it to someone who will.

4. Spiritual Aggression, Not Physical Violence

(14:31 – 16:40)

• “Is he talking about physical force? Absolutely not. He’s talking about the force of faith.” (14:50)
• Faith is a force that does not let go—like children fighting over a toy, the one who won’t let go wins.
• The devil, as a thief, will take from those who are passive:
  • “If the devil wants to rob from you more than you want to take, he’ll rob it... He will steal from you what belongs to you.” (15:54)

5. Active, Persistent Faith vs. Half-Heartedness

(16:41 – 21:10)

• Nancy recounts a personal experience with illness, sharing how half-hearted resistance left her without results.
  • The Spirit prompted her: “Now would be a good time to do what you preach.” (17:51)
• She emphasizes the need to "stir up" faith (as Paul wrote to Timothy).
• Faith must override feelings; action may be inconvenient, but passivity costs more.

6. How to 'Take' by Faith: Words, Authority, Worship

(21:11 – 26:30)

• Taking involves using your authority—speaking God’s Word, and then worshipping (not just waiting passively).
• “Worship is one way you take. Worshiping God is a taking action.” (21:41)
• “Taking” is not struggling against God, but reaching past opposition and hindrances (from the devil, circumstances, or our own wrong thinking):
  • “You’re not taking it because God’s withholding. You’re taking it because there’s going to be opposition to what God has already released…” (23:51)

7. Faith Analogy: Fishing and Reeling-In

(24:00 – 27:00)

• Nancy uses a fishing illustration:
  • Casting out words of faith is like throwing a fishing line; once you "hook" something (by faith), you must “reel it in” through ongoing worship and persistence.
  • The devil tries to "nibble" or “steal” what faith has hooked, using doubt, offense, or unforgiveness.
  • Quote: “Worship is you reeling in what you hooked with your faith… Don’t quit… Keep reeling until that thing manifests in your body.” (25:45)
  • Sometimes you worship/reel longer, depending on how far your words or circumstances have sent the answer.

8. The “Click” of Faith and Staying in the Spirit

(26:31 – 29:00)

• When faith truly lays hold, you “know” it (even before symptoms or circumstances change).
• Quote: “If I do something different than what the Spirit was leading me to, now I’m following my mind and not my spirit. And then the devil has a place of entrance to steal from you what you laid hold of.”* (27:05)
• Faith operates regardless of feelings; sometimes manifestation comes afterward (shared experience: healed after acting in faith).

9. Final Challenge & Encouragement

(29:01 – End)

• 2020 (and every year) will only be "your best year yet" if you take what God has made available—by faith, daily.
• Quote: “The kingdom of heaven invites violence. And you will have in the year 2020 what you took… Be a taker every day.” (27:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Faith people are people who take. And if you’re not taking, you’re not in faith.” (06:40)
• “If you won’t do your part, someone else will, and they’ll get your portion.” (14:24)
• “Faith is a force that will win. Faith is a force that will not let go.” (14:55)
• “If the devil wants to rob from you more than you want to take, he’ll rob it… He will steal from you what belongs to you.” (15:54)
• “Now would be a good time to do what you preach.” (17:51, God to Nancy during a moment of passive resistance)
• “Worship is one way you take. Worshiping God is a taking action.” (21:41)
• “You’re not taking it because God’s withholding. You’re taking it because there’s going to be opposition to what God has already released toward your life.” (23:51)
• “Worship is you reeling in what you hooked with your faith… Don’t quit… Keep reeling until that thing manifests in your body.” (25:45)
• “The kingdom of heaven invites violence. And you will have in the year 2020 what you took… Be a taker every day.” (27:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:08–05:30: Opening, Matthew 11:12 deep dive, introduction to "violence of faith"
• 05:31–12:00: Faith vs. Circumstance, the necessity of active taking
• 12:01–14:30: The Pie Story—missing blessings through passivity
• 14:31–16:40: The force of faith, child-like persistence, warning about the thief
• 16:41–21:10: Half-heartedness vs. full engagement, stirring up faith (personal healing story)
• 21:11–26:30: Practical steps for faith—authority, worship, overcoming opposition
• 24:00–27:00: The fishing/reeling-in analogy; staying persistent in worship
• 26:31–29:00: The click of faith, staying in the spirit not the mind
• 29:01–End: Closing exhortation—be a daily taker

Tone and Language

Throughout the episode, Nancy Dufresne’s tone is urgent, encouraging, and practical, blending scriptural teaching with personal stories and metaphors. She balances pastoral warmth (“I gotta tell you this story...”) with spiritual challenge (“Faith people are people who take”), always pushing listeners to believe for more and act decisively.

Summary in a Sentence

Nancy Dufresne calls believers to the “violence of faith”—actively and persistently laying hold of God’s blessings through bold, ongoing actions, refusing passivity, and never letting go until they see the promises of God fully manifest in their lives.