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St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that faith confers four benefits, faith: unites the soul with God; introduces the soul to eternal life; guides the present life; and helps overcome temptation.

The soul is wedded to God through faith, for “I will espouse you in faithfulness” (Hosea 2:20).  A soul lacking faith is not acceptable to the Lord, “for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23), “[a]nd without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 10:6).

Knowledge of God is obtained through faith and eternal life is achieved through knowing God, for “this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Faith teaches what is necessary to live life rightly, by “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).  Faith also teaches that there is another life to in addition to this, for “if Christ has not been raised, then … [our] faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14).

Faith helps to overcome temptations from the Devil to disobey God.  However, we can “resist him, firm in [our] faith” (1 Peter 5:9).  Faith can also help to overcome temptations of the world knowing that greater riches lie beyond this world: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).  Furthermore, faith helps to overcome temptations of the flesh by “putting on the shield of faith” in all things (Ephesians 6:16).