Mark 11:22-23 Have faith in God. Truly I tell you if anyone says to this mountain be removed and be cast into the sea and does not doubt in their heart but believes what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
Jesus reveals that the word of faith is declared.
The spiritual principle as revealed by King Solomon in Proverbs 4:23 is whatever is rooted in your heart is what springs forth in your life. Jesus says: Whatever you believe in your heart is what will come out of your mouth.
But the first thing Jesus reveals is where to put your faith. It's in God, period.
Faith is at the heart and center of self-help and motivational courses and books. But it is a faith in “Self” and Christ is removed. You are becoming your own god and you control your world. But Jesus tells us to worship not self, but God – “Have faith in God”.
God is the one, true God. He is the true source of life. If you were sick with cancer, your faith cannot save or heal you but faith in a God who heals can save you. Faith in yourself only leads to self-centredness and arrogance but faith in God leads to humility and service to help others.
I love the story of the prophet Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones. (Ezekiel 37) Ezekiel was placed in the middle of the valley and he was surrounded by death. God said to him “can these bones live”? Ezekiel, probably wondering if this was a trick question replied, “you know my Lord”.
God then commanded Ezekiel to declare life into those dry bones and as he stepped out in faith and declared the Word of God over those bones, there was a rumbling noise and bone came to bone. Flesh appeared on them and the Bible says a mighty, powerful army rose up and walked out of that valley.
This is a powerful, prophetic declaration of the church today rising up with the resurrection power of Christ, becoming a mighty army of the kingdom of God and bringing His blessing throughout the world today.
Likewise, in Mark 4 Jesus is teaching us the power of declaring the word of faith into our surroundings.
Often we look at the deadness and lifelessness of things around us – your job might be going nowhere, your marriage might be dead, your children might have no hope or future or there might be mountains and obstacles in your path. But Jesus says stop describing your surroundings and start declaring My Word over your surroundings. Start speaking to the mountain.
This is called the word of faith. Jesus said when you believe in your heart and do not doubt, whatever you declare shall come to pass. It’s continuing to water that seed of faith through your words. Then it grows into a magnificent tree of life.
This is the person who declares mighty things over their surroundings. They will see God’s power bringing transformation into their life and surroundings.