Moving Mountains

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” (Mark 11:23 NKJV)

Let us take a closer look at this passage of Scripture:

• Assuredly - In the original language, this is actually the word “amen”. When it is placed at the beginning of a passage, it emphasizes the truthfulness of what is about to be said. Jesus is thus saying, for us to pay attention, because what he’s about to say is absolutely true.

• Whoever - This is something that applies to everybody: the mature believer, beginner Christians, and even the barely saved. The exercise of faith is something for which everyone has equal standing.

• Says to this mountain - As followers of Christ, we are told here to command the mountain. Don’t get me wrong, God is always willing to listen to us about what is on our hearts, however, many Christians spend their time asking God to do something that He has most likely already done His part to provide. Our part, however, is to take up the authority that God has given us to vanquish the enemy on His behalf (Luke 10:19). 

• Does not doubt in his heart - Notice that it says “heart” and not head. You can have doubt in your head and not ever have it touch your heart. In fact, this is one of the tools the enemy uses to get believers to back off of a situation. He will put doubts in your mind, in hopes that you will adopt them as your own and make you feel inadequate. If his tactic works, the believer will soon stop fighting him, and will accept defeat. This is only in the head, and not the heart. The heart involves relationship with God and settling in your spirit, once and for all, that God’s word is absolutely true and that every promise in it must be fulfilled, because of His faithfulness.

• Believes…those things he says - Be confident. Settle it in your spirit, and speak it boldly. Regardless of the current facts, the word of God remains the Truth. Be forceful if you have to, this will also help to cement your faith and give you the fight to push through. Sure, it may seem silly, but do it anyway. Get alone, get serious, and get loud. Let the devil know you mean business.

• Will have whatever he says - Be careful with what you are saying. This can be both good or bad. Both “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). For example, if you believe that you will get sick every October, and you repeat that…guess what? You will get sick every October. If however, you believe that God will provide for your every need, and you repeat that, then it will go well with you. Another tool of the enemy is through the media and in others’ opinions. If he can get believers to believe that the economy will tank, or that society is getting worse and worse, and if he can get them to say that with confidence, then it will be done. Let us therefore seek to always repeat the word of God.

Is there a mountain in your way, blocking the will of God for your life? Is there a sickness or an addiction? Is depression or anxiety attacking you or a loved one? Speak to that mountain with the authority of Christ, get yourself a fighting buddy among the brethren and battle together against the enemy until it submits to the will of God.

For some really cool examples of commands in action read:
Mark 4:36-39 . Mark 11:13-21 . Acts 3:1-8 . Acts 13:8-11

May you ever be valiant in the Lord,
Jason