Mark 11:23-24 is probably one of the most well-known passages of scriptures in the Bible.
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. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Regarding this verse, the phrase ‘only believe’ has been on my mind for several days.
As you know, I believe the power of our words are important. I believe in confessing the Word of God over ourselves, our lives, and our families. I believe what Proverbs 18:21 says: that we will eat the fruit of our lips.
However, I also believe there is more to it than merely confessing the Word of God.
I was recently reminded of a conversation with God about this subject.
My question was, “God, if we are confessing the Word and confessing what we want to see happen in our lives, why is the Body of Christ not seeing the fruit of that Word in their lives?”
His reply to me was quick and simple.
“If you confessed you were a turtle, would you become a turtle?” He asked.
“No, of course not.” I responded.
“Regardless of how many times you confessed it, you wouldn’t become a turtle?” He again asked. “No matter how fervently you said it?”
I answered “no, I would not.”
“Even though the Word says nothing is impossible?” He asked. Then He questioned me, “why not?”
I said, “I don’t believe I am a turtle.”
Ah.
Mark 11:22-23 says, So, Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 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.
We see this same truth in Matthew 21:21-22; So, Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
We, at times, confess the Word yet we don’t fully believe the Word we are speaking. The Bible is clear, if we have faith and do not doubt, then we will have what we say. If we believe in our heart that God will do what we are confessing, then and only then will we eat the fruit of those words.
Could this be a missing link?
I have never liked the saying that confession brings possession, even though I fully believe in the power of our words. Perhaps it is because there is more to it than that. There is more to it than simply saying a few scriptures and hoping they come to pass. You must believe, fully believe, with no doubt, the words coming out of your mouth.
I heard a man say something this weekend. He was talking about the scripture that says if we pray and believe we receive when we pray, we will have it. He said if you have prayed and not yet received, it is because you don’t fully believe. While this is something I will have to ponder on for a while, I believe that the timing of the Lord applies at certain times. It prompted me to ask myself, “Do I believe what I have prayed? Do I REALLY believe? Is there any doubt or unbelief?”
So, my question to you today is not, are you confessing God’s Word? But, do you believe what you are confessing? Are you fully persuaded that God can do what you are asking of Him?
If so, awesome!
If not, you can work on that! Spend time in His Word. Spend time in His presence. Pray and repent of unbelief and ask Him to work it all out of you. He wants you to have what you say even more than you do. He will help you, so ask Him. And only believe.
