Jesus said something in the Gospel of Mark that’s really hard for a lot of people, even Christians, to believe. It sounds so unbelievable and strange that people have a tough time accepting it as true. This statement from Jesus doesn’t fit with what we usually think of as logical or normal. But, no matter how strange it seems, Jesus did say it and we should believe it. Believing in what Jesus said means trusting him completely, even when what he says is really out there and hard to grasp. It’s about having faith in him, even when it challenges what we think we know. 

Let’s take a closer look at Jesus’ words and see how this important truth can deeply impact your life if you trust and act on it. In Mark 11:23, Jesus makes a bold statement: “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.” Jesus starts this statement with “for assuredly” or “truly” in some translations, which shows he’s about to say something very important and wants us to pay close attention. He’s emphasizing that what he’s telling us is completely true. Jesus is saying that our words and beliefs have real power. If we confidently speak and hold those beliefs in our hearts, we will have whatever we say. It’s a radical idea that our faith and words can influence our reality to such an extent, and Jesus stresses this because he knows it’s a tough concept to grasp. But he assures us it’s the truth, encouraging us to embrace this powerful way of living.

Are there any stories in the New Testament where Jesus used his words to change things? Absolutely, we can find clear examples throughout the entire New Testament. For example, we find a clear instance in Matthew 21:19. In this story, Jesus encounters a fig tree that isn’t bearing any fruit. The Bible tells us, “He saw a fig tree by the side of the road, went up to it but found no fruit, just leaves. Then he said to the tree, ‘Never grow fruit again.’ And right away, the fig tree dried up.” What made the tree wither wasn’t a touch or an action; it was simply Jesus’ words. By speaking to the tree, he caused it to dry up demonstrating the power of spoken words. 

The disciples were amazed by this display of power when they saw the fig tree wither so fast. They witnessed what Jesus did and were curious about how he made it happen. Jesus explained to them clearly in the following verses. He said, “Truly, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do not just what you saw with the fig tree. You could even tell a mountain to move and throw itself into the sea, and it would happen. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will get.” This demonstrates that the extraordinary power we witness is also accessible to us, emphasizing that our words, imbued with faith, can achieve remarkable outcomes.

Jesus illustrated the profound capacity to transform circumstances using only words backed by faith. Consider the episode involving Lazarus: he had been deceased for four days before Jesus approached his tomb and merely exclaimed, “Lazarus, come out!” In an extraordinary turn of events, Lazarus emerged from the grave, revived solely by Jesus’s word. On a different occasion, Jesus demonstrated the power of faith filled words over the elements. Amidst a tumultuous storm, with waves surging and winds raging, he rose and commanded peace to the turmoil. The storm abated instantaneously. Moreover, Jesus demonstrated how to expel spirits with his word, such as in an event recounted in Matthew 8:16 (KJV): “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with [his] word, and healed all that were sick.” These narratives underscore the formidable power vested in words, highlighting their potential to effect tangible change, particularly when spoken with conviction and authority.

The concept that words have the power to create and to bring about change isn’t limited to what Jesus did. It actually starts at the very beginning of everything, according to the Bible. When God wanted to create light at the beginning of time, he simply spoke, saying, “Let there be light,” and suddenly, there was light. This wasn’t a one-time event; throughout the creation story, we see a pattern where God speaks things into existence. For instance, when God wanted to create the sky, land, plants, stars, and living creatures, he spoke, and those things came to be. This idea that God’s words have creative power is repeated several times in the first chapter of Genesis, specifically in verses 6, 9, 11, 14, and 20. It’s fascinating to think that the entire universe came into being through God’s spoken words. This tells us that the universe is, in a way, programmed to respond to God’s command. It underscores a broader principle found in the Bible: words, especially when they come with divine authority, are incredibly powerful and can lead to real, tangible changes. 

Hebrews 11:3 illuminates a fundamental truth that the nature of reality was formed by God’s spoken word. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” This verse underscores the immense power of God’s spoken word, which brought the universe into existence from nothingness. It articulates a divine principle, where spoken words are not merely sounds or communication tools but are potent forces that can create and shape reality.

This perspective encourages us to consider the profound significance and power of our own words. When God spoke, He brought the universe into existence—turning chaos into order and creating substance out of nothingness. This concept is emphasized in Psalm 33:6,9, which states By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. This divine act of creating through speech reveals a deep truth about the universe and our role within it, suggesting that our words also carry a semblance of this creative power. It implies that whenever we speak, we partake in a meaningful act that mirrors God’s method of creating the world. Thus, every word we utter has the potential to affect, shape, and create, reflecting the creative nature of God’s word.

James 3:2-6 further delves into the profound impact of our words, emphasizing their potential for both guidance and destruction. This passage reads: “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.”

This scripture uses vivid metaphors to illustrate the power of the tongue and, by extension, our words. It likens the tongue to a bit in a horse’s mouth or a rudder on a ship—small yet capable of directing great forces. Just as these small devices can control large entities, so can the tongue guide or mislead a person’s life or even impact those around them. The passage warns of the tongue’s potential to ‘kindle a great forest fire,’ highlighting how words can escalate into significant consequences. It presents a stark image of the tongue as a source of iniquity that can corrupt the entire body, illustrating that a person that can control their tongue is fully mature and able to control their entire body.

Our words have real power to create positive or negative outcomes in our lives. This idea is highlighted in Proverbs 18:20, which tells us that what we say can figuratively nourish us, just as food does: “From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.” Essentially, our words can bring about results or ‘harvests’ that either benefit or harm us. Proverbs 18:21 further emphasizes the weight of our words by stating, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” This means that our words can cause constructive or destructive consequences in our lives. Just as planting seeds can yield crops depending on what seeds are sown, our words can generate outcomes that reflect their nature. Positive, encouraging words can foster growth and bring good into our lives, while negative, harmful words can result in adverse effects. So, we should be mindful of our words, understanding that they shape our reality and impact our well-being significantly.

Jesus underscores the significant influence our words have in Matthew 12:35, where He states, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” This illustrates that individuals who cultivate goodness in their hearts will inherently ”bring forth” positive effects, whereas those filled with negativity will ”bring forth” detrimental outcomes. but what is it that we do that actually causes this to happen? Jesus provides clarity in the preceding verse, “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” This indicates that our words serve as a mirror to our hearts’ contents. When our hearts are brimming with virtue, our words uplift and heal. In contrast, hearts laden with ill-will or bitterness manifest through words that can harm us and create strife around us. The significance of our words goes well beyond mere communication; as Jesus warns, every careless or empty word spoken will be accounted for in the day of judgment, as he elaborates, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” This passage from Jesus should emphasize the gravity of our words in our lives and their eternal implications.

In discussing Jesus’ teachings from the Gospel of Mark, we uncover a key insight: our words are the vehicle through which our faith is expressed and enacted. Jesus’ message isn’t just a lofty spiritual concept; it’s a practical guide showing us that the things we say have real power, especially when they’re fueled by faith. Essentially, when we speak, we’re not just uttering words; we’re releasing our faith into the world, making our beliefs and convictions take shape and influence reality.

This principle isn’t confined to grand miracles or biblical times; it’s active in our everyday interactions and personal experiences. When we articulate our hopes, dreams, or prayers with conviction, we’re putting our faith to work. It’s like planting seeds with our words—what we say grows and becomes visible in our lives and the lives of those around us. It germinates and take root in the unseen spirit realm and manifests into the physical seen realm.

Embracing this perspective acknowledges the profound tool of our speech, which, when aligned with our faith, allows us to ‘release’ our beliefs into the environment, fostering growth and manifestation. This practice mirrors Jesus’ example, where words transcend mere communication, becoming active agents in shaping our reality to reflect our core values and aspirations. Moreover, being created in God’s image endows us with a unique capacity through our words. While we may not conjure galaxies or oceans, our words, infused with faith, hold the power to effect significant changes, demonstrating that our spoken expressions can indeed transform our circumstances in substantial ways.

The Apostle Paul imparts a profound teaching in the book of Romans regarding the requisites for rebirth in faith. He clarifies that an individual must harbor belief in their heart that God resurrected Jesus from the dead and must vocally acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Specifically, Romans 10:9 (NIV) articulates, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Paul further elaborates in verse 10, emphasizing the dual necessity of belief and proclamation: “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Hence, mere belief falls short; speaking out one’s faith is imperative for salvation. 

When we speak with belief, without a pinch of doubt, it’s like we’re given a superpower to shift things around us. Jesus told us if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we could tell a mountain to move and it would obey (Matthew 17:20). He wasn’t just talking about dirt and rocks; he was talking about those huge problems or challenges we face that seem as immovable as mountains.

Think about it. When you face a challenging situation and speak with genuine conviction that circumstances will shift, you are engaging in a profound principle. It’s not a matter of rejecting the actual state of affairs; rather, it’s about recognizing that your words, imbued with faith, activate a transformative force. By articulating your belief that change is possible, you’re not merely hoping for a different outcome; you’re actively participating in the creation of that change. This practice doesn’t ignore reality but instead acknowledges that through the power of faith-filled words, we have the capacity to influence our environment and alter our circumstances. It’s an affirmation of the principle that our faith, when expressed verbally, can shape and redefine our reality. We might not see the fruit of our words right away, but we’re setting things in motion for change and growth.

When we stand firm and declare something with true belief, we’re not just whispering into the wind. We’re engaging with a powerful principle that can reshape our reality. Jesus wasn’t just offering a nice thought when He spoke about moving mountains; He was revealing a deep truth about how faith, as small as a mustard seed, combined with our words, can tackle the biggest challenges in our lives. It’s about using our God-given ability to speak changes into existence, facing those ‘mountain-like’ problems with confidence and faith.

When we fill our words with faith, they become like keys that can open doors to things we once thought were impossible. They aren’t magic words, but they are strong statements that match up with what God wants and bring His power into our lives. Every time we speak believing fully in what we’re saying, it’s as if we’re adding to a painting of our life, shaping our future with bold and confident moves. So, let’s make the most of this amazing ability by speaking to the challenges and dreams we face, expecting them to change because our words have that kind of power when we back them up with faith.