Chalcedon Blog

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:23-24

Of all the Scriptures surrounding the subject of faith, these passages have challenged, puzzled, and inspired Christians for centuries. For some, the idea of moving mountains with faith is beyond belief. For others -- as in the modern faith movement -- these passages are central to their entire belief system, and have left the impression that the Bible, along with faith, is a way to get whatever you want out of life. You simply need only to believe, and you can write your own ticket with God.

Yet, we cannot avoid an obvious meaning to these verses. Though our Lord is using exaggerated speech -- i.e. He does not intend for us relocate a physical mountain -- He does so to encourage an uncommon faith among His followers. Even though you may not ever need to move a mountain, there are circumstances, events, and challenges that will befall you that appear equally insurmountable. It will be in such instances that we'll need what many faith teachers refer to as "the God kind of faith."

What is Faith?

Before we speak concerning the mystery of faith in Mark 11, it is essential to define what the Bible means when it speaks of faith; and in our discussion, the faith we're referring to is not the saving faith in salvation, but the faith we are to exercise throughout our Christian life. We might view it as our means of exchange with God.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1

The word substance (Gk. Hupostasis) used here is translated as confidence or assurance. The word for evidence (Gk. Elegmos) carries the meaning of proof. When taken together this simple verse reveals the foundation of faith in the Christian life -- it is a firm belief in the otherwise unbelievable promises of God; a kind of faith that testifies that we are operating spiritually in an otherwise "materially" appearing world.

As the Scriptures say elsewhere, "hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why doth he yet hope for?" (Rom. 8:24) Faith and hope are evidence of things not seen. We cannot exercise faith or hope in something we already possess or can see -- this does not require faith. Faith is expressed when we are hoping for something from God which we cannot produce ourselves, or that which we cannot now see. Again, faith is our means of exchange, i.e. our commerce.

Faith to Move Mountains

Still, we have the problem of our Lord's illustration in Mark 11:23-24 of moving mountains. These passages created an entire movement (Word of Faith) that still thrives today within the Charismatic church. Millions of Christians have used Mark 11:23-24 as a means to obtaining whatever one desires from God. All that is needed is a "true faith" and all that you can imagine will be yours. When coupled with the prosperity gospel -- the doctrine that God wants us to be rich -- faith teaching has justified a materialistic pursuit of comforts and personal well being that exceed our Lord's meaning in Mark 11, and other like passages concerning faith.

However, what could possibly be the purpose of moving a mountain? Doesn't that appear to be a carnal, materialistic example of faith? If our Lord says we could randomly move a mountain, He must be implying we can have a Mercedes and a mansion, right? If we examine the context of Mark 11, we actually discover a different meaning.

[11] And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. [12] And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: [13] And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. [14] And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. [15] And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; [16] And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. [17] And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. [18] And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. [19] And when even was come, he went out of the city. [20] And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. [21] And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. [22] And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. [23] For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. [24] Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. [25] And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:11-25

The context regarding faith stems from the entering of Jerusalem and our Lord's cursing of the fig tree. It is helpful, in accurately interpreting these passages, to note first that the Gospel writers were very selective in what they wrote concerning the life and teachings of Christ. In the Gospel of John, for example, the apostle writes:

And there are also many other thing which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. John 21:25

If the world could not contain the books written about the life, teaching, and ministry of Jesus Christ, then what the Gospel writers DID include in their accounts is pertinent and meaningful, i.e. they did not waste space with irrelevant descriptions. I say this because in verse 12 of chapter 11 Mark writes, "He was hungry, And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet."

Mark is not giving us information that is irrelevant to the overall point regarding faith. In fact, the encounter with the fig tree is central to our Lord's lesson regarding faith. In other words, Mark is not giving us unimportant information like: "Jesus was hungry, Peter had to use the bathroom, and John had a rash." This is not filler material. It is pertinent to the teaching.

Jesus was hungry. He desired something of the fig tree, found no figs, and cursed it for its lack of fruit. The meaning should start to appear at this point. He was about to go back into Jerusalem and visit the temple. When He does, He finds the money changers set up in the house of prayer and calls them a "den of thieves."

Israel is that fig tree, and she was fruitless. Mark was careful to note that the fig tree our Lord cursed had no fruit "for the time of figs was not yet" (v. 13). Was Christ being unjust to the fig tree, then? Not when the fig tree represents Israel, because God expected her to always bear fruit. During the time of her visitation by her messiah, she had nothing to offer him. By the next day, the fig tree had withered:

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. Mark 11:20-21

The cursing of the fig tree dried it up from the roots. The meaning here, as it relates to Israel, is that she was about to be cursed because her corruption went down to her roots -- her immorality was found in the temple itself (the roots), and it could go no further. Her time of judgment had come.

Our Lord uses this instance to teach His disciples concerning faith. It should be obvious that He is not referring to a faith that can be abused for personal greed or gain, but a faith that in this instance is used for judgment. The "mountain" He refers to is the mountain He and His disciples just descended -- the mountain upon which the temple stood.

This is why He completes His teaching by making reference to forgiveness when His disciples would pray:

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:26

This relation of prayers of judgment and the moving of mountains is found frequently in the Book of Revelation. For example, after the cries of the martyrs came from under the altar after the opening of the fifth seal a succession of judgments culminate as "the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places" (Rev. 6:14)

This obviously parallels the illustration of the fig tree and mountain used by Mark in his gospel. Staying with the Book of Revelation we continue to see prayer and judgment moving mountains:

And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand... And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea... Rev. 8:4, 8

Despite the example of imprecations being used, there is no getting around the clear meaning that the cursing of the fig tree and the moving of mountain were an encouragement for faith. Even though Christ was using that faith to curse a rebellious Israel, that same faith can be used for something personally beneficial. Although, even personal "benefits" serve only the greater cause of the Kingdom.

However, there is still a clear line of limitation that prohibits selfishness in the prayer of faith, i.e. laying hands on a Cadillac! But, if we look carefully at the text, we see that Scriptures have a "built in" protection against greed and unbiblical praying or believing.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

You cannot have mountain-moving faith and an uncharitable motive at the same time. You cannot have mountain-moving faith along with a heart filled with carnal desires -- you are nothing, and you will receive nothing:

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. James 4:3

Doubt is sure to enter in when your motives are questionable:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

These verses, as in Mark 11, can be easily misconstrued when the context is not considered:

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: Because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. James 1:9-10

Faith, as James describes it, operates according to the state of our hearts. The poor man cannot be excluded from faith because of his perceptions of being destitute. By having feelings that "you don't deserve anything" you are expressing doubt in the promises of God that are not given based upon social status, race, gender, or anything else. Equally, the wealthy, or seemingly blessed, must be "brought low" to understand that their existence is granted by God, their life is fleeting, and all that will ever have must be obtained by the same quality of faith utilized by the impoverished man.

Doubt enters in when the motive is sinful. You cannot believe for something God has not ordained for you. The disciples could not simply use faith to curse anyone or anything they wanted. When they prayed prayers of judgment they must be willing to forgive. In other words, as in Christ's encounter with Israel, the situation must be clear and beyond repair; then, and only then, is this judgmental form of prayer necessary.

So, if you cannot pray in faith without forgiveness (Mark 11:25); and you cannot pray in faith without love (1 Cor. 13:2); then you cannot have mountain-moving faith accompanied by greed, lust, covetousness, or any other ungodly motive. Not only will you not receive anything due to your sinful desire being mixed with faith, but you will never really have faith to begin with since the goal itself would not be God-ordained.

You will find it difficult to have genuine faith for something God has declared is unlawful for you. As we've learned, the Word of God is living and active, and it penetrates the very depths of our hearts to divide soul and spirit and is a "discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). The Greek word for discerner is "kritikos" -- where we get our word "critical"-- and it means a skillful judging. The Word of God judges, or critiques, in all our prayers, the motives, thoughts, and intents of our hearts. Imagine it's like being inspected as you go through customs or into an airport. Our prayers are judged by the Word and the Spirit, and if our intents are carnal, or ungodly, they are not permitted to pass into God's throne. This keeps the elaborate promises of God safe from the selfish motives of carnal man.

But great faith is still being encouraged, and we can be persuaded of great things, akin to us as a mountain being moved, if we will be sure that when we pray, "believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24). Whatever God has promised can be believed when pursued with the proper motive and sustained with consistent faith. The doubter, as James said, should not "think that he shall receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:7).

Although it is important for us to learn to have faith for our own "mountains," our Lord encouraged His disciples to use their faith for the larger purpose of advancing the Kingdom. As in the first century, apostate Israel had become an obstruction because of her sin and rebellion, and the ministry of Christ and the disciples became one of ardent prayer and faith to tear down strongholds and execute the judgment written:

Let the godly ones exult in glory; Let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance on the nations And punishment on the peoples, To bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written; this is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise the LORD! Psalm 149:5-9