As we continue learning how to be effective in spiritual warfare, this week we focus on the words of faith. Faith is not silent; it finds expression through what we say and do. Scripture tells us that “by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). What we see in the natural is not the whole of reality. God’s Word established what was first unseen, and faith enables us to respond to that reality. Therefore we must be intentional about our words, ensuring that they always align with God’s Word rather than with circumstances that contradict it.
We see this principle in Jesus’ encounter with the fig tree in Mark 11. We read that “seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves” (vs.12-13). Jesus approached the tree expecting fruit because it had the appearance of fruitfulness; but there was no fruit. Likewise, as God’s children, we are called to bear fruit and reflect Christ’s nature through our lives. When people encounter us, they should encounter His love, kindness, patience, and character. When Jesus found no fruit on the tree, He responded to it, saying, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again” (vs.14). He then walked away without waiting for visible evidence that anything had changed. This is the realm of faith – speaking according to God’s Word and trusting that His Word is at work, even before the evidence appears. We must not be deceived into accepting situations simply because they appear normal or common in the natural realm. Instead, we must speak in agreement with God’s Word and trust Him for the manifestation.
The next morning, Peter noticed that the fig tree had dried up from the roots, and remembering what the Lord had spoken, said, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away” (vs.20-21). Matthew’s account tells us that the tree withered immediately when Jesus spoke (Matthew 21:19), so although the effect of Jesus’ words was immediate, the disciples only saw the evidence later. This reminds us that words can cause a shift in the spiritual realm before we see it in the natural. We must therefore watch our words carefully, because “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Our words can build or destroy; therefore let us refuse to speak carelessly. Instead, let us speak with faith, aligning our words with what God has spoken, because His Word will never return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11) – it always brings results.
Jesus then taught His disciples the principle behind what they had witnessed, saying, “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” (vs.22-23). Jesus did not instruct them to keep talking about the mountain; He taught them to speak to it. Too often, we magnify our problems by repeatedly discussing, rather than bringing them under the authority of God’s Word. Saints, faith speaks directly to what opposes God’s purpose and brings it into alignment with His Word. So instead of magnifying the mountain, let us speak to it about how great God is, who is faithful to perform His Word (Jeremiah 1:12). However, our words cannot be separated from what is happening in our hearts, “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). What fills our hearts will eventually find expression through our mouths. This is why renewing our mind is so important, replacing thoughts of fear, doubt, and unbelief with the truth of God’s Word. As the Apostle Paul writes, “we believe and therefore speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13).
Faith also finds expression through prayer. Jesus continued, saying, “whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24). Faith receives God’s provision before we see its manifestation in the natural, because “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Daniel provides a powerful example of this. The angel told him, “from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words“ (Daniel 10:12). Daniel’s prayer was heard from the beginning, even though the answer took time to manifest; the delay did not mean God had not heard him. Daniel’s experience teaches us that when we pray in faith and according to God’s will, we must be willing to wait without abandoning what He has spoken. We may not see the evidence immediately, but we can trust that God’s Word is working. Hallelujah!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us faith and for giving us Your Word to stand on. Teach us to walk by faith and not by sight, to trust You beyond what we can see, and live from the reality of Your Word. May our words always align with Your promises, even when we cannot yet see the physical manifestation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
