FaithSample

We’ve all heard it—faith that moves mountains. Sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? Like something out of a spiritual superhero movie. But what did Jesus really mean by that? Was He encouraging us to rearrange the Rockies with our prayer life? Or is there something deeper going on?

Enter: a fig tree, a mountain, and one of the most misunderstood moments in the Gospels. In Mark 11, Jesus curses a fig tree and then heads straight for the temple where He flips some tables. Now, if this seems like an odd way to start a teaching on faith, stay with me.

The fig tree, you see, symbolized Israel’s spiritual barrenness. It looked good from a distance—leaves and all—but had no fruit. Jesus wasn’t throwing a horticultural tantrum; He was making a prophetic statement. He was calling out empty religion that had lost its heart for God. Then He points to a mountain and says, “If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea’…”

So, what’s the mountain? It’s not your car payment or the annoying guy at work. The mountain represents anything standing in the way of God’s kingdom. And the faith that moves it? It’s not wishful thinking or positive vibes. It’s kingdom-aligned, prayer-fueled, Christ-centered trust.

Jesus gives us the how-to:

1. Have faith in God — not in outcomes, feelings, or ourselves. It’s relational trust.
2. Don’t doubt in your heart — not your brain. Faith isn’t about perfect thoughts; it’s about a surrendered heart.
3. Pray according to God’s will — which often changes our will in the process.
4. Forgive — because bitterness clogs the spiritual plumbing. Faith flows best through clean hearts.

Enter the mustard seed in Matthew 13. It’s not about size, it’s about quality. The disciples weren’t lacking volume—they were lacking connection. Real faith doesn’t come from hyping ourselves up; it comes from staying close to Jesus.

So, here’s the big idea: You don’t need big faith. You need real faith—the kind that’s rooted in relationship, not results. Even tiny faith, when it’s anchored in God, can flatten mountains.

Let’s stop trying to bend faith to our own agendas. Instead, let’s align with God’s heart, pray with trust, forgive freely, and keep our eyes on Jesus—because that’s when the mountains move.