Jesus Christ said in Mark 11:23-24(NLT), “23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” Even those who do not live their lives according to the teachings of Christ know this passage. The results of faith cannot be denied. When we believe unto receiving, we are never disappointed, because faith in Jesus Christ cannot fail. But we also know that there are believers that have been praying for a long time to receive a specific request, and they are wondering why it hasn’t yet manifested. Could it be that not knowing the difference between a want and a need is preventing them from walking in faith?
Sometimes, in our study of God’s Word, we forget to place the scripture in context. Context is the set the circumstances that tell us about the setting or surroundings so we can more fully understand what is being taught. When it comes to God’s Word, we don’t have to be English scholars to understand context, but we have a responsibility to search under the hood a bit so that we are able to understand more fully what our Lord and Savior is teaching us. We have a mission, and it is to learn God’s Word plainly so that we can speak His truth to others in love. God tells us in 2Timothy 2:15(NLT), “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” To meet with God’s approval, we’ve got to put some effort into our studying and reading His Word. We do it for the world and its educational institutions, and God’s Word is infinitely more profitable than any knowledge we glean from the world.
When we look under the hood a little bit more to derive context, we should ask ourselves the very simple questions of who, what, when, and why. In this passage of Mark 11, Jesus Christ is talking to his disciples. This answers the question of “who” or “to whom it is written”. So, the Word that Jesus delivered in this passage is for all believers. The specifics of the ‘what’ gives us the subject that our Lord and Master is covering. In this passage of Mark 11:23-24, he’s telling us about the believing that is required in order for faith to produce results. He tells us that IF we believe in God’s promise and have no doubt in our hearts, we will receive; this is the law of faith in operation. The ‘when’ that our Great Redeemer points to is when we pray. It’s the time when we go before the Father’s throne in prayer. Now the ‘why’ in the context of our Master’s teaching warrants a bit more discussion, because it is where many of us go off the rails.
Spiritually mature believers understand that we can’t treat Mark 11:23-24 as though it is an invitation to be self-indulgent, like a kid in a candy store. To see more of the context of what Jesus is teaching, as much as possible, we need to take ourselves back to the time when he walked upon the earth in the flesh. During this period, the earth was horribly corrupt, rampant with idolatry, and people’s hearts and minds were very wicked. Many of the poor, sick, and diseased were in deplorable conditions. He ministered miraculously and powerfully every waking moment. He healed and delivered people. He casted out demons and taught people about the Kingdom of God. He commissioned the disciples to do the same. In Matthew 10:8(NLT), he told them, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!”
Jesus Christ introduced light into utter darkness when he came to the earth. Matthew 4:23(NLT) tells us, “Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.” This is also part of the context that we need to know. It was not child’s play, but serious business he was doing. The people had no hope, and Jesus Christ gave them hope. He ministered to the disciples and taught them to carry forth the work he began because he knew his time on earth would not be long.
The disciples were in the Will of God, because they were doing the work that God has called every believer to do. They were helping others and teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is the groundwork for the “why”. If a person is operating outside the Will of God, they are not in faith, therefore, they are not able to believe properly. They might have lots of wants, but their greatest need is to get in line with God’s Will and Word so they can walk in the faith of Jesus Christ. This is the need God is most concerned with.
In Mark 11:23-24, Jesus Christ is assuring the disciples that while the work seems daunting, and they must pick up their crosses and follow him, they are never going to be alone. They will be terrifically supported by our Heavenly Father, so much so that they can ask anything in the name of Jesus Christ, believing in faith, and God will do whatever they ask. The key is that their believing is backed up by their good works, and this is the optimum condition for faith to do what faith does. Without the good works that are in line with the Father’s Will, faith is not supported. So, the ‘why’ of this verse is to let us know that we can pray for anything and God will bless us when we are in His Will. When we are obeying God’s Word, and walking in His purpose, everything will cooperate with us to get what God wants done. But when we’re out of alignment with His Will, we are buffeted by the enemy and our believing is out of synch with faith.
God tells us in 2Corinthians 3:5 that He is our Sufficiency. He takes care of our needs, and what we need most is Jesus Christ. We need to put on more of Christ with every passing moment. This is very important to our Heavenly Father. So, separating our wants from our needs requires us to prioritize what is most important to Heavenly Father. And what is most important to Him must be placed at the top of our lists. We must ask the Father what He requires of us. We must study His Word and be diligent to follow His instructions. He will take care of our needs, and when we get in alignment with His Will, our wants will be rewarded as well.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Separating Our Wants from Our Needs” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2021. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!