The Secret in the Mustard Seed, Part 1

I believe words matter. So, let’s begin by talking about the damning nature of the word self-esteem.

The word self-esteem comes from an old French word that means ‘to determine the value of, to appraise’. You can’t appraise something unless you compare it to something else. For example, when you go to sell your car, you look at something like Blue Book to determine its current value and then make an estimation on what your vehicle is worth. Certain aspects make a car more valuable or less valuable than others. Same thing when you sell a home. You have it appraised and compared to similar properties on the market in your area. This esteem, or estimation-mindset may work for inanimate objects, but it should never be used for humans.

Self-esteem is the natural-man approach to seeking identity. As we apply certain aspects that are valued or praised by a culture, it sets us up for comparisons and judgements that leave us placing ourselves lower or higher on the scale of self-value depending on who we’re with or how we’re feeling at any given moment. Self-esteem sets us up for failure to never feel good enough. It keeps us focused on external things, judging, assessing, fighting with self and others to feel important. It also sets us up to judge other inaccurately as well.

I believe God meant for us to pursue a different path, the path of worth, or self-worth. The word “worth” has two etymological meanings depending on whether you use it as a verb or an adjective, and both apply to Gospel principles. As an adjective worth means ‘to turn, or bend’, which has a similar meaning to the Hebrew word for repent, which means ‘to turn back’. It implies a process of change, shifting or transformation.

The word worth used as a verb means ‘to become’. So, seeking self-worth is a process of becoming, and we become by constantly turning back to God–shifting, changing, and transforming into something more like him with each turn. Because you can’t measure someone’s potential, there is no place for comparison in the process of becoming. It really is quite beautiful to understand. And this is the way God meant it to be. He wants you to see your worth–your ability to become, grow and transform. I believe this is why humans are obsessed with transformation. Whether through TV shows, books, courses, etc. we all have this innate drive to become better.

If we look at the etymology of the words Identity and Divine, we find that the word Identity comes from a medieval Latin word meaning ‘sameness’ or ‘the same’ and the word divine means ‘pertaining to the nature of, or proceeding from God’. So, according to the origin of these words, we get the definition for divine identity as ‘being of the same nature, or proceeding from God’. We are his seed, his likeness, and therefore hold the same potential.

This is the journey of personal development that we are here on earth to pursue—the path of becoming like God. But you can’t become like something you don’t acknowledge you are the seed of. If you don’t think, feel and believe in your divine identity—if you don’t think, feel and believe it is your birthright and opportunity to become like him, you probably won’t pursue it and you may continue to loop through the “crazy-eight” of self-esteem and self-talk that separates from God rather than unifies with God.

While studying one day, I discovered a nuance in Jesus’ teaching about the mustard seed that I believe teaches about identity. The apostles had just tried to cast out a devil unsuccessfully and asked why they couldn’t do it. In Matthew 17:20-21 Jesus says:

“. . .Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this moutain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.“

In every gospel discussion I have ever sat in on the word “as” in this scripture is always used as a comparison, which leaves many readers focusing on the amount of their faith. But as I was studying and pondering on this verse, the word as caught my eye. I looked it up in Strong’s Greek Bible concordance. In Greek the word ‘as’ is defined as “probably comparative”. If it’s only probably used as a comparison, what else could it be used as?

Well, the concordance says is can also mean “in that manner”, “after”, “according”. So, the scripture could read “if you have faith in the manner of, or according to, a mustard seed. . .nothing shall be impossible to you.”

What kind of faith does a mustard see have?

A mustard seed knows exactly what it is to become. It understands its identity and the potential it is meant to fulfill. It doesn’t question or doubt, it just does what it’s meant to do–become.

But you and I, we doubt and we question our worth, identity, worthiness, etc.. We are filled with unbelief and therefore our divine identity goes largely unfulfilled and our faith remains largely dormant.

The verse that follows where Jesus says, “howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Is also, I believe, teaching about identity. He’s basically saying here—you don’t know who you are, but if you did, you could do all things. You also don’t know who this is (the evil spirit)– you haven’t identified it– but if you had, you would know that you must fast and pray to be successful at casting it out.

In other words, if you know who you are, you will be instructed and able to accomplish all things. Isn’t that amazing?!

Identity and powerful faith (the kind that moves mountains) are directly tied to one another. And I think that is one of the most powerful concepts we can understand. And I think that’s why identity is the number one thing Satan attacks. If we are confused about who we are, how can we become the best version of ourselves possible?

We see a lot of people wrestling with identity now days. There is so much confusion, expectation and trauma, not to mention the bombardment of the 24-hour media cycle. These things leave people feeling lost about who they really are.

We can begin to re-connect with the self and the Divine by defining who we are in ways that elevate and bring peace to our lives rather than encouraging an environment of chaos, drama, and battling for acceptance. But it begins within, it begins by making a choice to believe. And it takes practice and time. But the rewards are well worth the effort.

We’ll talk more about another aspect of what the mustard see teaches when my next block of articles releases after the holidays.

Heart Habit™ Practice:

Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and place one hand on your heart and one on your lower belly.

Breathe in deeply, feeling your body supported. With each inhale, imagine you are being filled with light; with each exhale, release tension and false labels you’ve been carrying.

Whisper quietly: “My worth is not earned—it is inherent.”

Repeat this phrase with each breath cycle three times, letting it sink deeper into your body as truth.

Imagine a golden thread that connects your heart to God. As you breathe, envision this thread growing brighter. Feel the reminder: Your identity is not diminished by mistakes, achievements, or the opinions of others. It is rooted in divine love.

End with gratitude for your breath, your being, and the spark of divinity that dwells within you.

Place both hands over your heart and affirm: “I return to love. I return to who I truly am.”

The content of this podcast is intended for personal reflection and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for qualified professional medical, psychological, or spiritual advice. By engaging with the content in this podcast, through any source—in person or online—you are agreeing to the terms and conditions in our liability and release waivers. The links are posted in the show notes and on our website. All views expressed — including interpretations of scripture or spiritual practice — reflect the host’s personal experience and are not affiliated with any specific church or institution. Please take what resonates with your journey, and leave the rest with care.