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I have agonized and struggled in prayer over whether to publish this post. I have been thinking about it for several months and kept pushing it aside. But I continue to hear, on television and radio, read on the Internet, statements and comments by well known and prominent pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles, and others, that we can speak things into existence, that we can have whatever we ask for in prayer, that if we say it God is obligated to do it.
The fact is that there is really no biblical backing for any of these things and has been gnawing at me for months. Many of my friends, believe that we can “call those things which be not as though they were”. I used to believe it too. Experience over the years, as well as careful study of the bible, has caused me to realize that we can’t. What we are told is that it will happen if you believe and if it doesn't happen you don't really believe. Really? Over the years I have spoken things from scripture, taken out of context I have to admit, and believed, really believed, that what I spoke would happen and most times they didn’t happen the way I spoke it and often didn't happen at all. I came to realize that the problem wasn’t my lack of faith and belief it was that what I wanted is not what God wanted for me and I was trying to make my preference and words God's promise and will for me.
This post is for those people like me who have been told or heard that our words have power and all we have to do is speak them in faith and God’s words backs you up. Then when it doesn't happen what do you do? Do you question your faith or God? This post is for you.
Just Speak It?
Romans 4:17 (NKJV) (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV) So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23 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. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
These are just three of the scriptures that we hear all of the time that, taken out of context, would appear that we, humans, can speak things into existence or that by simply speaking we can have what we say, given of course that we have enough faith. If true then what we say, if we add that Jesus and or God said it, will come to pass.
If that was the case it would be wonderful but it isn't. We as God’s created creatures do not have the power through our words or otherwise to create anything or cause anything that does not now exist to exist. The faith, that we need enough of, is faith in God Almighty not faith in the words that we speak even if those words are from the bible especially when they are taken out of the context in which there were written or spoken.
It’s one thing to pray, believe, and trust God for miracles. It is another thing to think that what we say has the power to produce miracles. God's Word has that power, but our words are not the same as God's Word. And we are not the same as God. Not by a long shot.
Here’s what it says in Lamentations;
Lamentations 3:37-38 (HCSB) 37 Who is there who speaks and it happens, unless the Lord has ordained ⌊it⌋? 38 Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?
The fact is that there is really no biblical backing for any of these things and has been gnawing at me for months. Many of my friends, believe that we can “call those things which be not as though they were”. I used to believe it too. Experience over the years, as well as careful study of the bible, has caused me to realize that we can’t. What we are told is that it will happen if you believe and if it doesn't happen you don't really believe. Really? Over the years I have spoken things from scripture, taken out of context I have to admit, and believed, really believed, that what I spoke would happen and most times they didn’t happen the way I spoke it and often didn't happen at all. I came to realize that the problem wasn’t my lack of faith and belief it was that what I wanted is not what God wanted for me and I was trying to make my preference and words God's promise and will for me.
This post is for those people like me who have been told or heard that our words have power and all we have to do is speak them in faith and God’s words backs you up. Then when it doesn't happen what do you do? Do you question your faith or God? This post is for you.
Just Speak It?
Romans 4:17 (NKJV) (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV) So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23 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. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
These are just three of the scriptures that we hear all of the time that, taken out of context, would appear that we, humans, can speak things into existence or that by simply speaking we can have what we say, given of course that we have enough faith. If true then what we say, if we add that Jesus and or God said it, will come to pass.
If that was the case it would be wonderful but it isn't. We as God’s created creatures do not have the power through our words or otherwise to create anything or cause anything that does not now exist to exist. The faith, that we need enough of, is faith in God Almighty not faith in the words that we speak even if those words are from the bible especially when they are taken out of the context in which there were written or spoken.
It’s one thing to pray, believe, and trust God for miracles. It is another thing to think that what we say has the power to produce miracles. God's Word has that power, but our words are not the same as God's Word. And we are not the same as God. Not by a long shot.
Here’s what it says in Lamentations;
Lamentations 3:37-38 (HCSB) 37 Who is there who speaks and it happens, unless the Lord has ordained ⌊it⌋? 38 Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?
A Closer Look
Let’s take a look at the scriptures that I quoted at the beginning of the post used by those who say our words can create or cause things to happen just because we speak them.
Romans 4:17 (NKJV) (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
It is crystal clear, to me at least, that Paul said that it is God who calls those things which do not exist as though they did;. He is not writing that the Christians in Rome or anywhere else can call things into existence.
Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV) 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23 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. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
This scripture does not show that we have the power to change reality according to what we say. It shows that God has the power to change reality according to his will. Jesus is not to teaching us to have faith in ourselves, or in our words, but to have faith in God. His promise is not that we will receive whatever you speak but, but, that we will receive “whatever you ask for in prayer.” We know from the rest of Scripture that this is not a blanket promise that God will answer every prayer by giving us what we want but is, instead, a promise that God will answer our prayer in accordance with his will. This does not suggest that our words have spower to make miracles happen or grant us material things. It is clear from the in context of the statement that the emphasis is on belief, not “speaking” it into existence.
1 John 5:14 (HCSB) Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
What if God decides not to respond it the way that you would like him to? Is it because of your faith? Remember when Paul asked God three times to remove the thorn in the flesh? I’m pretty sure that Paul had lots of faith. What happened? God didn’t remove the thorn but said that His grace was sufficient. So it was God’s will that won out not Paul’s prayer or his words.
We also have an example of Jesus Himself making a request to His Father which in His sovereignty did not honor;
Matthew 26:39 (NKJV) He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
Matthew 26:42 (NKJV) Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."
Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
This is not God instructing us how to get what we want. . This is God instructing us how to want what we get.
From Barnes Notes on Psalms 37:4;
(a) the fact that you seek your happiness in him will regulate your desires, so that you will be "disposed" to ask only those things which it will be proper for him to grant; and
(b) the fact that you do find your happiness in him will be a reason why he will grant your desires.
The fact that a child loves his father, and finds his happiness in doing his will, will do much to regulate his own "wishes" or "desires," and will at the same time be a reason why the father will be disposed to comply with his requests.
If we truly delight in the Lord, will we really desire anything selfish? No if we delight ourselves in the Lord.then that means we are becoming more like him. His desires become our desires, not the opposite.
Let’s take a look at the scriptures that I quoted at the beginning of the post used by those who say our words can create or cause things to happen just because we speak them.
Romans 4:17 (NKJV) (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
It is crystal clear, to me at least, that Paul said that it is God who calls those things which do not exist as though they did;. He is not writing that the Christians in Rome or anywhere else can call things into existence.
Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV) 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23 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. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
This scripture does not show that we have the power to change reality according to what we say. It shows that God has the power to change reality according to his will. Jesus is not to teaching us to have faith in ourselves, or in our words, but to have faith in God. His promise is not that we will receive whatever you speak but, but, that we will receive “whatever you ask for in prayer.” We know from the rest of Scripture that this is not a blanket promise that God will answer every prayer by giving us what we want but is, instead, a promise that God will answer our prayer in accordance with his will. This does not suggest that our words have spower to make miracles happen or grant us material things. It is clear from the in context of the statement that the emphasis is on belief, not “speaking” it into existence.
1 John 5:14 (HCSB) Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
What if God decides not to respond it the way that you would like him to? Is it because of your faith? Remember when Paul asked God three times to remove the thorn in the flesh? I’m pretty sure that Paul had lots of faith. What happened? God didn’t remove the thorn but said that His grace was sufficient. So it was God’s will that won out not Paul’s prayer or his words.
We also have an example of Jesus Himself making a request to His Father which in His sovereignty did not honor;
Matthew 26:39 (NKJV) He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
Matthew 26:42 (NKJV) Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."
Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
This is not God instructing us how to get what we want. . This is God instructing us how to want what we get.
From Barnes Notes on Psalms 37:4;
(a) the fact that you seek your happiness in him will regulate your desires, so that you will be "disposed" to ask only those things which it will be proper for him to grant; and
(b) the fact that you do find your happiness in him will be a reason why he will grant your desires.
The fact that a child loves his father, and finds his happiness in doing his will, will do much to regulate his own "wishes" or "desires," and will at the same time be a reason why the father will be disposed to comply with his requests.
If we truly delight in the Lord, will we really desire anything selfish? No if we delight ourselves in the Lord.then that means we are becoming more like him. His desires become our desires, not the opposite.
A Closing Thought
No, we can’t speak things into existence or call thing that are not as though they were. In fact scripture warns us about talking about what may or may not happen in the future.
James 4:13-16 (NKJV) 13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Let me close with I quote that I read from a blog post
I want to close by saying there is nothing wrong with positive speaking, BUT please don't think that in saying you will get a BMW that God has to give you a BMW. Doctrines like these only serve to create a materialist world view among Christians that can only lead to destruction. We, myself included, have to examine ourselves to make sure we are after his heart and not after his hands. God will bless us materially, but if it's your main priority, please turn back to God.
So, if you are a professing Christian who needs material possessions as a sign that God is real or that you are blessed, I beg you to check out Hebrews 11. Here's verse 1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things NOT seen." *side note: The "faith" here is referring to our faith in God's promise of salvation through Christ Jesus* Don't be like Thomas who needed to TOUCH the holes in the hands of our Savior to believe that he had resurrected (John 20:24-29). "Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have believed." (v 29). Instead rely on the word of God, which is our Father's self revelatory work, proclaiming both his existence and his plan to reconcile his people to himself.
It is through speaking the words that God spoke in the context that He spoke them, as we pray and make our requests made known to Him; our willingness to submit to His will no matter what; our faith in Him not our words and then;
Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
It is God’s words and not ours that calls those things that don’t exist as though they do!
No, we can’t speak things into existence or call thing that are not as though they were. In fact scripture warns us about talking about what may or may not happen in the future.
James 4:13-16 (NKJV) 13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Let me close with I quote that I read from a blog post
I want to close by saying there is nothing wrong with positive speaking, BUT please don't think that in saying you will get a BMW that God has to give you a BMW. Doctrines like these only serve to create a materialist world view among Christians that can only lead to destruction. We, myself included, have to examine ourselves to make sure we are after his heart and not after his hands. God will bless us materially, but if it's your main priority, please turn back to God.
So, if you are a professing Christian who needs material possessions as a sign that God is real or that you are blessed, I beg you to check out Hebrews 11. Here's verse 1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things NOT seen." *side note: The "faith" here is referring to our faith in God's promise of salvation through Christ Jesus* Don't be like Thomas who needed to TOUCH the holes in the hands of our Savior to believe that he had resurrected (John 20:24-29). "Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have believed." (v 29). Instead rely on the word of God, which is our Father's self revelatory work, proclaiming both his existence and his plan to reconcile his people to himself.
It is through speaking the words that God spoke in the context that He spoke them, as we pray and make our requests made known to Him; our willingness to submit to His will no matter what; our faith in Him not our words and then;
Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
It is God’s words and not ours that calls those things that don’t exist as though they do!
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