Written by Heather Zubiate
ne of the Word of Faith's core teachings is on the power of words.
But do words in and of themselves really contain power like these teachers claim?
Yes and no. Let me start by saying that words are indeed containers, but not necessarily containers of power on their own. Basically, the building blocks of written and spoken languages are letters, which make up words, and these words are given meanings and are used to form sentences, in short, they help us to communicate. Words, therefore, are really containers of information. The only time words contain any "power" is if they are written, or uttered by someone with authority like a judge, a police officer, or a military officer, or an expert. Even then, only within their legal jurisdictions, does their power have any effect on the rest of us. Nations also have jurisdictions, and authority over the people that reside within them, while their powers don't apply outside their borders.
Furthermore, parents' words have authority over their children, and many of us have used these words on our youngins, "Because I'm your mom, and I said so, that's why!", when they dare to challenge our authority. And finally, even words that are used by a gifted poet, song writer, or author, their word-smithery can engage our emotions, for good or bad, and are therefore highly influential, especially if the writers are experts or "authorities" on certain subjects. Even then, each individual really decides whose words they will or will not heed, to their hurt, or help. Now let us consider this - - Jesus has been given all power and authority by the Father, and so, here we have the Lord God Almighty as reigning in the ultimate seat of authority and power, so now I want to know what he has to say about the subject of authority.
The Almighty on Authority
One thing Jesus says about authority is that he gives authority to whom ever he chooses (Luke 4:6). And even then, he limits their authority to certain areas, and time frames (Acts 17:26). But the Word of Faith followers are heavily indoctrinated in the belief that they are their own authoritarian, which is true to a point, but not the point they make. They seek to wield Jesus' authority as their own. Let's not get carried away with delusions of grandeur. Again, we do have a great deal of say in how we conduct our selves based on what is "spoken" over us, but we still have to answer to the Almighty some day for how we have lived our lives. Well, how about the verses in Scripture that say if we ask for anything in Jesus' name, then he will do it for us? Is this a blank check of authority? No, far from it! But it may seem like one, and it could even become one, to the unskilled and untrained in righteousness. Let's take a closer look at what Jesus was really saying in order to make sure our egos aren't trying to cash forged checks.
One thing Jesus says about authority is that he gives authority to whom ever he chooses (Luke 4:6). And even then, he limits their authority to certain areas, and time frames (Acts 17:26). But the Word of Faith followers are heavily indoctrinated in the belief that they are their own authoritarian, which is true to a point, but not the point they make. They seek to wield Jesus' authority as their own. Let's not get carried away with delusions of grandeur. Again, we do have a great deal of say in how we conduct our selves based on what is "spoken" over us, but we still have to answer to the Almighty some day for how we have lived our lives. Well, how about the verses in Scripture that say if we ask for anything in Jesus' name, then he will do it for us? Is this a blank check of authority? No, far from it! But it may seem like one, and it could even become one, to the unskilled and untrained in righteousness. Let's take a closer look at what Jesus was really saying in order to make sure our egos aren't trying to cash forged checks.
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask [Me] anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:13-14
First of all, Jesus tells us that we are to "ask" him and not to command, or demand. I don't know about you, but as a parent, I don't take too kindly to my children demanding anything from me; they must politely ask me for what they want. There is a marked difference in attitude between asking and demanding, wouldn't you agree? Second of all, what we ask for has to be according to the name of Jesus, or according to his character, meaning we can't ask him for something like another person's spouse, or house; those things are classified under the sin of covetousness. Like so with my children, if they ask for anything that is dangerous, then the answer is going to be "NO!"
Then, if our petition glorifies the Father in the Son, which would mean the petition is in line with his will and character, then Jesus, and not our "faith", will give us what we asked for. Wow, this still sounds like a pretty good deal, right? So, if we ask Jesus to heal someone, then surely he will do it, because healing is definitely according to Jesus' will and character, right? This is true, but people forget that there are more facets to Jesus' character then being just a healer. He is also righteous, and he is the disciplinarian, or chastiser, of his sheep. Jesus is evermore concerned with our motives and spiritual welfare than with our physical needs and comforts. So if physical healing is asked for, but not received, then that doesn't mean you didn't have enough faith, it just means the answer was, "No." But why was the answer, "No?" That is a question that you must ask the Lord and expect him to answer, and he will, provided that you ask in humility, not in a sense that he is in a low position to answer to you.
Then, if our petition glorifies the Father in the Son, which would mean the petition is in line with his will and character, then Jesus, and not our "faith", will give us what we asked for. Wow, this still sounds like a pretty good deal, right? So, if we ask Jesus to heal someone, then surely he will do it, because healing is definitely according to Jesus' will and character, right? This is true, but people forget that there are more facets to Jesus' character then being just a healer. He is also righteous, and he is the disciplinarian, or chastiser, of his sheep. Jesus is evermore concerned with our motives and spiritual welfare than with our physical needs and comforts. So if physical healing is asked for, but not received, then that doesn't mean you didn't have enough faith, it just means the answer was, "No." But why was the answer, "No?" That is a question that you must ask the Lord and expect him to answer, and he will, provided that you ask in humility, not in a sense that he is in a low position to answer to you.
Chastening can be a touchy subject for some, but fortunately for us, the writer of Hebrews instructs us regarding the chastening of the Lord in chapter 12:5-9 and rightly references Prov. 3:11-12. Chastening means: to correct by punishment, or suffering; to prune of excess, pretense, or falsity; to cause to be more humble, or restrained. When humans are in the midst of any kind of physical, or emotional distress, we usually lift our faces toward the heavens and seek God for answers, help, or in repentance, or at least, that is what we should do.
That is the godly and goodly purpose of the suffered chastisement. God often employs his four sore judgments for this very reason - to bring his naughty children running back to him in repentance. God uses these physical chastisements rather then coming down from on high, and putting us across his lap for some well deserved lashes. This is also where the Word of Faith indoctrination goes awry. It is assumed that all sickness and disease is of the Devil, because it is a curse. This is not a good assumption. Like I said earlier, the Lord reserves the right to chastise his sheep as he sees fit, and if that includes some sort of ailment, then so be it. We, despite what the Word of Faith preachers say, cannot tell the Lord God Almighty what to do, or how to punish us, unless of course he gives us a choice of punishment like he did for King David. He is not at our beck and call, we are to be obedient to his commands.
As for motive in our asking, James says that we don't have something, because we don't ask for it, or we ask amiss, or not according to God's character and will. Basically, our will must submit to God's will, just as Jesus himself demonstrated this in the garden of Gethsemane. Do you really think that God's Son wanted to suffer and die in that horrific manner? Just listen to his prayer. Clearly Jesus' flesh was not as willing to do the Father's will, but his spirit was. Fortunately for us, Jesus forced his flesh to submit to the will of the Father. And so, if we ask for something that is against God's will, or we don't have the proper discernment of what is going on in a person's life when we ask for healing, then we will not get what we asked for, and this can lead to misunderstandings, resentments, idolatry, heresy, and even apostasy. All these things are things that Peter warns us about in his second letter, in chapter 3, with special emphasis on verse 16.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:13-18
Scripture & The Power of Words
One of the Word of Faith's favorite verses to justify their teaching of the power of words is Proverbs 18:20-21:
A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the
produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the
tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
These words came from King Solomon, a man of great authority and wisdom. Word of Faith teachers would have you believe that this verse is teaching that positive words will attract life, while negative words will attract death. This is yet another half truth. In this Scripture, no such distinction is made using positive and negative words, so the Word of faith teachers are inserting their vain human reasoning into this verse, by using expert slight of hand techniques. Verse 21 is actually a summation of the previous verses in the chapter that discuss the ways a foolish person uses words, and how a wise person limits his words. The foolish person [verbally] rages against all wise judgement [v.1], enters into contention [verbal arguing] and invites blows to his mouth [v.6]. A fool's mouth [where words come |
from] is his destruction, and a snare to his soul, or inner man [v.8/20 i.e. 'stomach']. However, a talebearer's words are tasty, or seem good, but these deceptively good words destroy the inner most body, or stomach [v.8]. And he who answers a man [with words] before he hears both sides of a story, it is a folly and shame to him. After all, what things are more heart breaking to a man's spirit, than being unjustly declared guilty before he has had his fair say [v.14]? This chapter also discusses the goodness of a wise man of few words. A wise man's heart [or stomach], and ear [not his mouth] seeks knowledge. The neighbor who comes to examine the one who seems right, does a good thing.
This proverb further states that a wise man knows the name of the Lord is a strong tower, rather than the wealth of a rich man. And so, Solomon sums up his wise observations with the truth that those who love talking [21b] will usually meet with death, while a prudent man of few words will most likely live. In many words there is sin, but he who restrains his lips is wise - Proverbs 10:19. That is what this chapter is talking about, not the New Age teaching of positive and negative words, a.k.a. The Law of Attraction. So what the Word of Faith minions have done is they have switched the biblical teaching of the amount of words coming from the kind of person (foolish or prudent), for their unbiblical teaching of the kind [positive or negative] of words that are spoken from anyone.
So, what about words, as related to 'positive' and 'negative' confession? Well this is easily manipulated and I will show you how. "I am positive that we are all going to die when this ship sinks." Or how about: "I can't seem to eat enough good things, if only my stomach could support my veggie craving." These statements are positively negative, or negatively positive. How is the universe going to handle these types of mixed confessions? What about the outright negative and positive confessions? I have known people who have 'confessed' that they were going to die young, but lived to the ripe ol' age of 80+. So did they mean they were going to die young compared to a sea turtle? Why wasn't this universal "law" applicable to this person? In what way were they exempt from the results of their 'negative' confession? Is this the proverbial exception that proves the rule? No. Then this must be the exception to the rule? No. This is a simple case of God overruling what we say, and this happens a lot. For an example of God hearing a "negative" confession and then over ruling it, please read all of Numbers chapter 14 and Isaiah 28:15,18. For examples of God over ruling a "positive" confession see: 2 Chronicles 18:5, and Jeremiah 14:15.
Negative Confessions Overruled by the LORD
Numbers 14 | Isaiah 28:15,18 |
Positive confessions overruled by the LORD
Therefore the king of Israel (wicked Ahab) gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand. 2 Chronicles 18:5
“Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not be in this land’—‘By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed! Jeremiah 14:15
So where does the Word of Faith camp get the idea that words (positive and negative) are containers of power, if it doesn't come from the word of God? They get it from the practice of witchcraft. According to practitioners of witchcraft, words are the most powerful when said the right way, using the right magical formula, and with the right pronunciation. Ancient magical texts are known as grimoire [grim-wah], which means grammar in Old French. And no one loves a good formula based on positive grammar, steps, keys, and ways, than false teachers and those who want their ears itched. Unfortunately for the confession police, I can't tell you how many people actually use "negative" words as a motivation tool to prove someone wrong. All you need to do is tell this type of person they can't do something, and they go on a mission to prove you wrong! And there are those who are so cantankerous that no matter how many encouraging words you use on them, they will not accept them. So does that mean they are immune to "negative," and "positive" confessions? Apparently, but more likely, this false teaching is only marketed and sold to those who want to buy it; to those who want to be little gods. This is just more proof that Word of Faith teachings are based in witchcraft.
So let us remember that words are first and foremost, containers of information, and they only have power when authority backs them up. And I don't mean usurped authority, the brand that the Word of Faith bunch use, but rather legitimate authority that Jesus hands out and oversees. This teaching is heresy at the least, leading to apostasy at the worst. In another post, I will look at the nature of authority in order to get even more understanding regarding the power of words.