Can We Really Speak Things Into Existence?

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Expositor & Teacher. The Apostle Paul wrote to his young protege Timothy saying, “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). As disciples of Jesus, what we learn from the Scriptures, we must pass on this truth. Well, it should come as no surprise that Satan, tries to cause things to seem less clear and less easy to understand (muddy the waters) with unsound teaching that undermines the authority of the Scripture and the Sovereignty of God. One troublesome teaching that has permeated the church is the Word of Faith doctrine. Word of Faith theology sets man to be a little god and gives such authority where a person can shape their reality by the very words they speak. For example, “I spoke that into existence” or “Name it and claim it.” This teaching is so popular that it appeals to believers as well as unbelievers, which is a red flag itself! Can we create our realities with our words? Can we speak certain things into existence, such as health, wealth, or anything else we imagine? Well, the answer is simple; no, we cannot! This teaching does not depend on the Sovereign God of the Universe but metaphysical laws that control all things. Metaphysics is man's view of reality and existence, who we are, and what our purpose is. Deism is man's belief in the existence of a creator who does not intervene in the universe. In short, metaphysics is deism on steroids! In the Word of Faith view, God put metaphysical laws in place, sits back, and watches as the world turns. So, man, to see things happen, must tap into these metaphysical laws to see things happen. The key verse Word of Faith teachers run to is “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). Yet, if we read the proverb before, we can see what wisdom the Scripture is pointing us to. “From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips” (Proverbs 18:20). Our words matter, and we should use them wisely, but nowhere does the Scripture teach we are creating our realities with our words. The Scripture makes clear the distinctions between the finite and the infinite. See, God is God, and we are not. He has created and has that authority. Rest in following Scripture’s commands, praying, and seeking to use our words to glorify God and edify others. That’s the sound, wholesome, and healthy teaching from the Bible. Be encouraged!