There is a theme I hear among followers of Christ. It's more of a belief system that I'm struggling with. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this...well...after I give mine. :)
Okay, I often hear conversations that might go something like this:
"I really would like to find a new house, but I'm not sure it's going to happen. Oh, I shouldn't say that! No, I believe we we'll find a house and I receive it. I don't want to speak against it out loud."
There are a host of other ways I've heard this. When people mention that they would hate it if one of their kids got hurt, but if they say that out loud they believe their words might actually cause it to happen.
And there's the opposite. I've heard many people speak out loud the good things they want from a situation hoping that what they say will influence their reality.
I find this a bit unsettling. As believers we are to speak truth as well as speak well of people, things, and situations. We are also taught to guard our tongue, watch our tone, be careful of our speech, but I am yet to find in the context of the entire Word of God a teaching that substantiates the idea that our words, good or bad, can influence the outcome of our future.
We simply do not hold that kind of power. If we did, then we could take it as far as to say we can create our future.
If someone says, "Man, I hope one my kids doesn't get hurt," and in return someone else says, "Oh, don't say that because you don't want to speak bad things into your life," they are, in essence, telling them that they have the ability to speak forth what they want or don't want even if what they don't want is spoken forth on accident.
This, my friend, is impossible.
I do not have the power to create. Only God does. Can I pray that my children will be protected? Yes. Can I pray that God would provide all that I need and even some of what I want? Yes. Can I read the Word of God, see the promises and claim them in my own life? Yes.
Can I speak these things into existence, or out of existence with my own words? No.
According to the Word of God, controlling our tongue is a mark of wisdom (see James 3). A mark of foolishness then would be an out of control, sinful, and damaging tongue. We are admonished to tame our tongues, control our speech, but not admonished to control our future.
I can believe lots of things and can claim them as the will of God and therefore "speak" it, but unless I have some sort of Biblical foundation for that I believe we should not be so quick to take the reigns of power and assume we control as much.
Romans 4:17 says that God is the one who "gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were." We, however, are only granted power of God in and through His Holy Spirit, but we do not hold the power of God to alter what we want or don't want. We do have the honor to take all things before Him who holds the power and pray in His will, but ultimately, He holds the power.
Honestly, I'm glad I don't have such a futuristic influence. I want to share in God's power for the things on earth, but I don't want to think that I can influence things on my word. This, however, does not mean that I get to say whatever I want without repercussions. That's why the Bible teaches that the tongue holds the power to life and death (Proverbs 18:21). What I speak, to people, can bring heartache or hope, pain or pleasure, weakness or strength, ugliness or uplifting.
We must read the Word in it's entire context, watch for the consistency of teaching and then lay claim to what is true and real. In this topic, I believe our tongue can hold the power of life and death in it's affect on others and ourselves, but not the power to create or destroy our future.
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What say you?
6/16/09
What Power Do We Have?
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20 BlogHeads commenting:
I think the way we speak positions us for what we are able to receive. So it's not, "I claim a new car" and *poof* there it appears. But I think saying, "I'll never be able to get a new car" puts us in a mindset of failure, and so we don't even attempt to make our lives better. So it's the attitude behind the words that sets us up for success or failure.
However, where things like sickness are concerned, I think we give ourselves WAY too much credit by thinking that we can speak that kind of stuff into (or out of) our lives.
However, however, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." So in those situations (sickness, etc.) I believe there is definite power (even if it's simply to increase our faith) in proclaiming God's Biblical promises regarding those situations.
Ok. Stepping off my soapbox. Thanks for this thought-provoking post. :)
Great post. Difficult topic.
I think there are a lot of feel-good philosophies (I can't call them theologies) out there right now, promoting the idea that if you say and think only good thoughts that only good things will happen.
It's similar to saying that God will never give you more than you can handle - but more extreme. It's pretty much (in my opinion) like saying that God will only give you what you ask for.
And my Bible doesn't promise that.
However, I do agree with Brandy that our mindset does affect our lives - and having a positive attitude is always better than assuming nothing good will ever happen.
Like I said - difficult topic!
...hmm... on the other hand, there is power in speaking. Knowing the names of things has often been used in the occult to wield power over the other (a bit like Jesus asking the demon's name: "We are Legion...").
On the other hand: Far too much emphasis is placed on our almost magical power with words to "call forth" things. That's God's job.
On the other hand, we have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, so we should be operating in more power than we do, and often in Scripture it was words followed by action that healed people.
...on the other hand, there were periods and places where Jesus couldn't perform many miracles because of the people's unbelief...
[bleh]
All that to say: I think you're right, but I know I'm still not living fully a life that is like Christ's.
~Luke
I do believe in speaking blessings over our children--not that our blessings hold supernatural powers, but that they can greatly shape the development, choices and destiny of our children, i.e. think of Isaac's blessing over Jacob instead of Esau. Unfortunately, the power of "cursing" our children with negative prophcies/predictions can also hold true. But I think this philosophy is compatible with life and death being in the power of the tongue rather than the name it and claim it philosophies.
One of the things I struggle with is self talk. I talk negatively about myself, to myself, a lot. I let it have power over me.
Remember a few months ago you asked about body image? We know what Christ says about our bodies, yet we feel differently about it a lot of the time. That's the power of self talk.
I whole heartedly agree w/ the statement that we can't creat or destroy w/ the spoken word. But I've seen & experienced the self spoken word do a lot of damage.
Hot topic of the day!!!
I agree with what you are saying. But if I'm reading it right...when something is said (like your children not getting hurt), some people (worldly thinking) see that as a "ginks" type of thing and I've worked with some poeple that really believed in that mystistical, black cat, don't walk under the ladder, leave the house the same way you came in..type of stuff.
I also believe that we, as Christians, do have powers that we never tap into. What if we stopped doubting God and allowed Him to work through us...faith of a mustard seed...our words can be powerful, as long (and here's the kicker) we are in His will only! When we pray, we pray His Word, we acted based on His Word...not ours.
Love it Deborah. Acting in His will...our words can be so powerful!
Brandy and Mary I totally agree. What comes out of my mouth goes into my mind, so I need to make sure it's positive and of the Word!
Luke, I'm so there with you concerning the power of the Spirit not being fully lived in my own life. Great points.
Cactus Flower, yep!
Mandy C. You betcha! Self talk that is not of God is damaging and can lead us down yucky roads!
Preach it Deborah! That's what I'm saying, this idea that we can "ginks" a situation just because we said something negative.
Whoowee, this if fun!
Nice post. The Bible warns against going in for superstitious "old wives tales" which I think the jinks type thinking falls into.
We're told to be concerned about the words we speak because like Natalie said, they hold the power of life and death. But, people are frequently tempted to get into the "knock on wood" type superstitious attitude which isn't based on faith but fear. And "perfect love drives out all fear."
Well said Summer.
Oh, that's how you spell "jinks" well, whaddya know. :)
It is called the Word of Faith Movement also know as the Health, Wealth and Prosparty(sp) gospal. (think TBN) We have to be careful not to follow these false teachers. There is power only in the Word of God and our words can do nothing to change that. Before we speak we need to take every thought captive and turn that thought to Christ.
I watch what I say not because of any power that I have, but because we are in a spirtual war.
In Daniel 10 - Daniel prayed outloud and an answer was sent to him, however, a Prince held up his answer in a spirtual conflict.
I watch what I say because in this spirtual war, I do not want to give the enemy a foothold, a proding, any encouragement or an inspiration.
Words are powerful - they can build up, tear down, speak to the King - why would I think that the enemy couldnt hear them or use them to his advantage too?
Jenn, I hear ya. However, when I'm talking to Jesus I could give a rats booty about what the enemy hears.
But, my fears, my hangups, sometimes I just pray those quietly because I understand what your sayin'. He's tripped me up more times than I like. Boo him.
I have often been conflicted on this line of thought myself. I do know it can be taken to an extreme "Name it claim it" kind of mentality.
But what about the scripture that tells us life and death are in the power of the tongue? Has anyone ever studied it out?
I believe we can ask for God to bless us, our families and our children, we can even speak positively or negatively about situations, family, etc.
I think there probably should be some more study on it - it seems we've seen both extremes and no balance in between.
Just my two cents.
Not sure if it's even worth that! :)
Mary
Words (whether written or spoken) do have a lot of power (as in life or death to our spirit), thus, when we say something, especially if we say it often, it does have a self-fulfilling prophecy sort of power because we come to believe them. That is why a person should carefully examine words with The Word before hanging it in the closet and then wearing it. To a certain extent, that can create or destroy someone's future because of the choices we make from the words.
My position on this has evolved over the past few years in my walk with Jesus by journeying thru life's circumstances, reading and "digesting" the Word, and now lately reading a little book called "the 4:8 Principle." In it the writer expounds on the rather simplistic truth that as believer's we are to first concentrate on making sure that our thoughts are held captive by our heavenly Father's intentions for us. "finally brothers, whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, & good report..think on these things. It is when we just follow this recipe that no matter what crosses our paths, good, bad or indifferent, we find we are already equipped through Him that loves us so, to walk through it. Being "covered", "transformed by the renewing of our minds", "thoroughly furnished", is our legacy as sons and daughters of the King. Being JOY-FILLED is meant to be our natural state as we just take what is ours because of Him who went before us in every way and loves us so. All these other thoughts that pull us aside from practicing His presence through faith only render us faithless as we listen to the wrong people. Our ineffectiveness is Satan's greatest satisfaction where we are concerned. Veering away from the simplicity of God's Truth is the challenge. Trying to make sense of everything that comes our way is human, but trusting our Creator is the key to being able to watch God orchestrate our lives for our ultimate good.
Ooo, I like what Sherri said. :)
Bonnie, I agree with thinking on what is true and noble. Makes all the diff.
Since you twittered me, I decided to check out today's post. :-)
Faith matters, not words. However, out of the heart, the mouth speaks. Your words are a reflection of what dwells deep within your heart. When you are in a crisis or tiny trial (i.e., headache), what words do you speak? Evaluate them - it could give you insight into your faith in God or lack there of.
Love you!
sheri
Wow. I think Sherri says it best! Amen, amen!
Amen, sister.
A freakin' men. Wait, can I say that?
Prolly not. My bad.
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