When I wrote about the error of using Proverbs 18:21 to claim that our words have power to bring health or death, a man sent me a list of Scriptures claiming that the Bible taught that our words save, heal, and forgive.(1)
What a serious blasphemy!
We are not saved by words.
We are saved by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus (Romans 5:9).
We do not receive salvation by words.
We receive it by faith (Romans 1:17).
We are not healed by words.
We are healed by the power and purpose of Jesus (James 5:15).
We are not forgiven by words.
We are forgiven by the mercy of God (Psalm 103:10-12), and when we forgive another person, they are forgiven by our mercy, not our words (Ephesians 4:32).
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." 1 Corinthians 4:20
Words can reflect a person's beliefs (Matthew 15:18) or disguise them (Matthew 15:8).
The only words that always accomplish their purpose are God's words (Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 55:11).
Our words matter, but they have no magic power.
Beware of this popular blasphemy often called name it and claim it or word of faith.
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(1) See The Power and Limit of Words.
See also: A Proverbial Mistake
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*** AMEN ***
ReplyDeleteGracias por recordarnos y por tenerlo en cuenta pues hoy día,muchos quieren al igual que nuestro adversario torcer las escrituras.
ReplyDeleteGail, This is a good word. :-) I was also thinking that if we were saved by our words, besides all the theological problems with that, that the mute man would be forever damned. Doesn't sound much like a loving, all-powerful God to me.
ReplyDeleteWords matter. We confess with our mouth Jesus Christ is Lord. James says there is power to bless and to curse. Proverbs 18 says there is power of life and death in our tongue. Ephesians 6, the sword of the spirit which is the word of God means we have to speak GODS WORD when praying, and during warfare. Matthew 7 Jesus said ASK seek knock. Believers better use the word. Not our words but HIS WORD, the word of God. Name it claim it, no. But there are promises in Gods word that we can confess by faith until we see its fruition and let’s not forget, Call those things that are not as though they were. You needs words for all of it. Everything I wrote is in Gods word. Some just misinterpret and twist for their own gain and they will answer to God but we most definitely have to speak, pray, ask, war, with the word of God.
ReplyDeleteHi Connery,
DeleteYou're right that our words matter. But there is no magical power in them.
Many people have made a confession of faith in Jesus but they have never actually had faith in Jesus. Their words are meaningless. We must confess our faith, but it is faith that saves us, not words.
Proverbs 18 is a very misused verse. It means that lies, slander, true and false testimony can cause a person's death. It does NOT mean our words have power of life and death beyond that. Nor do they have that power unless God allows it.
If we claim that our words have the power of life and death beyond our testimony for or against another person, then we are calling God a liar because God says:
"See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand." Deut.32:39.
That and every other Scripture you've included in your comment is taken out of context. I encourage you to read the links in this devotion which supply more information.
But, you will have to do it with an open mind. I've found that this false teaching often takes people captive so they can no longer see what Scripture actually teaches. And even when they realize that their words don't have the power they claim they have, they refuse to give up this false teaching.
I pray you will see the truth in this area.
Amen Gail!! Such truth!!
DeleteAlso James 1:21 it is the implanted WORD of God that is able to save your souls.
ReplyDeleteThat is God's Word, not yours or mine. Our words cannot save anyone, not even ourselves. Please be careful not to compare your words with God's Word. That is blasphemy, my friend.
DeleteAmen!!!
DeleteGail,
ReplyDeleteI read your devo’s everyday. They are fantastic. Your exegesis of scripture is so encouraging. Thank you. I need these solid insightful teachings from scripture. Context is so critical for our growth. So thank you so much
Thanks so much, Rodney. God knew I needed this encouragement today! God bless you.
Delete1. It’s About God’s Word, Not Our Wishes
ReplyDeleteDeclarations rooted in Scripture are powerful because God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), not because of a formula.
We do not declare random desires; we speak God’s promises, which are already aligned with His will (1 John 5:14).
Ephesians 6:17: “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Here, the sword is not our words—it’s God’s Word.
2. It’s Faith in God, Not Faith in Faith
Jesus taught faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20), but He never taught faith in faith itself.
Our faith must rest in God’s character and power, not in a method or formula.
3. God is Sovereign, We Are Servants
Biblical declarations do not demand God to do our bidding—they partner with God’s revealed will.
Even Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
4. Words Have Power, But Not Magic
Proverbs 18:21 teaches the power of life and death in the tongue—but this is about influence, not incantations.
Speaking God’s Word in faith aligns us with truth, and resists the devil (James 4:7).
5. Spiritual Warfare Needs Right Weapons
In spiritual warfare, our weapons are spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:4):
The Word of God
Prayer
Righteousness
Faith
The Gospel
Salvation
Truth
Declarations of God’s Word wield the sword effectively—but self-centered declarations wield a toy sword.
6. The Authority is in Jesus’ Name
Our authority comes from Jesus’ finished work, not from ourselves.
Luke 10:19: “I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy.”
— This authority is delegated, not inherent.
What It’s Not:
Not a blank cheque to declare anything you want into existence.
Not a way to twist God’s arm for material blessings.
Not about controlling God, but cooperating with Him.
What It Is:
Declaring God’s Word with faith activates our agreement with heaven.
It invites God’s truth to transform us, strengthen us, and resist the enemy.
It’s spiritual warfare done in humility and dependence on God’s power.
Bottom Line Defense:
Our declarations have power when they echo God’s Word in faith, not when they’re self-willed.
We stand on Scripture, faith, and Christ’s authority, not on empty formulas or positive thinking alone.
Victory comes through relationship with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit—not mechanical declarations.
You've shared lots of words, dear Pharmacy refunds. But it sounds like, in the end, you are saying that God wants everyone healed, so if we agree with God we'll be healed. And if we don't agree with God, we won't be healed.
DeleteIf I'm wrong about what you're saying, I apologize, but that's what it sounds like.
Paul praises Timothy, placing great confidence in Timothy’s faith and qualifications as a spiritual leader. But in 1 Timothy 5:23 Paul says to Timothy, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”
Why didn't Paul a prophet and Apostle who wrote Scripture by divine inspiration not know about this formula you explain. Why didn't he tell Timothy to agree with God about his healing?
In Galatians 4:13-15, Paul speaks of being sick when he preached to the Galatians. In Philippians 2:25-30, Paul talks about Epaphroditus, a faithful servant of God being so sick that he almost died, and Paul does not refer to his lack of faith or his problem with sin. He simply explains Epaphroditus was healed by God’s mercy. Again, in 2 Timothy 4:20 Paul explains that he left a faithful Christian worker and companion sick in the city of Miletus. In none of these passages does Paul associate sickness to speaking words of agreement with God.
God can and does heal people, but He does so according to His will, not according to ours. Because God is infinite and we’re finite, we’re not capable of fully understanding everything about healing (1 Corinthians 13:12), so we need to quit creating formulas and claiming promises that don’t apply.
Study Christ's earthly mission and you'll find he sometimes associated healing with faith, sometimes with sin, and sometimes he healed people who didn't ask him to heal them, people who didn't know who He was, and people who didn't even thank him for their healing. We cannot put God in a box. Some of the most powerful messages of faith come from people who love God even though they've begged Him to heal them and He has chosen not to do so. For example, Joni Eareckson Tada.