Christians Can Speak Things Into Existence?

          A blatantly unbiblical idea present among people involved in the Word of Faith Movement is that Christians can use the "force" of faith to speak things into existence. In other words, faith is seen as the mechanism by which our words make personal wishes of health and prosperity come true. Nonetheless, this johnny-come-lately model of faith and prayer is utterly incompatible with everything that Scripture says regarding the sovereignty of God and the nature of His promises. This movement tends to portray faith as a personal power or force that we can wield to manipulate our circumstances and fulfill our desires, often reducing prayer to a formulaic process of declarations and affirmations. This perspective shifts the focus away from God’s will and sovereign plans, placing undue emphasis on human desires and material success.

          The creation account of Genesis brings into light the grand majesty of our Creator. He spoke the entirety of the universe into existence ex nihilo. The fabric of life is sustained by His magnificent power. That provides an ideal description of deity. Thus, attributing the ability of creating things by command to human beings amounts to idolatry because that would also make us gods. Faith itself would become the object of worship. God Himself would essentially be dethroned of His unique position of honor and supremacy. We share traits such as emotion, intellect, and reason, but we are not partakers of His divine essence. The very act of speaking the world into existence is a divine attribute that underscores God’s omnipotence, and to claim this power for ourselves is to misunderstand the fundamental nature of faith and the human relationship with the divine.

          Even the Egyptian magicians who were summoned by the Pharaoh to imitate the miracles performed by Moses recognized limits to their abilities (Exodus 8:18-19). The notion of people being capable of speaking things into existence is impossible because such a superpower transcends our physical limitations. If a person has been influenced by this dangerous deception, then he would do well to read Isaiah chapters forty through forty-eight. That context goes on at length to tell us that there is literally nothing like God in terms of His power. These chapters emphasize God's unmatched power and sovereignty, describing Him as the only true God who can declare the end from the beginning and accomplish all His purposes. They serve as a reminder of the profound difference between the Creator and His creation.

          Despite the major biblical problems with this teaching, some proponents have desperately tried finding biblical support for their reasoning. A classic example of eisegesis would be Romans 4:17, which says, "...the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not." But the Apostle Paul in this text is speaking of God, not man. It is He who works in us. Faith involves us trusting and depending on God. The purpose of us praying is to conform ourselves to His will (1 John 5:14). It is indeed a terrible misfortune to see so-called ministers such as Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, and Kenneth Copeland promote such aberrational theology. These leaders often reinterpret and misapply Scripture to support their doctrines, which ultimately leads their followers away from a genuine understanding of faith as trust in God and submission to His sovereign will.

          Moreover, the Word of Faith Movement’s emphasis on material wealth and physical health as evidence of faith undermines the true essence of Christian discipleship. The Bible is replete with examples of faithful individuals who endured suffering, poverty, and persecution, yet their faith remained unwavering. Jesus Christ Himself lived a life of humility and sacrifice, teaching that true riches are found in spiritual blessings and a relationship with God (Matthew 6:19-21). The Apostle Paul endured numerous hardships and yet found contentment in Christ alone (Philippians 4:11-13). This prosperity-centered theology can lead believers to a shallow understanding of faith, where the absence of material success or health is mistakenly seen as a lack of faith or divine favor. It distorts the gospel message, turning it into a transaction rather than a transformative relationship with God.