Prosperity preaching.
Sounds good.
Sounds promising.
Sounds life changing.
Sounds easy.
Sounds powerful.
Sounds….
That’s just it. It sounds. Then it fades like the tinkling of a symbol or the clanging of a bell, because that’s all it really is. Just noise. Noise that clutters our minds. Clanking that claws at our souls as we start to crave it. Rattling that rubs our faith thin.
I wonder if we fall for this kind of feel good preaching because maybe, just maybe, we don’t know our Bibles the way we should. (here I hang my head in shame) It just seems so much easier to just take the word of a person on a stage or of anyone who seems to know what they are talking about.
The Bereans of Acts 17 were described as having a hunger for truth. They received the message Paul taught them, then they did a vital thing. They examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)
They were teachable and receptive to what was being taught, however, they wanted to see the truth in ink and weigh the principles and meanings for themselves.
We seem to lose that hunger from time to time. We’d rather be spoon fed on easily digestible food so that we don’t have to take the time and energy to search for the truth ourselves.
Thanks microwave, TV dinners and instant milk. We’ll blame it on you for grooming us to this age.
There’s a trend in Christians claiming words have power. And they do. They have the power to build up or tear down. They have the power to encourage or destroy a heart.
Some even say that words will not return to us void, but will accomplish what we desire. That somehow what we say can and will happen.
That last part made me cock my head, pierce my lips, squint my eyes, furrow my brow and go, “hmmmm” all at the same time, and I knew I better start looking for answers. It’s called the Holy Spirit. Listen to Him.
I found the verse in Isaiah 55:11. When reading the verse all by itself, yes, it really does sound like we can speak what we want and expect it to be so.
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Sounds great! I can have what I want! Attach a few more snippets of verses and contexts like “does not doubt in his heart but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him” (Mark 11:23) or “when he asks, he must believe and not doubt” (James 1:6) and Boom! We have a God who gives us what we want, how we want, when we want, whenever we have a mind to say it.
But what ever happened to “Thy will be done”? Is that now obsolete, because we get to decide what we want? Furthermore, how are we pray if what we say is what we get? My will be done?
I have no doubt that God still performs miracles today. I have no doubt that we can destroy and bring harm with words, or that we can encourage and build up with words.
But coming to the conclusion that we can have what we want just by saying it…. is that really what God meant? Be it healing, wealth or any other desire.
Let’s look at Isaiah 55:11 in context. I invite you to grab your Bible and look at it yourself.
The Lord starts speaking in verse 8,
“ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst forth in song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This is for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” ”
Then the Lord stops speaking. (verse 13)
When read in context, the italicized verse is clearly not intended for us to claim for ourselves.
This verse is about God’s word going out, giving life, doing what it is intended to do, accomplishing what it needs to accomplish and succeeding in the Lord’s plan. It is God’s word that does not return void.
Just as the rain brings life to the earth, so is God’s word – life changing, life altering, life giving,life breathing power.
[bctt tweet=”God’s word – life changing, life altering, life giving, life breathing power.”]
Not mine. And not thine.
Only His. His being the Lord, YHWH, Yahweh, God.
His word can send me out in joy. His word can bring me peace. His word can make nature rejoice in front of me.
So wild is the power, the promise and the capability of God’s word.
Shame on us for wanting to twist it into something we, the creation, can obtain.
Sharing with…A Proverbs 31 Wife, Strangers & Pilgrims Grace & Truth, Front Porch Inspired, A Little R&R, Faith Along the Way
Such a great reminder. He is the potter and we are the clay. I pray everyday that my thoughts would be the ones He wants me to think. Great post!
Exactly! God is about his glory. It is about him, not us. His will, not ours. I’m so glad too, because he knows what he’s doing. I don’t.
Great reminder that we cannot bend God’s Word to suit us, we must bend our will to His.
Beautiful thought eloquently penned! May it be a lesson we all take to heart. When I read the Beatitudes in Matthew, the Lord is blessing things that (today) we would not consider blessings … but in His word we find truth, and the truth is, what we consider to be a “blessing” may actually turn to our sorrow, and what we may consider to be our “sorrow” the Lord can turn into joy. May the Lord bless you today 🙂
This is a powerful post. You are so right. I’ve always tried to be so careful not to fall prey to “prosperity gospel” teachings but sometimes it’s hard. Thank you for writing truth!
Yes, my friend, you nailed it. We sin when we claim things for our own that were only meant to be God’s to claim. Any time our words have that kind of power, it is only because God willed it and made it happen. Not because we claimed it down!! Great post!
Yes, Yes and Yes!
SO true… And since I can’t see the whole picture like God does. This is where trust comes in. He can. This is where faith comes in, we need to trust Him to answer our prayers according to His holy will. Thanks for sharing this on the Art of Home-Making Mondays Kaylene. Always food for thought here!
P.S. I think people want a fairy God-mother who grants wishes instead of a God who grants salvation to those who believe in him and SHOW their faith by their works (as the book of James writes).
This is a great reminder and challenge… thank you.
The Voice of Truth will always have power. 🙂
Thanks for this beautiful reminder. We often forget when things get too loud.
Beautiful words of wisdom, Kaylene! Thank you for the reminder that like our Savior Jesus, our hearts and words should always be that of, “Not my will, but yours”.
Blessings to you and yours.
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