Releasing Power
In today’s post, I want to discuss the number one way we impact the unseen realm of the spirit (“heavenly places”). The answer may surprise you: it is with our words. Whether releasing our faith, the power and/or life of Holy Spirit, or even warring against satan’s kingdom, the number one way we influence the spiritual realm is with our words.
Why? Think about it. Breath and spirit are the same words, biblically. When our spirits leave us in death, it is actually referred to as taking our last breath. The name of the Holy Spirit could be translated as Holy Breath. I’m not trying to be mystical, but I believe the simple explanation for the power of words is that our mouths are the outlets of our spirits. Jesus literally breathed His life/spirit into His disciples (John 20:22). On another occasion He said His words were spirit and life (John 6:63).
Amazing, isn’t it? Believe, speak, born again (Romans 10:9)! Believe, speak, mountains of adversity gone (Mark 11:23)! Yes, the words must be consistent with His Word and will, but when we speak them they are infused with God’s power and life.
How forcible are right words! (Job 6:25 KJV).
James, in chapter 3 of his letter, notes that with words we bless and curse. He goes on to compare the power of words to a forest fire, a fountain of life, a world of iniquity, and deadly poison. Strong words about the power of words!
Job’s word for “forcible,” morat means “to press.” One of its biblical uses describes a king pressing his seal of authority onto a decree or legal document with his signet ring, making it legally binding (the law of the land). Words seal deals and decree laws. They are powerful, even unto life and death (see Proverbs 18:20-21). The New Testament says we are justified or condemned by them (see Matthew 12:37).
Wars are started with words.
Love is communicated through words.
Instruction and education are shared by words.
Deception and confusion are propagated with words.
Kingdoms are built with words.
People are controlled by words.
Lives are shattered and healed through words.
Worlds are created by words - the earth was...and so is our personal world.
Words may very well be the greatest conduit of authority and power in the world. God’s Let there be . . . created the world and everything in it.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 says, “The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies” (KJV). Nails help us build, construct, assemble, and hold things together. So do words. The Master Craftsman used them to build the earth, the seas, the mountains, and all the other amazing elements and dimensions of creation. Hebrews 1:3 tells us He holds it all together by the power of His words and decrees!
Luke’s gospel says that even the incarnation - God becoming human - was caused by a combination of God’s words and Spirit. When Mary asked how she, a virgin, could have a child, the angel informed her that the power of Holy Spirit would overshadow her and impregnate her with Jesus (1:35). Then he said, “Nothing will be impossible with God,” (1:37).
This translation doesn’t do justice to the strength of what the angel actually said. The most literal and accurate rendering is: “No word spoken by God is without power.” What a statement this is, and what ramifications it carries for us. Our all-powerful God infuses transcendent power into His words. They become the carriers of His awesome strength.
In the Scriptures, God issues many decrees or declarations. Zodhiates says, “The Ten Commandments are actually ten declarations.”1 They are not the Ten Suggestions. When God issues a command or decree, it is earth’s law. To violate one is rebellion against His authority and invites negative consequences.
God also calls His Word a sword with which He rules and judges. His declarations not only create and build, they also judge and destroy; they’re both constructive and destructive. Consider the following: “Out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:16); “Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war...with the sword of My mouth” (2:16; see also 19:15, 21).
Some of God’s decrees are to create or perform something in the present; others are declarations about the future. In Isaiah 46:9-10, God says of Himself,
“I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”
What an amazing God! He stands outside of time and looks ahead, declares the future, and eventually time catches up to His decree. How preposterous the fools who think they will outwit or overpower Him!
I want us to see what happens when time catches up to a decree God makes concerning the future. What does He do at that point? He involves us in its fulfillment. We become the voice of God in the earth, decreeing His decrees for Him! Job 22: 28 says, “You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.” The first part could be more literally rendered “You will decree a decree.” We discern God’s will and/or His decree - what He has determined about a given situation - and we decree His decree.
The verse then says that when we decree His decree, it will be “established.” This is the Hebrew word quwm, which means “to rise.”2 God’s Word is called a seed (1 Peter 1:23), and when we sow it into a situation, we are sprinkling the seeds through which He causes His will to spring up. Quwm also describes a variety of other activities, including God’s “creative, saving and judging action” rising up.3 Our decreeing the Lord’s Word releases His creativity, His salvation, and yes, His judgments!
I once stood and watched as a minister commanded a young boy’s crooked legs to be healed. His lame legs were supported by metal and leather braces. As the minister prayed, the air was filled with the sound of joints popping, muscles and tendons formed, and bones became new. The young man, who had never run before, took off his braces and ran around the church. We watched with amazement and awe, as the whole church celebrated with this young man over his creative miracle...which was released through words!
I also watched another miraculous healing take place as this same man ministered to a lady who had stomach cancer. He spoke to the cancer, cursing it in Jesus’ name. The woman began to vomit up the cancer and was completely healed...again, through the releasing of Spirit-led words!
I know these stories sound like fiction, but in the 1960’s, it was not strange to see miracles like these take place in meetings across America. Thousands were healed supernaturally.
These two miracles were substantiated by doctors. I know because the minister was my dad.
Pray with me:
Father, we release the power of Your words into America. (If you live elsewhere, do this for your nation.) We declare that the earth is the Lord’s - Yours - and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1). All of it belongs to You. You are the King of all the earth (Psalm 47:7). All authority on earth belongs to You (Matthew 28:18-19). Yours is the kingdom and power and glory forever (Matthew 6:10).
We declare Your authority is now being released over the government of America. You are dismantling the arrogant systems and political forces that have exalted themselves against You. All who have opposed You, along with the strongholds they have built, will be pulled down. And all unrighteous laws they have written will be reversed in the coming season of revival and reformation. Their evil ways and activities will be exposed. Your angels are on the move now to expose and dismantle.
We pray and decree these things in the exalted name of Jesus. Amen.
Our decree:
We decree Your words over America and say, kingdom of God, come - will of God, be done in this land!
Portions of today’s post were taken from my book Authority in Prayer.
Click below to watch prayer.
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Spiros Zodhiates, Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, New American Standard Bible, 1719.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 6965
R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Workbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody, 1980), p 793.