Why do we declare?
We believe that culture is created by words and actions.
From the beginning, the Father used words (spoke) to create. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
One of the main “methods” Jesus and the apostles used (in the gospels and Acts) to bring heaven to earth was to speak to things. You will notice that they did not ask God to heal people, cast out demons, calm the storms; but they spoke to bodies, demons, the wind, etc. Jesus encouraged us to speak to mountains in Mark 11:23, “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. 24 Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.”
Proverbs 18:21 teaches us that “life is in the power of the tongue.” Through declarations (intentionally speaking God’s truth aloud over ourselves, circumstances, people we love), God has given us a powerful / practical tool to renew our minds and help direct our lives with our words. Declarations have the power to increase our level of faith...“Faith comes by hearing,” (Romans 10:17).
We won’t have something just by saying something, but saying something is necessary to having something.
But Adam, I need to believe it, if I'm going to say it!
Actually, it can work the other way. Sometimes we need to say it before we believe it - that is faith as well. Hebrews 11:1 states Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Mark 9:23 is very interesting passage. It reads— Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Why is this interesting? Because he (the centurion) asks (rather speaks) "help my unbelief."
There are things I don't believe yet, but it doesn't stop me from hoping I will.
Sometimes, my heart and my core values need a little speech to remind them of who God is and who I am.
Grateful,
PA