Can we speak things into existence?

God Alone Has the Power to Create by His Word

Can we speak things into existence? We're going to answer that question. You can also discover more on GotQuestions .org. Speaking things into existence is solely within God's power and exclusively His right.

When God created the world, He simply spoke and light appeared. The sky was formed. Dry land emerged. Vegetation sprang up. The sun, moon, and stars appeared. Fish and birds materialized. And animal life appeared.

God's act of creation shows His unique and mighty power in a way that can never be duplicated. God is the only one who can speak things into existence. It is not something we as human beings have the power to do.

Why the Plagues and Pharaoh Do Not Prove Human Creative Power

When God brought the plagues upon Egypt, the pagan magicians were able to mimic the results of the first two miracles. But when Moses turned the dust of the ground into gnats, the magi of Egypt were stumped.

They cannot animate inanimate things. This is the finger of God, they told Pharaoh. There are people who believe it is possible for mankind to speak things into existence. Some of them base their claims on a misinterpretation of certain scripture passages.

Mark 11:24 in Context

When we only look at one verse of one short section of scripture without considering that passage in its proper context, we can make those kinds of mistakes. One verse people often cite when trying to prove that man can speak things into existence is Mark 11 .24 I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

First, these words of Jesus do not in any way communicate the idea of creation, bringing something into existence that did not exist previously. In the previous verse, Jesus gives the example of moving a mountain, but he does not mention the idea of speaking a new mountain into existence.

Second, Mark 11 .24 must be taken in context with the rest of scripture. If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. We are told to submit to God's will in our prayers. We are never given the power to speak things into existence.

Elsewhere, Jesus taught, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. When we seek God first and align our thoughts and desires with his thoughts and desires, then we are showing true faith. The purpose of prayer is not to speak things into existence, but to conform our will to God's.

Romans 4:17 and the Limits of Human Speech

Another passage often used as proof text that we can speak things into existence is Romans 4 .17, which speaks of the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. Many prosperity teachers latch onto the phrase, calls into being things that were not, and try to use it as biblical evidence that we can do the same thing.

They misread the passage, however. Paul is clearly talking about God, not man, calling things into existence. Speaking things into existence is God's domain. Finally, another passage in scripture plainly shows mankind's inability to speak things into existence.

No One Can Speak Without the Lord's Decree

Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? The answer is, of course, no one. None of us have the power to speak and bring things to pass through the sheer force of our word. Only God has that power.

His decrees will stand. When he speaks, it's as good as done. That answers the question, can we speak things into existence? On our website, gotquestions .org, you'll find a deeper discussion and recommended resources.

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