One of the most popular questions that most believers have asked is whether it is biblical to make declarations or decrees? Some believers argue that declarations are unscriptural, while others support declarations vehemently. This issue has caused a lot of division with the issue of prayer in the body of Christ. In this article, you will learn if believers should be declaring over things or is it biblically wrong? Keep reading to find out more about this important subject in the body of Christ.
What it means to decree during prayer
To declare is to make a statement aloud, while decree is to make a command using your authority in Christ. Right from the old testament, the Israelites are known to make bold declarations about the goodness of God. At several points in battles, they carried the ark of God and made declarations, which eventually translated to their victories (Joshua 1 – 24).
From scripture, the Hebrew word for declare is Amar, which means to say, to speak, or to utter. So, the concept of declaration is not a recent trend in the body of Christ. Instead, it is an aged-long practice for victory. As a new testament believer in Christ, decreeing and declaring usually stem from a certain mindset. It stems from the belief that since we are equal with God, it means we can call things forth the way He did during the creation. (Genesis 1).
Is it Biblical to decree and declare?
The bible is the best reference book for every believer; hence proper consultation must be carried out on the subject matter. In our saviour’s teachings, He spoke about how believers can receive anything from God in the kingdom. This mystery is the key to knowing whether it is biblical to decree and declare.
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith (Mark.11.23).
From the scripture above, Jesus is saying that whatever you say or declare, you will have regardless of the situation. In fact, the original words used in the scripture are whatever you declare unto this mountain. So, Jesus is actually saying that believers can make declarations concerning anything,
Why Should Believers decree and declare?
As earlier explained, decreeing and declaring is an age-long tradition recorded in several passage of scripture. However, here are some of the top reasons why you should declare and decree as a believer in Christ;
To Claim your Victory:
It is important to note that every believer has been given the victory in Christ Jesus. They do not need to go head to head with Satan anymore. This is because Christ has won the battle in the spiritual realms. However, we need to translate that victory into the physical world; for example, you need to translate the victory from sickness in the spiritual realm into your sick body. Therefore, to receive the divine healing, we need to take it by force by making a bold declaration of our present stand in Jesus Christ. (Matthew 11:12). So, to claim your victory, you need to exercise the authority bequeathed to you in Christ.
For Establishment:
It is important to note that establishment in the kingdom is not a function of money or success. In the book, the bible says, “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee” (Job 22:28). Establishment in scriptural perspective means it shall be made permanent. This means that when you decree or declare words, it shall become a rule, law, or command as you have spoken it.
It is the believer’s authority:
The bible says that “We are gods” (Psalm 82:6). Since the believer have been proclaimed as God, part of his nature is to make decrees and declarations. Every “god” has authority, and you are not an exception. As established previously, a decree usually has legal authority. Therefore. as gods, your words have that authority.
Dominating over the earth:
It is important to note that the earth is meant to be dominated by the sons of God. The authority given to believers is to dominate and rule in the presence of their enemy. This is because it is written in the scripture that God has given the earth to the sons of men (Psalm 115:16). So, believers have been put in charge as Kings on earth; it is now our job to dominate by making decrees as Kings when needed.
Believers hold The power of life and death in their tongue:
The word of God says that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). This means when we make declarations; they are bound to come to pass. So, our words could give life or cause death. As believers, when we speak, it’s to bring forth life.
Believers have the life of God:
This is another reason why we should not sit idle waiting for a change in unfavourable situations. Rather, we are to cause the needed changes. Having the life of God means that we have the very ability that God has, which makes him God. As carriers of the God-life, we can take control of events and command the outcomes that we desire. We are not stranded. The moment we are believers in Jesus, we become carriers of the God-life. Hence, we are to make good use of life.
In conclusion, making decrees in prayer is as biblical as possible. Also, they are an extension of our regular prayer. Decreeing over situations shows that you know your authority in Christ and are using it. We make decrees for the above-provided reasons when there are unfavorable circumstances. We don’t wait for life to favor us naturally; rather, we take from life, and we do this in the place of prayer.
