Understanding the Biblical Perspective on Decreeing and Declaring
In contemporary Christian circles, the phrases "decree and declare" have become popular in prayer. People might say:
"I decree in the name of Jesus that healing will come to my body.
I declare that my finances will increase tenfold in the next year."
But what does it mean to decree and declare, and does this practice have a foundation in the Bible? Let's delve into this practice and see if it aligns with scriptural guidance.
What Does "Decree and Declare" Mean?
A decree is an official order issued by someone with legal authority. For a decree to hold any weight, the issuer must possess the authority to enforce it. For example, a homeowner can't legally change the speed limit on a public road.
To declare means to make something known or explicit. Declarations acknowledge what already exists or is believed to be true, but they do not inherently cause the declared event to occur.
The Origin of Decree and Declare
The concept of decreeing and declaring is often linked to verses like:
“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways” (Job 22:28).
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them” (Mark 11:23).
However, these verses must be understood in context. The passage in Mark emphasizes faith in God, not the power of our words to create reality.
Is Decreeing and Declaring Biblical?
The Bible teaches us to ask in prayer, not to decree:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7-8).
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14).
Decreeing implies that we have the power to cause things to happen, which contradicts the biblical principle of trusting in God's will and power.
The Pitfalls of Decreeing and Declaring
Decreeing and declaring can lead to a self-centered approach to prayer, potentially sidelining God's will:
- It can foster a belief that our words have the power to change reality, which is not supported by scripture.
- It might lead to disappointment when prayers aren't answered as expected, wrongly attributing the lack of results to insufficient faith rather than alignment with God's will.
How Should We Approach Prayer?
Prayer should be about aligning our will with God's:
- Ask in humility and faith, trusting that God knows what is best.
- Believe that God hears and will answer according to His will.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
In summary, while the desire to see God's promises fulfilled is commendable, the practice of decreeing and declaring should be approached with caution. Prayer is not about commanding God but about seeking His will and trusting in His faithfulness to answer in our best interest.