Q: #137. Can we speak things that don't exist into existence?
A: This is a teaching found mainly in charismatic circles today that has no Biblical basis. The verse that is usually used to support this teaching is found in (Rom 4:17) which says, “(as it is written, I have made thee (Abraham) a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even GOD, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Read this carefully. Who calleth those things which be not as though they were? God! We cannot do this, but God can.
This verse has been twisted to turn faith into something that is for personal gain. When our prayers should be for conforming our will to God’s will, instead this false teaching is saying that God should be conforming His will to what WE WANT. Yes, it may be His will for us to have something or be set free from some physical ailment, but it also may not. We should not be so pretentious as to make God our personal butler, jumping at our every command, and thinking it is His will to give us our every desire…
Some examples of this “name it, claim it” teaching are:
“God wants me to be rich, so I will be rich.”
“God doesn’t want anyone to be unhealthy, so just have faith and claim health and you won’t be sick.”
“God wants me to have a new car, so I thank God I have a new car” (when God hasn’t even given you one).
This kind of teaching is just foolish and destructive. For one, it makes the unbelieving world think Christians are nuts when they hear this, and destroys the most important job any Christian has, which is to win souls to Christ. In addition, it destroys the faith of MANY Christians because they are led to believe they lack faith or they WOULD be rich, healthy, etc… Those who teach this stuff and destroy the faith of others will one day answer for it.
Related: What does the Bible say about healing?