IS THERE A MIRACLE IN YOUR MOUTH?

By Pastor Mark Simpson

A note from the President: About 10 years ago, while I was a volunteer chaplain at a suburban hospital, a 51 year old man was brought in to the hospital by ambulance. He had passed on while in transit. As I went to console his wife she turned on me and said, “Don’t talk to me about God, He lied to me.” Her parents arrived at about this time and attempted to explain her anger. She and her now deceased husband had been very involved in the teachings of Kenneth Copeland. They had contributed large amounts of money to his ministry. When her husband was diagnosed with cancer they went to one of Copeland’s meeting’s where they had been told that the husband had been healed. In fact, it was guaranteed in the redemption. They needed to stop “claiming” the symptoms. With proper treatments, his type of cancer, which has a very high recovery rate, would most likely have been cured. Taking the treatments, however, would have been “claiming” the symptoms. Believing this Word-Faith teacher, they did not pursue treatment and were confessing his already guaranteed healing up to the moment of his death.

        I share this story in order to clarify some misconceptions. We received three letters about the May/June Journal from those of the Pentecostal persuasion questioning what appeared to them to be an anti-Pentecostal position. One asked to be dropped from the mailing list. We accommodated him. Two asked for clarification, which we supplied. Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc. does not take an official stand for or against Pentecostalism. We have pro and con views represented within the ministry as well as working with other ministries of both persuasions. The articles in the Journal are written by both. We take a united stand against the desperately heretical and harmful teachings, harmful both in this life and the next, of the Word Faith teachers. One of the individuals who wrote for clarification is a Pentecostal pastor who also submitted an article on the biblical view of positive confession. I thank him for his contribution.

                                Yours in His service,

                                                L.L. (Don) Veinot Jr.

                                                President

                                                Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc.

ight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, Who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession . . .” (1 Tim. 6:12-13, NASB).

        In looking at the prominent contemporary issue of “being strong in the faith”, I realize quickly that the issue of positive confession, or how we speak about our faith, must be clearly addressed. This is an attempt to do so.

        In our generation, already so dominated by materialistic and personal pursuits, we are finding the need to separate the sense from the nonsense regarding our faith in Him and what some tell us He is obligated to give us. One modern teaching on faith centers on the ability of our mouth, by speaking “faith filled words,” to obtain God’s promises and to even create things and situations. Jesus spoke forth many miracles with His mouth; even though He does now live in us by the Holy Spirit, is it that simple for us? Can we do the same? If so, what type of miracles should be happening as a result of our confession? “Positive confession” is a doctrine I would define as learning to confess or speak the things that are in line with God’s Word rather than human sight, insight, philosophy and the thoughts of the natural man. It is, I believe, sound doctrine when taught from the whole counsel of God. First, we have to correctly define the word “positive.” Is it suitable for us to define positive from our own perspectives, or are we called to study the Word, renew our mind, and begin to think as God thinks in every given situation? If we do this, if we grow in the Word, we will find that “positive” takes on a different meaning.

        One way the thought of being “positive” is carried out today is by means of promise boxes, promise calendars, promise and prayer books, and so forth. There are a number of scriptural promises in these contemporary resources that you will probably never see used. For example, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, even all the nations that forget God” (Ps. 9:17, KJV). Why don’t we confess this one? Probably because it is not positive from our perspective. (Some may be tempted to confess this when a co-worker is hassling them.)

        However, from God’s perspective it is positive because it is a declaration of God’s righteousness and justice, standing against sin for all eternity. God will be vindicated in the last day, demonstrating a great triumph for His heavenly kingdom.

        From the first verse I quoted, we can see Timothy being called to a “good” confession just like the one Jesus made. If confession is comprised of words, and if words come from that which fills the heart, then we know that the primary goal in the teaching of this doctrine should be the preparation of the heart. Part of Jesus’ “confession” was silence; He said nothing when accused. Part of His confession was forgiveness, when on the cross He prayed mercy upon His enemies. Ultimately, He confessed submission to God’s will. This is, I believe, confession’s “acid test.” Therefore, confession here and always is a matter of character, godly character of heart and mind lived out in words.

        If Jesus is an example for us to follow, and if His confession is our goal as a result, then maybe there’s not a “miracle in our mouth.” Maybe something else is supposed to happen sometimes. I believe that the whole counsel of scripture teaches that we cannot always confess a miracle and receive it simply by confessing it enough. Many other factors have to enter in, the first of which is the hearing of god’s will. Jesus’ example shown above revealed that he depended on hearing god’s will, all night, in prayer in the garden. It was reinforced at that time that god’s will for him was death, and that he was to abide in that will faithfully even if angels were available to get him out of it. He made no attempt to confess it away, as a sign to us that we will not always get what we want, no matter how we try to speak it into existence (or nonexistence).

Where is Death and Life?

        “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). ALSO, “This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life” (1 John 2:25). “God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9). “This life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life” (I John 5:11-12). “Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life” (Prov. 4:13).

        These verses teach a balanced message. First, part of the reception of this gift of life consists of verbally confessing our faith (Rom. 10:9-10). People can and often do talk themselves into and out of a lot of things. I have seen this in counseling. Also, the constant repetition of unbelief of God’s promises is called the sin of unbelief. It is a sin, not just a predisposition of the heart. Being a sin, it must be repented of. In fact, many forms of sinful “confession” are clearly outlined in Ephesians 4:29-5:10. We are not allowed to “just say what we feel like saying” in the name of honesty. On the other hand, we are called to season all of our speech with the grace of God, and to be slow to speak.  The bottom line is this: I cannot merely gain “life” by the way I speak. Should I memorize all of the “positive confession” texts I would still perish forever unless the Son, by His grace, imparts to me life by my believing in the free gift of God and receiving the Holy Spirit inside as God’s own inward witness. Mary’s first confession was, “How can this be?” She still brought forth the Savior. The first confession of Job’s wife was, “Curse God and die.” She still received double what she and her husband lost. Does not God say that He abides faithful even when we appear to act, and sometimes speak, faithlessly?

        I am much afraid that Christianity’s message from many is producing more fear and anxiety than peace and rest of heart. Rather than teaching people to confide in the mighty power of a limitless God, we are teaching them to put their confidence in what people said about Him. A recent television speaker told his audience that God does nothing in the earth without human permission and speaking. In the light of such foolishness, I am SO glad that the blessings and promises of God are not imparted merely by human mouths but from His loving and sovereign will.

Where is Life?

        “We know we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death” (I John 3:14). From this verse we can see that there is more to life than just saying the right thing. Life is not just in the power of my tongue. Life actually consists more of what we do for others, rather than in what we confess for ourselves. In the “positive confession” doctrine, this has been another recent extreme – the use of the tongue to produce “life” (or more correctly, my own perception of what “life” would be) for me rather than others first. We’re being taught to confess a better job, a luxury car and perfect health for ourselves, rather than salvation for 20,000 Muslims who die and go to a Christ-less eternity each day. Furthermore, to secure this life for them (the currently unsaved Muslims) we will need much more than positive talk and prayer on their behalf. It consists, according to I John 3:17-18, of going to them and loving them in practical ways. Life for us, and for others, is therefore primarily composed of loving deeds that should accompany our good confession.

Where is Death?

        On the other hand, let us see how death is ministered. Does it again only come from the tongue? Can I “talk myself into a cold”? Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Here we see that a way of life is involved, not just some words. Words do contribute to the death of many things, such as dreams and hopes and self-worth. Continual verbal abuse can contribute to the production of the death of hope, destiny and vision. It has been noted that the average child in the United States hears seven negative comments at home for each positive one. I keep a poster listing 100 positive things to say to children in my office at home.

        Notice that the constant speaking of tradition by churches has produced many lifeless assemblies among the nations where such speakers have gone. Notice that miracles never happen any more in many places because the people have spoken against them for years. The people of Jesus’ own hometown speaking against Him hindered them from receiving or witnessing many miracles. Their cynical words drove Him away. Speaking further of verbal abuse, I John 5:1 says, “Whoever loves the Father [those who say they are Christians] loves the child born of Him.” If I claim to love the Father God, in His Son Jesus’ name, I will automatically love those born of Him. I will love them, including my children, in deed and truth and will avoid the abusive tongue. I cannot wish them life, then speak unto them death. Colossians 3:8 tells us to remove abusive speech from our mouths.

        I would hasten to add that the book of Proverbs does teach that the tongue can be used to either heal and teach, or to wound and work ruin, and that if we guard the mouth we guard the soul. But Proverbs also teaches (3:5-8, 4:20-22) that healing comes from trusting in the Lord, acknowledging Him in all we do, keeping His Words in our hearts and not just on our mouths, and reverencing Him in such a way that we turn away from evil. One of the scandals regarding the confession doctrine is the reality that for many, it just hasn’t worked. However, the reason for it not working has been attributed to things just as twisted as the ways in which it was improperly used in the first place. For example, when some fail to receive (right away), often they are rebuked or even mocked, while Scripture teaches us just the opposite – to minister to the afflicted and struggling. As a pastor I have seen many prevail over time, and during that time they have needed a loving, patient, encouraging shepherd and friend. What does the Bible teach about those who endeavored to walk in God’s promises and somehow didn’t get the fullness? “And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Heb. 11:39-40). Rather than teach the false doctrines of “progressive revelation” or “revelation knowledge” (where it is said that we now have an even greater revelation than the 66 books of the Bible!), God calls us to teach that much of our pursuit in faith is to be for others rather than ourselves.

        For example, God has always been a healing God. If this is true, then why were healings almost non-existent for the four hundred years before Jesus’ birth? It is because God said that in the fullness of (His) time He would send a Son (Gal. 4:4-6). Therefore, the heroes of faith were living and confessing things that became ours due to their faith. They were praying and confessing, Hebrews says, for us! While they were praying and confessing, they were destitute (Greek definition for this word is coming behind, facing lack), possessed inferior dwellings, shabby clothing and afflictions without number (Heb. 11:35-38).    

        What did they hear when they laid down their sword of faith and entered eternity? God said, “You gained My approval.” That’s what the Word says. Since when were we called to believe that faith was merely a substance for self-pursuit? Know this: the Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith” heroes used their faith for others, including those hundreds of years afterwards – even us, the Church.

CONCLUSION:

        Maybe there is a miracle in your mouth. If you’re saved, you’ve already seen one happen. It’s called salvation. There will yet be others, like salvation for others you love (and don’t even know), demons being cast out, other wonderful signs, miraculous provision, healings for you and others, and still more. Expect them, speak about them, and be “positive” about the promises of God. At the same time, as a possessor of a maturing faith, please understand that we simply can’t base a whole doctrine (like the tongue being able to heal and even create) on a verse or two. Read carefully, meditate and pray over all of the verses listed above, and learn to confess God’s good confession. He will show you what is “positive.” I’m positive about that!!

         Pastor Mark Simpson and his wife Lois have served as missionaries to Mexico and Guatemala. He attended Elim Bible College in New York and received his Bachelor’s degree from International Bible Institute and Seminary of Pensacola, FL. He is currently the Senior Pastor of Celebration Fellowship in Bolingbrook, IL where he has been for over 7 years. He, along with his wife, Lois and 2 of their 4 children live in Bolingbrook, IL.

        We appreciate Pastor Simpson’s perspective on this, as he is a Pentecostal Pastor who is concerned about the false teachings of the Word Faith teachers.