The theology Charla grew up in goes by many names: word-faith, word of faith, name it and claim it, the health and wealth gospel, and prosperity gospel. This “gospel” teaches that we can speak things into existence — blessings, money, and healing. If you can name it, you claim it. I (Hillary F.) met Charla when I visited a Christian bookstore after speaking in North Carolina. Her heart for the Lord was clearly evident, and her story about coming out from the prosperity gospel worldview was compelling. I asked if she would be interested in sharing with our Mama Bear crew what this teaching did to her and what she has been learning since. I hope her story resonates with you all like it did with me.
When Fear Infiltrates Prayer, by Charla Matthews
My journey as a Christ-follower was consumed with more questions than answers, which set the scene for God to reveal a problem with my prayer life.
Seated at my writing desk, I pulled a piece of heavy-weight notebook paper from a file and began recording my words of prayer followed by a passage of Scripture. Turning to Scripture is a spiritual discipline that I use for walking in the peace of God; it calms the storms in my spirit. The passage I wrote that day was John 16:23-24.
“In that day, you will not question me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, He will give it to you. Until now, you have asked for nothing in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”
Normally, after I write down the Scripture after my prayer, I put away my journal and move forward with my day. But Jesus’ words in John 16 did not feel peaceful to me that day. In fact, I felt kind of rattled. So much so that I chose to linger a while in silence, yearning to understand the cause of my discontent.
I resisted a word study and left my commentaries on the shelf. I simply felt led by the Holy Spirit to wait on the Lord and read the passage again. I noticed that reading the words in my name caused a stir in my spirit, but not the good kind. I didn’t bristle exactly; I kind of shied away. I desired the fullness of joy promised in His Words, but joy was not what I felt.
What does that mean? Why did merely reading the words 'in my name' cause me so much discomfort? I had limited my use of the phrase out of fear that I would misuse it again. Click To Tweet
A simple question whispered in faith. A simple answer revealed the truth of my heart. The tethers of bondage were applied so subtly and so long ago that I hadn’t even known they were there. I turned back to my paper and penned these words:
Father, I allowed fear to infiltrate my life…for years. Oh. My. Soul. My time under false teaching…it still has a weed in my spirit doesn’t it? They used “in My name” as a formula — a mystic spell or incantation — for prosperity, status, bossing You around. They used Your name, Jesus, for personal gain. They reduced Your holiness to a ticket for claiming goods and self-glory. They hurt the hurting. They impoverished the poor. They bankrupted the spirits of so many in need; they still do. I was so afraid of speaking, “in Jesus’ name” in an unholy motivation that I stopped. You opened my eyes to see. Wow.”
You see, for several years I sat under a slithery and deceptive false teaching. Some call it Word of Faith. Others call it the prosperity gospel. Those who know the truth call it false doctrine. (Hillary and Amy addressed these doctrines in their podcasts about #WakeUpOlive and Todd White).
God delivered me from the Word of Faith lies more than 10 years ago, yet there I sat bound by fear and limited in prayer.
It’s not that I never said “in Jesus’ name” when I prayed; it’s that I limited my use of those words out of fear. I can try to explain it, but only God really knows how my prayers were limited because of my fear of misusing the name of my Savior.
However, I am a living testimony to the words of God through Paul the Apostle:
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:26-28, NASB)
Father, I allowed fear to infiltrate my life…for years. Oh. My. Soul. They used 'in my name' as a formula — a mystic spell or incantation — for prosperity, status, bossing you around. They used your name, Jesus, for personal gain. Click To TweetWhen God exposed the evil of their teachings and the error my ways, my spirit fractured in humiliation and fright. I confessed my fall, the deception perpetrated by the Word of Faith movement, the lie that anyone has the right to command the One True God, in any manner. I repented of the lie I had believed that ANYONE could 'command' the One True God. #wordoffaith Click To Tweet
God set me on a journey under the banner of Absolute Truth. He redeemed my time under false teaching and used it to glorify Him in truth. I know the difference now between using Jesus’ name in an unholy way and speaking the name of Jesus from a pure heart of truth.
The Word of Faith gospel negates one three-letter word, which is found in the words of Christ in John 16:23-24: ask. Jesus instructed His people to ask in His Name. The Word of Faith doctrine teaches people to command God (i.e. declare it to be so) and then use the name of Jesus as the “passcode” for getting whatever it is they desire. Like Santa Clause or a genie in a bottle. Wiggle your nose and declare that God will do something, and poof! He will do it.
A relationship defined by commanding others defies relationship, right? Contrast that with a relationship defined by asking questions in faith and receiving answers in love. The latter elevates the relationship; it acknowledged that the answers come from the One who knows all and has our best interest at heart. There is a difference between a relationship built on commanding, and one based on asking in faith. #wordoffaith Click To Tweet
Let me give you an example to clarify the point. I recently received a phone call where I learned of a sizeable (and unexpected) debt. Debt that I would have to pay in the midst of my husband’s job loss and medical crisis. If I followed the command-formula of the Word of Faith doctrine, my prayer would have sounded something like this:
“Father, I have a financial need and your Word tells me to come boldly to your throne with my need. Your Word also tells me to ask anything of you in Jesus’ name in faith that you will grant my request. So, in Jesus’ name, I need (insert any amount of money) and I expect to see it in my bank account in time to make that payment. I thank you for answering my prayer spoken in faith and according to your Word; because you tell me to remind you of your promises to your people. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. So be it. I declare in faith, it is done.”
Instead, this is how I prayed according to Jesus’ teaching:
“Father, I come to you in Jesus’ name because He made the way for me be your child and seek your will. It’s true I feel overwhelmed and my tears testify to that fact. But my tears do not reduce the power of my faith in you. You hear. You know. You care. How will this debt be paid? I don’t know but You do. You own all, and I am yours. I know you will show me your way, and until I know your answer, I will continue with the tasks at hand. Thank you for access to you through prayer, and thank you for the way you choose to answer.”
Just consider how this story began. I asked my Father the simple question, “What does that mean?”
When I pray in Jesus’ name now, there is a holy and sacred pause because of who He is. We, His followers, are taught to place our faith in Him, to ask, and to know that He hears and will respond. Praying in Jesus’ name reminds me — turns my heart toward — the merciful truth of who He is and what He did for me.
My prayer life is more powerful and more sacred because of who I am in — and because of — Christ.
Charla Matthews is a sojourner in Christ who seeks to listen to — and obey — the single Voice of Truth. She thrives on communicating God’s Word through teaching and writing. Charla enjoys a good belly laugh, gets misty-eyed during profound moments with God, and strives for quality living with family and friends. Above all else, she loves Jesus without shame. Connect with Charla on her website, Truth in the Midst.
Guest Author is probably awesome at what she does. She is probably a mom, but possibly not. She definitely has good things to say, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been offered the position of guest author. You can read more of Guest Author’s work at the link at the end of her post. We like Guest Author. She is our friend.
Oh this is so good! Her prayers are incredibly beautiful and humble, and I’m thankful to see the contrast in the word of faith prayer vs. her current prayer.
It helps me learn the difference and even similarities between the two. It’s the similarities that make it tricky to identify the lies.
Thanks for your book, blog, emails, podcast, ALL of it!
May God continue to bless your work by using it to open people’s eyes and hearts and minds to his Truth!
You articulated your observations well! Seeking answers to why I felt something was awry is how God led me to apologetics. Praise the Lord for Mama Bear and others who minister in truth.
I’ve not been exposed to this type of teaching (unless I saw it on certain TV religious shows) so to read how it attempted to hijack Truth in your heart, gives me not only a greater understanding of its danger, but also to the power of Christ in helping you to see the Truth and walk in it through His power. Thank you for this post, Charla.
Amen, Cathy. It is dangerous because – true to the definition – it is so deceptive. The Holy Spirit was with me the entire time, and God gets all the glory for leading me out. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Jesus spoke those powerful words in Mark 11 vs 23. If you have an issue with the ‘prosperity gospel’ , you should take it up with Jesus.
Am just so glad the word works and you can have what you say – prosperity and all.
P.S.
Most of the so called prosperity preachers are the one doing the most for the lord.
Emmanuel, thank you for taking the time to express your position on this important theological belief. You are correct! The Word is true and it does accomplish the intent of God’s will. You and I are living proof! It’s no mistake you took the time to read my story. God is amazing like that, right?!
May I share something? I felt the same as you when I followed the Word of Faith (WOF) doctrine, but God graciously – and continually – used His Word to reveal the truth. It was not a pretty transition because God’s Word (studied in context) revealed the truth about my desire to live according to my will as opposed to His. Dying to self never made so much sense as when I chose to apply the truth of Jesus’ words according to His intent. One of the most delightful things (and there are many) about turning from WOF is that Scripture, which once seemed to contradict itself, became seamless and supportive in its entirety. Freedom was mine as never before, just as His Word promises.
Thank you for the opportunity to share a little more about my journey!
Very well said my friend. To know you back then and to know today, truly blesses my heart to see not only your spiritual growth over the years but the Depth of it. God has certainly poured His Spirit into your heart, walk, devotion, writings and your love for Christ.
In Mark 1:14-15 we see Jesus’ heart and His main mission before He ever preached His first message and before He ever performed any miracles – The Gospel of God and the kingdom of God was His heart and mission. You my friend reflect and live out both in Jesus’ name.
May you continue to Stand Firm on and Cling to the Absolute Truth of Scripture as you exemplify a True disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Terry. God led me to the store where David and you became the men of God who would help me learn the truth that set me free and placed my feet on the path of guiding others toward freedom. We stand in a good place given from our Father. Thank you for being more than a sounding board, you truly invested in my life.
I’m not a fan of the WOF movement, but I have two questions/comments:
1. I know that the Word of Faith Movement places a lot of emphasis on positive confession and the power of words. Aren’t there some aspects of this positive confession theology that are scriptural? Is there anything wrong with confessing what the Word of God already says concerning us? We know the Word of God says, for instance, that “by His stripes we were healed” (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5). Therefore, if a believer is sick and he then begins to confess “I am healed because the Bible says ‘By His stripes I was healed””, is there anything wrong with this type of positive confession which is based on the Word of God? In this case, the believer is simply confessing what the Word of God already said. He is not speaking his own words but the Word of God. Since there is power in the Word of God, shouldn’t the believer speak it and expect to receive healing by speaking the Word of God concerning his illness? As long as the content of one’s positive confession is the Word of God, it seems to me that it is perfectly in order. If someone chooses to express his faith by speaking what the Word of God says concerning his/her situation, I believe it is biblical to do so as long as they are relying on God’s Word, not their own words. What do you think about this?
2. You say the Word of Faith movement teaches people to “command God” instead of asking for things in prayer. Don’t you think there is sufficient scriptural justification for believers to pray authoritative prayers whereby they speak directly to their mountains/problems (as Mark 11:23 suggests) instead of praying to God to help them remove the mountain or deal with the problem? It seems to me that there are scriptures that support the view that God has given us the authority to deal directly with our mountains/obstacles by speaking to them and commanding them in the name of Jesus Christ. For example, the disciples cast out demons (Mark 6:12-13); Peter commanded the lame man at the Beautiful gate to rise up and walk (Acts 3:6), and Elijah decreed that there shall be no rain or dew except by his word (1 Kings 17:1). In each of these examples, the believers did not pray to God to help them solve the problem; instead, they used their God-given authority to deal with the problem.
As I study the Bible, it seems to me that there are different types of prayers. There is a prayer of supplication whereby we come to God to make requests by asking for Him to do things for us. But there is also scriptural evidence of a different type of prayer — authoritative prayer and warfare prayer. In authoritative prayer, we use our God-given authority to directly deal with obstacles by speaking to these “mountains” directly and commanding them to give way. Jesus says, “whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth is loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:28). In addition, the Bible says “You shall decree a thing and it shall be established unto you, and the light shall shine upon your ways” (Job 22;28). What say you?
Many blessings,
Victor.
Cara M prayer Quote
“How will this debt be paid? I don’t know but You do. You own all, and I am yours. I know you will show me your way, and until I know your answer, ”
Instead of commanding the money to be paid Leave it in God’s hands How He will accomplish it. Because money can be a problem 1 Timothy 6:5 ” and constant friction between people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” NASB
The key to living by faith is to have contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.” NASB
Victor –
I like the Job 22:28 quote light will shine on our ways.
I suffered a brain injury as an adolescent that still affects me to this day. I did it to myself but it was an accident. I was unsaved at the time. I became depressed and filled with suicidal ideations. I kept this all inside. One day two christians crossed my path and explained the gospel to me. They spoke of the forgiveness God offered through Jesus Christ. It was too good to be true. I was a sponge and wanted to learn more. They were affiliated with the teachings of Kenneth Hagin. Once I found out God could heal me that is all it took, it became my focus. I could not believe anymore, I knew I would be healed, I was healed in Jesus name!! However the healing never came. I became disheartened over time and eventually completely turned my back on God. It started off with sexual sins then progressed into alcohol and drug abuse. I hated God for saving me in a biblically unsound church doctrine. I have struggled ever since. Decades later I am somehow still alive after years of alcohol and drug abuse. I recently had open heart surgery and am trying once again to get sober. I hope my resentment toward God can be healed enough for me to trust Him again.
Firstly, a wonderful testimony by Sister Charla. Praise God for His abundant mercies.
The following is in response to a fellow Brother who commented on positive confessions and authoritative prayers. It’s slightly long…do bear with me.
1. Regarding positive confessions.
In 1 Peter 2:24, Peter was restating Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah (Isaiah 53:5-6) to drive home a point. Peter clearly said “by His wounds we have been healed”. But, what is included in this healing, and when and how is it given?
Preachers in the WoF Movement claim the healing purchased by Jesus’ wounds applies to physical sickness today. That means, as Christians, we should be living free from sickness; if not, the problem lies in our lack of faith.
By faith, we are saved and filled with the Spirit. Does it need more faith to be healed of a physical illness? Is physical illness more of a problem than our sin nature, that it requires more faith? Can we claim physical healing based on this verse?
In order to properly understand Scripture, it should be studied in its proper context – who said something, to whom was it said, when was it said, what is the general essence of a passage, etc. etc., instead of isolating verses to suit our purpose.
(a) Firstly, 1 Peter is Peter’s letter to the churches in five Roman provinces (now in modern day Turkey). They were undergoing some severe persecutions. And this letter exhorted them to keep their eternal deliverance in view while going through their various trials (1 Peter 1:3-12).
Viewing the earthly in light of the eternal is central to the theme of the whole of 1 Peter. Every part of the letter develops a different outworking of this theme.
Peter initially encourages holy living as a chosen people. He then goes on to how we are live in submission – to God-ordained authorities (governing authorities [v13-17], workplace authorities [v18-25] and family authorities [Ch 3:1-7]).
Ch 2:24 occurs within the discussion of submission in our workplace. Jesus’ work on the cross is used as an example to teach us submission in our workplace, even when we’re treated unjustly. In our old nature we would not go through unjust treatment, but now we can, because we’ve been healed.
Both the passages (Isaiah & 1 Peter) do not exclude physical healing. And neither can we demand physical healing based on them. The primary focus is on the spiritual healing from sin.
To see physical healing mandated in 1 Peter 2:24, we must ignore the topic (i.e., submission to workplace authorities) and shift the focus (from spiritual to physical healing). In other words, one must ignore the meaning of the passage to establish this connection.
We can firmly expect perfect health in the resurrection. But, this verse does not provide a firm basis to claim perfect health in the mortality of this present world.
(b) Secondly, just the plain reading of the passage (since Scripture division into verses and chapters was quite late, in AD 1555).
1 Peter 2:24-25 (ESV) “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
v25 starts off with the word “For…” – the word “for” (γάρ) means properly assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification): – and, as, because etc.
The word “for” therefore gives us the reason for something having taken place. We could therefore paraphrase v24-25 in this manner – “…By His wounds you have been healed” because “you were straying like sheep…” so that, we can now “die to sin and live to righteousness”
2. Regarding authoritative prayers:
In the gospels, Jesus teaches us to ask in prayer (Matthew 7:7-11). In contrast to the four gospels and Acts (which are primarily historical texts), the letters in the New Testament are prescriptive for us. The letters constantly exhort us to put forward our requests and supplications to our Lord. Peter commanding the lame to walk (Acts 3:6) and Elijah’s prophecy of drought (1 Kings 17:1) – they were acting on their God given Apostolic/Prophetic authority. These are descriptive passages. Since Scripture will not contradict itself, and we are told to ask in prayer, I personally don’t think we can appropriate descriptive passages as prescriptive for us.
Matthew 18:18 – the “binding and loosing” passage – this verse was said in relation to church discipline – “binding and loosing” is a rabbinic idiom for forbidding or permitting. When we ask anything according to God’s will (1 John 5:14) and when we do everything for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), heaven will obviously agree with what we agree on earth.
Job 22:28 was spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, who was later rebuked by the Lord for not speaking what was right (Job 42:7).
In Him
Jacob