Well, I Declare!
In the previous posts in this series, I introduced the biblical process of Activation. Activation makes what God has appropriated active and operational in your life. What’s true about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life does not automatically become active and operational in you; these truths, graces, and gifts must be activated.
We learned that the four steps of activation are: HEAR the Word, BELIEVE the Word, SPEAK/CONFESS the Word, and finally TAKE ACTION – fully activating the Word. The first three steps are the preparation and foundation, and the fourth is the real act of activation.
In this post, let’s look at the third step of Activation: SPEAKING with the Mouth
Romans 10:10 states that “with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” For faith to work from the heart, the mouth must cooperate by speaking and agreeing. The act of speaking is a “possessor” of the truth.
Believing it in the heart, but not speaking it out of your mouth, is non-productive. James 2:26 says, “Faith without works is dead” – meaning it’s inactive, not workable, non-productive, not useful, and worthless. Words from the mouth reveal the amount of faith in the heart. Words are faith’s measuring stick.
Living, Biblical faith cannot fulfill its full function without your mouth speaking it. God’s Word is voice-activated, so call it forth!
When a Christian says “I believe” in a certain Biblical truth, and yet does not practice the scriptural principle, it is not faith, but simply acknowledging that the truth is valid.
I believed, therefore I spoke. 2 Cor. 4:13
You activate what you believe when you speak out loud His truths and promises.
Declarations and Decrees
When you receive a word from the Lord, it must be contended for with your declarations and decrees to set things in motion in the spiritual realm. So contending becomes your assignment. When you contend by speaking, you give voice to the word, the will, and the ways of God.
In accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them [the prophetic words] you fight [contend] the good fight [warfare]. I Tim. 1:18
When you speak out loud, you are making a declaration or a decree. A declaration is a truth or a promise of Scripture. For example, if you say, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus,” you are declaring truthabout yourself. If you say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” you are declaring a promise from Scripture that you are believing God to provide.
When you speak a decree, you are boldly speaking an outcome – something you believe God wants to accomplish that lines up with His will. For example, You can decree, “I will fulfill my God-given destiny.” Or, “I decree that America will be saved and fulfill her God-given purpose.”
Here are some declarations you can make to get you started:
Declaring truths —
“I declare that I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” (2 Cor. 5:21).
“I declare that I am crowned with honor and glory” (Heb. 2:7).
“I declare that I am deeply loved, highly favored, and greatly blessed.”
Declaring promises —
“I declare that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
“I declare and decree that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil:1:6).
“I declare that my God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
From my new book, Activating the Present-Day Ministry of the Holy Spirit. Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Xulon Press.