What exactly does it mean to decree and declare God’s Word over our lives? Is this Biblical? What does it really accomplish? Many of us have been taught to do this or have avoided it because of the possibility that it is not sound doctrine. I have heard some state that this is a mentality that comes from the “prosperity movement of distorted doctrine”. Let’s examine this together and see what the Word of God really has to say.
The word “decree” and “declare” are used together in Christian prayers and mean distinctively two separate things.
Let’s take a look at the definition of declare. The word declare comes from the Hebrew word “achvah” which means to “make known” or “to set forth an accounting”. If anyone has ever visited another country, you might be familiar with the word “declare”. It is used by custom agents upon your return (in the United States). They ask international travelers “Do you have anything to declare?” They are asking you to itemize in detail funds or goods which you have acquired on your trip and are bringing back into the country.
According to Dictionary.com, decree is defined as "a formal and authoritative order having the force of law; a judicial decision or order. Google’s definition includes "a mandate; proclamation; edict; command; an official order issued by a legal authority." Other definitions include "to state emphatically; to show; reveal; manifest; and to declare one’s position in a controversy." Job 22:28 states “Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee and the light shall shine upon thy ways”. Many of us have read this passage without understanding the power of what this Word from God truly means. Let’s go further.
The word established is defined as:" to set up on a firm or permanent basis; to achiever permanent acceptance or recognition for, to sow, reveal to be true based on the facts." Any person who makes a decree must be in a position of power and authority. As Christians, Luke 10:19 reminds us that Jesus gave us all authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the evil one so that nothing can harm us. Scripture also reminds us in Matthew 16:18-19 that Jesus has given us the keys to the kingdom of heaven and whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven when we pray in His Name.
There are many other verses on spiritual authority. Proverbs 18:21 further reminds us that the tongue has the power of life and death.
Just as God spoke everything into existence, we as His children have a powerful weapon in our Words. We can declare blessings or curses upon our lives and others. We can cancel out our prayers in moments of doubt, stress, anxiety by complaining and thinking/speaking about what “we” can or cannot handle.
Let’s take a look now at what decree means. The English definition of decree is “a statement of truth that carries the authority of a court order”. A great example of this is when you go to court and a sentence or judgment is made. It cannot be ignored because of the authority of the court issued the decree or declaration. A more familiar expression would be "the court made a judgement".
Decrees are used to fulfill Matthew 6:10 “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”. Decrees cause truths from the Word and the heavenly realm to be manifested in our earthly realm. In Hebrew, decree, means “to divide, separate and destroy.” When we decree for example “I am blessed” (based on Psalm 112:1) we establish blessing while separating from anything purposed against it by the enemy. We simultaneously are destroying the enemies plans against us.
I believe we can reason then with a sound mind that we have the power and authority to make decrees and expect them to be carried out. When we decree, we use the Word of God to state our case concerning our home, family, ministry and any other concerns we have. We have the authority to expect to see our words manifested in our life. As Christians we must understand our legal right to have those decrees upheld. We must be careful to decree God’s will (His Word) and not our own.
The German “diktat” is the equivalent of decree in the English language and means “a harsh judgment imposed on a defeated enemy that cannot be opposed”. Elizabeth A. Nixon is an attorney who states: “The spiritual ramifications are stunning.
We see when we decree we:
Speak God’s blessings upon our lives,
Institute the very will and purposes of God,
Separate and destroy the plans of the enemy,
Impose a judgment the enemy cannot oppose.
As we can see, God has truly given us authority to equip us in our walk. Sadly, some are not using this authority, thus not walking in as much victory as Our Heavenly Father has provided for them.
With the authority invested in us by our Lord Jesus Christ, let us decree and declare boldly and with confidence, because He said so.
