Can we speak things into existence?

from the old testament

• The Old Testament opens with a clear picture of God’s creative authority through His word: “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). His speech is sovereign, powerful, and utterly unique. No human being is ever depicted as sharing in this power, which sets a sharp boundary between the Creator and His creatures.
• Passages that describe the power of human words emphasize their moral and relational weight, not their creative force. Proverbs says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). The proverb is not teaching that people can speak reality into being; it highlights the profound influence our words have in building up or destroying lives, shaping relationships, and influencing others for good or evil.
• The prophets consistently affirm that God alone speaks with true creative authority. Isaiah records the LORD saying, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty” (Isaiah 55:11). God’s word always accomplishes His purposes. Human words may persuade or harm, but only God’s word unfailingly brings about the outcome He intends.
• At times, false prophets claimed a kind of power in their speech. God rebuked them, saying they spoke “visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16). Their declarations could not alter reality; only what God decrees comes to pass.

from the new testament

• Speaking about Abraham, Paul said, “… in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist” (Romans 4:17). God is the One with the ability to call things into existence. Some misuse this verse to support the idea of human creative speech, but the context is about Abraham trusting God’s promise, not Abraham creating his own reality.
• Jesus’ words in Mark 11:23 are also misapplied sometimes: “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” In context, Jesus was teaching about the necessity of faith in God when praying, not about human power to cause things to happen by speaking it (or believing it). This verse focuses on God’s response to prayer, not the power of human speech.
• James spoke about the destructive power of the tongue, but he was not referring to words creating or destroying. His point was that teachers are responsible for the damage caused by careless words (James 3:1-12).
• Similarly, Paul said, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29; cf., Colossians 4:6). Words can build up or destroy people, but they have no creative power.
• Instead of teaching that words have independent creative force, the New Testament directs believers to rely on God in prayer. Jesus’ own teaching on prayer (Luke 11:1-13) shows that believers are to bring requests to their Father, trusting His wisdom and goodness. Our words do not compel God; rather, God graciously responds when His people ask in faith, according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). The true power lies not in human declarations but in God’s sovereign action.

implications for today

If we believe we can speak things into existence, we assume a power that belongs only to God. That leads to pride as we elevate our ideas and, ultimately, disillusionment when God does something other than we spoke. In fact, spiritual harm is sure to occur when spoken “declarations” fail.

The good news is that we don’t have that power. Instead, the all-powerful God invites us into prayer, where He promises to hear and answer according to His perfect wisdom. Your words can’t create reality (and the unexpected side effects that would entail), and you must entrust your needs, fears, and desires to the One who holds all things in His hands.

Be comforted by this. While your words matter—your prayers are heard, your encouragement builds up, your witness can bring someone to salvation—the power is God’s. Instead of trying to control reality, rest in His sovereignty, trust His promises, and let your speech be filled with truth, love, and prayer. In doing so, you reflect your dependence on Him and glorify the One whose word alone brings life from nothing.