Can you speak of things as if they exist?

1. Introduction to the Concept of Speaking Things into Existence

In various passages, Scripture reveals God as the One who created all things by His powerful word. Genesis 1:3 declares, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” This establishes a foundational precedent: the Creator calls into being what did not previously exist.

Where some theological debates arise is whether humans can similarly “speak things into existence.” The question stems partly from passages about believers’ faith-filled declarations, such as Romans 4:17, describing “the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist.” While this truth certainly affirms God’s power, it also inspires important questions about the role of our words and faith in daily life.

Below, we explore biblical contexts, related passages, and a range of interpretive insights to answer whether it is possible—and appropriate—to speak of things as if they exist, from a comprehensive perspective that upholds Scripture as final authority and consistent with historical, archaeological, and scientific findings.

2. Old Testament Context: God’s Creative Word

God’s act of creation by His spoken command is most directly seen in the opening verses of Genesis:

• “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

• “Then God said … and it was so.” (Genesis 1:6–7)

In every instance, God’s word was immediate and powerful. Additional passages, such as Psalm 33:6—“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made”—affirm the supremacy of His creative speech.

Archaeological explorations in places like Mesopotamia, where early accounts of creation stories have been uncovered (e.g., the Enuma Elish), show stark contrasts to the biblical narrative. The Genesis account’s unique emphasis on a powerful, transcendent Creator who speaks everything into existence remains unparalleled from an ancient Near Eastern perspective.

This backdrop indicates that the power resides uniquely in God’s word, rather than in human speech, to bring things forth from nothing.

3. New Testament Insights: God’s Authority and Our Role

In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrates authority in His words while upholding the supremacy of God’s power. One of the most pointed examples appears in Mark 11:23: “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him.”

This verse highlights faith and trust in God’s sovereign power—not words alone—as the catalyst for miraculous events. Christ’s emphasis encourages believers to exercise confident faith. However, faith is shaped by the Holy Spirit guiding hearts to align with God’s will (1 John 5:14). Speaking in faith is less about manipulating reality and more about agreeing with God’s declared truth.

When Romans 4:17 references God as the One who “calls into being what does not exist,” it specifically attributes such power to God. As creatures made in His image, believers can reflect His nature through faithful proclamations, but it is always under the authority of His sovereign will.

4. Distinguishing God’s Sovereignty from Human Capacity

Scripture never portrays humanity as having the intrinsic power to create from nothing—this is solely God’s domain. In Hebrews 11:3, it is written: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Thus, “speaking of things as though they exist” must be understood within the boundaries of God’s sovereignty. Faith does not replace God’s creative action; rather, faith recognizes, relies on, and proclaims God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Throughout history, including modern eras, testimonies of answered prayers, miraculous healings, and fulfilled prophecies align with God’s revealed Word. Reports compiled by researchers and historians—such as accounts of medically documented recoveries that defy natural explanations—illustrate moments when faithful believers have prayed in agreement with God’s promises, resulting in tangible outcomes. These instances demonstrate cooperation with God’s sovereignty, not personal human power to generate reality from emptiness.

5. Biblical References Often Used to Support This Idea

1. Proverbs 18:21: “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.”

• This passage underscores the importance of speech in shaping relationships, destinies, and moral conduct; however, it does not imply humans have power to create from nothing.

2. James 3:5: “Consider how a small spark sets a great forest ablaze.”

• James stresses that words carry immense influence, but again, the focus is on caution and accountability rather than creative capacity.

3. Romans 10:9–10: Outlines that confession with our mouth is crucial for salvation.

• This underscores that verbal expression of faith matters deeply; it does not equate to speaking physical realities into existence.

6. Faith, Prayer, and God’s Promises

Miracles and answers to prayer illustrate an important principle: God interacts with those who approach Him in faith. Yet prayer is always directed toward God as the One with power. Speaking about a promise in Scripture as something we expect God to fulfill is biblically warranted—provided it is consistent with His Word.

One might say, “I believe that God will provide,” citing Philippians 4:19—“And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” This is not a human conjuring of realities but rather a faith-filled agreement with what God has already declared.

7. Practical Application: Encouraging a Scriptural Perspective

• Acknowledge God’s Ultimate Authority: We align our words with His revealed will and rely upon His power.

• Discern Between Scripture and Presumption: We separate biblical promises from personal desires. True faith is rooted in biblical truth, not self-determined declarations (John 15:7).

• Practice Wisdom in Confession: Words can impact mindsets, relationships, and attitudes deeply. While they do not create ex nihilo, wise, Scripture-based speech builds faith communities and nurtures hope.

• Engage in Prayerful Expectation: Miracles documented throughout history—both in biblical times and modern accounts—testify that God answers prayer, reflecting His active presence in creation.

8. Historical and Archaeological Corroborations

Archaeological evidence supporting the historical reliability of Scripture includes the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which demonstrate the consistent transmission of Old Testament texts for centuries. Findings such as the Tel Dan Stele, which cites the “House of David,” attest to the real-life existence of biblical figures, aligning with Scripture’s narratives rather than mythical invention.

These confirm that the Bible remains trustworthy where it speaks historically, thereby validating its broader teachings on theology and God’s creative capacity. Combined with scholarly commentary on ancient manuscripts, such as the extensive works that compare thousands of New Testament copies (Papyri, Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus), the evidence firmly supports the Bible’s reliability.

When applied to discussions of speaking things into existence, the broader scriptural integrity underscores that God indeed speaks reality into being, whereas human speech anchors its power in trusting—and proclaiming—the Word of God.

9. Conclusion

From Genesis forward, Scripture sets a clear foundation: God alone can and does speak things into existence. Believers are invited to align with God’s Word and pray in faith for His will to be made manifest.

Though life and death truly rest in the power of the tongue, and the faithful confessions of believers can lead to answered prayer or healing, the biblical witness maintains that creation from nothing is unique to God. We may declare, in harmony with Romans 4:17, that He “gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist,” but we do so by recognizing that the capacity to create reality belongs to Him, not to us.

Christians can speak God’s truths confidently, knowing that the same God who spoke the universe into existence is actively at work. Our words become powerful when they echo and trust His eternal Word, glorifying Him in faith-filled worship, prayer, and witness.