A declaration is an affirmation made with a spiritual force intended to be accomplished. Jesus said in Matthew 16: 19, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Jesus draws a nexus between events on earth and in heaven; and affirms that it will happen if done on his authority. He said in Matthew 18: 18, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Jesus has sealed his authority to his people to make declarations.
Pre-condition for a declaration
Jesus gave the authority subject to pre-conditions:
It must be declared in his name
He said in John 14: 13-14, I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. There will be no nexus between earth and heaven nor fulfillment of a declaration without Jesus. A declaration which will not glorify God in Christ Jesus will also not be honoured. The nucleus of a godly declaration must be Christ Jesus.
Jesus also said in John 15: 16, whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. He said in John 16: 23-24, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. In John 14: 13, Jesus is the provider, whereas in John 16: 23, God is the provider. God and Jesus are thus one and the same with the purpose of completing our joy. A declaration must aim at the fullness of joy to God’s glory because of Christ Jesus.
It must be from a clean heart
A declaration which comes from a clean heart aligns with God in spirit through Christ Jesus as a spiritual force. Job 36: 7 says, he (God) does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. A declaration from a clean heart receives God’s favour. Psalm 34: 15 says the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry. Our hearts determine the power in our declaration. Psalm 34: 17 says, the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 5: 12 says, he surrounds the righteous with his favour as with a shield.
God’s eyes and ears and attention is always on those with clean hearts. Psalm 97: 11 says, light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. A declaration from a clean heart therefore receives God’s attention. Psalm 146: 8 says, the Lord loves the righteous. The passage in Proverbs 4: 18 says, the path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 10: 11 says, the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life. Whatever the righteous declares will come to fruition. Psalm 66: 18 says, if I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
It must seek the good of others
A declaration must build, not destroy; bless, not curse; bring joy, and not sorrow to every heart. Proverbs 11: 23 says, the desire of the righteous ends only in good. A declaration must end in the good of others as well without destroying even our enemies as it becomes vengeful. Jesus said in John 13: 34, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. Paul wrote in Romans 14: 13… make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
When making declarations, we must ask ourselves, whether or not it will destroy or build others including our enemies? Philippians 2: 5 says… have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Declarations must consider the souls of others so as to glorify God. 1Corinthians 10: 31 says, so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. It is affirmed in Colossians 3: 17, whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
It must be accompanied by faith
A declaration is a spiritual command which we invoke from God’s throne of grace, hence we must have faith in its source and power. God will not honour our declaration when we doubt his faithfulness. Hebrews 11: 6 says, without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Effective declaration thrives on faith. Matthew 17: 20 says, for truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Jesus said in Matthew 21: 21, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. Faith is the energy that moves God’s hand in our favour; the key that unlocks God’s grace; the intelligible language of the spirit; and the fragrance of God’s glory.
Reflection
A declaration is empty if it is tainted by the operation of sin; doubt without faith; devoid of God’s glory in Christ Jesus; and made without Christ Jesus. A declaration must be effective and capable of moving God’s hand. Have we examined ourselves as sanctified by the blood of Jesus to invoke God’s spiritual authority? Declarations are ordinarily not reversible. May the Holy Spirit prepare us in our declarations.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, as we begin the year with making declarations unto our situations, circumstances, and lives, please lead us by your Holy Spirit to apply your will. Let us be mindful of its effect and implications not only for us but even our enemies. Let all our doings be clothed with your love. Let our declaration enhance us to your glory and honour. We pray in your blessed Holy name, Amen!!
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