Jesse Duplantis twists Romans 4:17

This blog is taken from a video on Jesse Duplanits's YouTube page. The link is below. The quoted section below in italics is from timestamp 00:25-1:19. Please watch the video in its entirety to see that I have not taken him out of context. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiVNWGOXHbA&t=81s

“Romans 4:17, For God said, I call those things that be not as though they were. Which means simply this: If I want a miracle, I don’t call it sickness. If I need money I don’t call it debt…..My point is simply this: calling those things that are not as though they were means you're not just throwing words in the air, you’re saying what you want instead of what you have. So many people have no problem telling God what they have. Oh Lord, I'm run down; oh Lord, I'm tired; he knows all that, he knows all that. Why are you telling him something he already knows? Tell him something he doesn’t know; tell him what you want.”

Let's break this down into three specific points as we work our way through this unbiblical, dangerous, and damaging teaching. First, we'll examine the misinterpretation of Romans 4:17. Second, we'll discuss the 'me-centred theology' that this teaching promotes. Finally, we'll consider the potential harm that can come from this type of teaching. 

Romans 4:17 from the ESV states, “as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’—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.” I encourage you to read chapter four of Romans and also the first nine chapters of Romans to fully understand Paul's argument. Jesse believes this verse means we can manifest whatever we desire and call it into existence. However, who in this verse gives life to the dead and calls things into existence? It's God. Not me, not you, and definitely not Jesse Duplantis.

Read the whole of chapter 4 and, particularly, verses 13-25. You will find that Paul clearly states God's promise to Abraham is to make him the father of many nations (see Genesis 15:5). Abraham firmly believed in this promise even though it looked improbable. It was God alone who fulfilled this promise, not Abraham. However, Jesse has distorted the meaning of this text by suggesting that we can achieve what only God can do. This is a grave mistake; we should not misuse the words of the Bible for our selfish desires. 

1 John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him". It is important to note that when we pray, we should ask according to God's will, not our own. We should also bring our requests to Him, not make demands of God. Bringing our requests according to his will gives us confidence that God hears us and will answer our prayers.

Next, you will notice that this comment is entirely centred around me and what I can gain for myself. If you take the time to watch the full six-and-a-half-minute video, you'll see that this is just a small example of the very self-centred theology. The ‘prayer’ is not centred on God's glory but instead on greed and a desire for temporal things. Our focus during prayer should be on God and His glory. In Matthew 6:9-14 and Luke 11:2-4, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. The first part of the prayer in both passages is "hallowed be your name," which means to give God glory, awe, and reverence. In Isaiah 43:7, God says, "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." We were created for His glory; therefore, anything we ask of Him in prayer should align with His will and bring Him glory. We should not pray out of greed or to glorify ourselves.

In the video, there is a part where Jesse says to "tell God something he doesn't know". However, it's essential to note that according to the biblical doctrine of the sovereignty of God, He knows everything, including past, present, and future events. To claim otherwise is to fall into the heresy of open theism, where God does not know the future and simply reacts to our choices and decisions. The Bible says, "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose" (Isaiah 46:10). To say that God doesn’t know what we want until we tell him and suggesting that God does not know future events is a very unbiblical teaching. 

The danger of the teaching espoused by Jesse and other 'word of faith' proponents, such as Kenneth Copeland, Andrew Wommack, and Jerry Savelle, is that it puts me in the position of God. Instead of humbly approaching the Father with our requests, we demand things of Him that satisfy our desires and greed, expecting Him to deliver them to us like a genie in a bottle.

Even worse is Jesse’s teaching that we are the ones who can make things happen and manifest our wants by the words of our mouths. Something that scripture explicitly teaches is the exclusive ability of God. 

The teaching that suggests people can manifest their desires by speaking them into existence is very harmful. When the things they desire don't come to pass, people may lose faith in God altogether. They may feel like it is their fault for not having enough faith or not choosing the right words. This teaching puts unnecessary blame on the person praying, instead of trusting in God's sovereignty and wisdom. It is spiritually crushing to be told that the reason we're still sick or troubled is that it is our fault. In reality, God works all things together for good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28) even if we don't understand how or why. The belief that we have control over everything is damaging, but instead, we should trust God's plan for our lives.

Dear believer, I encourage you to rest in God's love and grace, no matter what sickness or financial troubles you may be facing. Remember that God knows all things and is working all things for His glory, which is ultimately what we are created for. This life is not about us, but it's about our remarkable God and His Glory. Bring your petitions to Him because He loves to answer them. But even if He doesn't answer, we should continue to trust and love Him. 

 "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7. 

Soli Deo Gloria