The Importance of Proclamations

I had completed my transaction at my local bank and just as my son and I were about to step out of the building the elderly lady who served me at the counter asked my son, "would you like a sticker?" Characteristic of most 5-year old children, my son quickly responded, "yes". To my utter dismay, the lady further asked him, "which one do you prefer, anger, fear or..." I quickly responded, "please I want neither anger nor fear for him." The incident, which may seem to have occurred out of sheer ignorance on the part of the elderly lady, was quite upsetting and it also gave me a reason to pen this piece on the importance of the words that we proclaim over our lives and how negative proclamations can set one's life on the path of destruction.

Beloved in the Lord, what are you proclaiming over your life? Recently, I had the chance to listen to a preacher who mentioned that "your current life is a result of your past proclamations over your life" and I couldn't agree more. As Christ-followers, it is of critical importance to reflect upon the words we proclaim, bearing in mind that proclamations can either make or unmake you. If you, like me, would love to see positive changes in your life then you must watch what you are proclaiming over your life starting from now.

To begin, I would like to use the parable of the sower told by the Lord Jesus Christ to illustrate how our proclamations may be likened to a seed. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a seed as "the beginning of something which continues to develop and grow." From Matthew 13 we read:

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Mat 13:3-9 KJV) 

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Mat 13:18-23 KJV)

From the parable of the sower, we recognize that the word is a seed with life in it. Elsewhere, Jesus pointed out that the word is life: "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63b KJV). So in effect, words are seeds with life in them. Bear in mind that seeds, by their nature, are living organisms held in a state of suspended animation and dormancy. Given the right environment, a seed begins to germinate and emerge from the hard coating once planted. The genetic makeup of a seed ensures that it grows to produce fruits of its own kind. Beloved in the Lord, just as you cannot grow a corn kernel and expect to reap palm fruits, neither can you make negative proclamations over your own life and expect to reap God's blessings in your life. We need not forget that the Lord God Almighty spoke this world into existence, a clear indication of the power of the proclaimed word. In the earlier story I shared, the elderly lady probably expected my son to vocalize his preference for any of the suggested stickers she had offered to him and that would have amounted to the sowing of the seed of anger or fear.

What are you speaking over your life? Are you satisfied with your present life? The following scriptures provide the biblical truths related to proclamations:

"Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:" (Num 14:28 KJV)

 "A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence." (Pro 13:2 KJV)

"The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook..... A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." (Pro 18:4,7 KJV)

"A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. " (Pro 18:21 KJV)

In Psalm 141:3, David prayed:

"Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." (Psa 141:3 KJV)

Dear Christian friend, would you commit to keep a watch over your mouth and let your words align with what God is speaking about you? If our own words can have powerful effects on our lives how much more the spoken word of God? In my own Christian walk, I have often met people who are so negative in terms of their perspective on life. It is so common to come across people whose anthems go like this:

"I am not sure if I can ever overcome this problem"

"I think this is my lot in life, my family had a history of cancer so I am sure I will end up with it too"

"As for me I don't think I can ever break off from this addiction"

"I have always had migraine and I will live with it for the rest of my life."

"Children this age are stubborn so that explains my child's behavior" 

By making these proclamations, know for sure that you have not only given the problem life but also a permanent address, that is, for the problem to stay with you always and so the cycle continues and the problem carries on from generation to generation. Beloved, God has made provision in His word for every situation or problem we encounter in this life. If you have a history of cancer in your family, ask yourself, what does the bible say about your health? And if you are suffering lack in your finances or wisdom etc., what does God's word say about the situation? Are you guided in life solely by your history or by the word of God? It is up to you to choose to break the cycle that confronts you. Note that the enemy wishes that you make negative, which I will also call "false", proclamations over your life and the intent is to destroy you. Recall what Jesus said when the Spirit led him to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Mat 4:4 KJV)

As a child of the Most High God, your life is governed by the word of God. I could go on and on and on but the key point is for you to stop planting seeds of destruction over your life and instead plant seeds of the abundant life Jesus promised:

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b KJV)

It is time for the true believer in Christ to come into agreement with God on what He promises in His word and may the Holy Spirit empower you as you come to this realization. Now, just as the growth of a seed depends on how it is tended, in the same way, you need to be consistent with your positive proclamations even when there are no immediate manifestations of those truths. Beloved in the Lord, develop the habit of speaking the word of God daily as well as in the face of adversity. 

One thing I have learnt is to personalize the word of God and show my faith by being thankful to God that He will honor His word and do them. Below, I share some proclamations that you can make over your life daily:

Proclamations for sanctification: 

And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. (Exo 30:29 KJV)

And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. (Lev 20:8 KJV)

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (Joh 17:17 KJV)

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th 5:23 KJV)

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20 KJV)

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Heb 10:14 KJV)

Proclamations for good health:

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (Psa 103:2-3 KJV)

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. (Exo 15:26 KJV) 

And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
(Exo 23:25 KJV)

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(Isa 53:5 KJV)

Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. (Jer 33:6 KJV)

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1Pe 2:24 KJV)

Proclamations against premature death:

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. (Psa 118:17 KJV)

He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the escape from death. (Psa 68:20 KJ 2000) 

There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. (Exo 23:26 KJV)

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; (Psa 102:19-20 KJV)

I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. (Psa 102:24 KJV)

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (Psa 91:16 KJV)

Proclamations for the fruit of the womb and childbirth:

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Gen 1:28 KJV)

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. (Gen 9:1 KJV)

There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. (Exo 23:26 KJV)

Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle. (Deu 7:14 KJV)

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: (1Sa 1:27 KJV)

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psa 84:11 KJV)

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. (Psa 113:9 KJV)

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. (Psa 127:3-5 KJV)

Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. (Isa 66:9 KJV)

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. (Psa 128:3-5 KJV)

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (Mal 3:11 KJV)

And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. (Exo 1:19 KJV)

Proclamations over our children:  

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. (Isa 49:24-25 KJV)

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. (Psa 112:2 KJV)

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. (Psa 37:26 KJV)

The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Psa 138:8 KJV)

Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. (Dan 1:4 KJV)

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1Jn 4:4 KJV) 

There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. (Isa 65:20 KJV)

Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: (Psa 144:11-12 KJV)

Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. (Pro 11:21 KJV)

And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. (Isa 54:13-14 KJV)

They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. (Isa 65:23 KJV)

Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. (Jer 30:20 KJV)

These are not exhaustive. My prayer is that as you make the study of God's word a priority, God Himself will open your eyes to biblical truths that can help you to lead the abundant life you deserve as a child of the Most High God in fulfilling His purpose for your life.

Stay Blest!