Reclaiming the Supernatural Power of Words in Reformed Theology

Words are more than mere sounds or symbols—they carry a profound, supernatural weight. The Bible reveals this truth in passages like Romans 1:16, where Paul declares the gospel as “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,” and Romans 10:17, which states, “Faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of God.” These verses point to a divine reality: when the words of Jesus are proclaimed, they produce a supernatural faith that transforms hearts and lives.

Yet, this power is not unique to Christianity in a vacuum. The Bible warns of words used for darker purposes, as seen in the occult practices of sorcery and divination (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Proverbs 18:21 captures this dual nature: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Words can heal or destroy, bless or curse, depending on their source and intent. James 3:5-6 likens the tongue to a fire, capable of setting ablaze a world of unrighteousness or bringing healing through wisdom. This biblical perspective challenges us to see words as more than human constructs—they are conduits of spiritual power, for good or ill.

The Gospel: God’s Divine “Spell”

In the Christian worldview, the gospel is God’s ultimate “spell”—not in the sense of magic, but as a divinely empowered message that brings life. When we proclaim the words of Jesus, they do more than inform; they create faith, protect believers, and even confront spiritual powers. Ephesians 3:7-10 reveals the cosmic scope of this proclamation: as the church declares the “unsearchable riches of Christ,” it makes known God’s manifold wisdom not only to humans but to “rulers and authorities in heavenly places.” The gospel’s words are a force that resonates in both the physical and spiritual realms.

Consider Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4, Luke 4). Satan, quoting Psalm 91, tempts Jesus to misuse His divine power, but Jesus counters with Scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). As the Word incarnate (John 1:1), Jesus wields God’s Word to defeat Satan’s distortions, demonstrating that the gospel’s power lies in its divine source, not human manipulation. This is the essence of the Reformed Fringe vision: trusting in the inherent power of God’s Word to accomplish His purposes.

The Demonic Counterfeit: Words Misused

Sadly, not all who claim the power of words align with God’s truth. The Word of Faith movement, exemplified by figures like Paula White and Benny Hinn, promotes a theology that treats words as magical tools to manifest personal desires—health, wealth, or success. Rooted in 19th-century spiritism and occult practices, this “name it and claim it” approach distorts the gospel, using words to manipulate reality rather than submit to God’s will. As Doug notes, “It’s magic, and magic is wrong.”

The Bible warns against such practices. Isaiah 47:12-13 condemns those who “practice magic spells” and are “misled” by their sorceries, while Galatians 1:8 curses any gospel contrary to Christ’s. Even the prosperity gospel’s allure—promising success and supernatural results—mimics God’s power but enslaves its followers to a false hope.

Historical phenomena, from the bizarre behaviors of the First Great Awakening to modern revivals like the Toronto Blessing, raise questions about demonic influence masquerading as divine power. Jewish tradition, for instance, links the death of giants to demonic entities, and Doug speculates about geographic hotspots like Toronto and northern New York, where occult activity and strange spiritual phenomena seem to converge.

The Church’s Call: Proclaim the True Gospel

The church today faces a crisis: the gospel has become “fringe” in its own right, diluted by legalism, emotional manipulation, or cultural trends. Surveys reveal that many Christians misunderstand the gospel, equating it with self-help mantras like “God helps those who help themselves” or “love your neighbor as yourself.” These are not the gospel. The gospel is the foolish yet powerful message that God, through Jesus Christ, has accomplished salvation—a message that creates life when heard and believed (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

Paul’s response to the chaotic Corinthian church, notorious for its immorality and idolatry, was not to double down on the law but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). The law reveals our failure and points to Christ, but the gospel brings life. In Galatians 3:1, Paul asks, “Who bewitched you?”—using supernatural language to warn against legalism’s demonic deception. Similarly, in Ephesians 4:14, he urges the church to be grounded in the Word to avoid being “tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.”

Living in the Power of the Gospel

In a world increasingly captivated by witchcraft, paganism, and the occult, the church must reclaim the supernatural power of the gospel. This begins with simple obedience: proclaim the Word, sing psalms and hymns, pray for one another, and fellowship around the apostles’ teaching (Ephesians 5:19, Acts 2:42). These practices aren’t mere rituals—they are means of grace through which God’s Word transforms us.

The story of Ezekiel preaching to the dry bones (Ezekiel 37) illustrates this vividly. God commands Ezekiel to speak, and the bones rattle, take on flesh, and live—a miracle driven by the power of God’s Word. Similarly, when Jesus sent His disciples to preach, they returned reporting that demons fled in His name (Luke 10:17). The gospel’s proclamation is a weapon against the kingdom of darkness, requiring no elaborate rituals—just faithful declaration.

A Final Exhortation

As believers, we must trust in the gospel’s power and immerse ourselves in it. Find a church that faithfully preaches Christ, and if you can’t, consider moving or starting one with fellow believers. The gospel isn’t just information—it’s a living force that protects, encourages, and brings life. As Doug says, “I just believe Him.” That simple faith in God’s Word is our greatest weapon in a world of spiritual counterfeits.

Join us in the Reformed Fringe community to continue this conversation. Your engagement—liking, subscribing, and commenting on platforms like YouTube—helps spread this message further, ensuring more people encounter the transformative power of the gospel. Let’s proclaim it boldly, trusting God to work through His Word to change lives and confront darkness.