Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Arthur Clocksin

To the Editor:

In his December 31 letter to The Standard, Dick Kistler quotes a number of Bible verses that talk about the power of the words we speak.

I do believe in the power of positive confession when it comes to spiritual matters. For example, some say when they feel they are getting sick, “I just know I am catching something.” It is far better for one to say, “I don’t feel well now but I am trusting God that I do not catch a sickness.” I also believe, as does Mr. Kistler, that as a general rule our creator God wants us to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Otherwise, could we even imagine that God would want us to be sick, poor, and stupid?

The Bible verses that Mr. Kistler quotes are all very applicable in showing us the power of our words. The verse in Mark 11:23, for example, talks about our faith and our words having the power to move mountains. I believe this verse is true, but the sticky part is how do we apply it to our present situation? What if we have cancer? What if our marriage partner of many years suddenly gets dementia or Alzheimer’s disease? I ask these things not to disprove Mr. Kistler’s doctrine, but to present some very serious and knotty questions.

Mr. Kistler states, “ ... if you declare (out loud) that you and every one you love will always be healthy and wealthy and wise, etc. and believe ... you will have it.” The Bible verses quoted seem to support his view, but there are other verses that hold up a different view. The apostle Paul, a man who witnessed many supernatural miracles, had to admit that God did not remove his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 2:7-9), and Paul may have fervently prayed for healing for his friend Trophimus, (2 Timothy 4:20), but he had to admit, “I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.”

Some Christians may believe in what can be called “name it, claim it” theology, but others feel uncomfortable with this view. I believe we need to acknowledge our present realities and then ask God, “Where do I go from here?”

As I look forward to a new year, I trust God and believe for His blessing in every area of my life, but if life should throw some nasty curve ball at me, I pray that I would be able to face it head-on, and not see it as a result of my own lack of faith or lack of positive confession.

Arthur Clocksin
Waukon