Lord’s Library editors offer this brief name it and claim it movement meaning from the Scriptures to critique whether it is Biblical.
Often intertwined with the broader word of faith movement, name it and claim it promotes a concept that believers can “claim” prosperity, health, or personal success simply by speaking it into existence. This false theology asserts that verbal declarations can directly influence one’s reality, an idea that, while seemingly empowering, is flawed when examined against the backdrop of core Biblical teachings on salvation by grace through faith.
Central to this movement is the use of passages similar to Mark 11:24, where Jesus says: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Proponents of “name It and claim it” interpret this to mean that any desire can be manifested through what they see as faith-filled declarations. However, this interpretation is a gross simplification and takes the verse out of its broader context in Scripture, which shows the alignment of our will with God’s Will, as Jesus foretells in the Lord’s Prayer. See Matthew 6:10: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Name It And Claim It Meaning
The name-it-and-claimers also frequently misapply passages like Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” They use it to suggest that they can control life outcomes through their words alone. This selective reading ignores the Scripture on humility, reliance on God’s grace, and the sovereignty of God over all aspects of life.
James 4:13-15 offers a clear counterpoint: “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
, reminding believers of the folly of boasting about tomorrow without acknowledging that life itself is subject to God’s will, not our declarations.
Moreover, the theological foundation of “Name It and Claim It” starkly contrasts with the essential Christian doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, as articulated in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” This passage highlights that salvation—and by extension, all gifts from God—cannot be earned or spoken into existence but are given purely by God’s grace. The movement’s focus on human ability to manifest reality through speech not only undermines the necessity of grace but also the very nature of faith as trust in God rather than in one’s own words.
The Biblical narrative includes numerous instances where the outcomes believers face, including suffering and hardship, serve greater purposes in God’s plan, teaching reliance on Him rather than on personal desires. Paul’s experience with the “thorn in his flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) is a testament to this, as God’s response to his pleas for relief was not removal of the thorn, but a reminder that “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” This directly challenges the “Name It and Claim It” doctrine that suggests faith can always alter circumstances to our liking.
In conclusion, the “Name It and Claim It” movement presents a misunderstanding of the power of speech and faith, misrepresenting core Biblical principles of God’s sovereignty, the nature of prayer, and the doctrine of salvation. True Christian faith acknowledges that while prayer changes things, it is ultimately God’s will that prevails, and our faith should be placed not in the power of our words but in the grace and sovereignty of God who works all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). This faith rests not on the ability to claim every personal desire but on the assurance of God’s provision and sufficiency in every aspect of life, culminating in the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Lord's Library is a Christian resource hub. Our editors use a variety of internet research methods like search engines, audio and video, AI, consultations with ministry leaders in the field, and more. Lord's Library should never be a substitute for reading your Bible daily as the Scriptures are to be our final authority on all matters. Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
- Prosperity Gospel Meaning in the Scriptures: Is it Biblical? - April 7, 2025
- Word of Faith Movement Defined: Is it Biblical? - April 7, 2025
- Name It and Claim It Movement Meaning: Is it Biblical? - April 7, 2025
