Jesus Must Approve Your Requests | Institute of Love

A frequently (mis)-used Bible verse among charismatic/prosperity Gospel believers is: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKVJ  First of all, the apostle said this in regards to the fact that he learned how to live on almost nothing or with everything and that he learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. (See Philippians 4:12) Therefore, this has nothing to do with what these charismatic/prosperity Gospel believers suggest, which is that you can name and claim whatever you want or desire and Jesus will automatically give it to you! Not so! Yes, we can do all things with the approval of Christ, meaning whatever pleases Him! Peter asked Jesus, who was walking on water, if he also could come to him walking on water. And Jesus said; “Yes, come.” (See Matthew 14:28-29) Yes, with Jesus' approval, Peter was able to walk on water. That's why we don't see a lot of people walking on water every day! It is for this very reason that the Bible says that we can be confident that God hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for. (See 1. John 5:14-15) We always need to remember that it is God who is working in us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him alone and not what pleases us! (See Philippians 2:13)