A popular heresy among charismatic false teachers is little-god theology, or the belief that we as humans carry within us the potential to become God, or divine like God. This is not only a heresy found among charismatics, however, it is the underlying teaching of Mormonism–that our future as believers are to partake in the divinity of God and become gods ourselves.

Adherents of this false teaching also believe that they have the power to speak what they will into existence, just like God. They believe they have the power to command storms to halt in place, they have the power to cure widespread diseases, and they have the power to stop temporal sufferings and poverty, just by the power of their “positive confession.” And, of course, this includes healing the sick.

Todd White, Todd Bentley, and recently, Francis Chan have told countless stories about how they’ve healed sick people, cured chronic and mortal diseases, and even raised people from the dead. Interestingly, however, there has never once been any unassailable proof of their claims. Neither has there been any proof of these other outlandish claims.

But a growing trend within charismatic circles is the performance of these so-called “faith-healings” on animals and even plants. Here, pastor Jonathan Morgan of Cornerstone Church in North Carolina tells his audience that he spoke to his tree in his front yard, commanded it to be healed, and it obeyed. He then says that the reason it worked is because God gave him the power to speak such things into existence.

In reality, Morgan is twisting Mark 11:23 which says: “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” Now, Word of Faith proponents twist this passage, pushing the “name it and claim it” heresy, insisting that believers can manipulate reality simply through faith-filled declarations. This interpretation is glaringly false.

The biblical understanding of this passage underlines the unparalleled power of faith and prayer, particularly when it is rooted in God’s will, rather than the self-serving power to dictate specific material outcomes or health conditions. This passage clearly implores us to ground our belief in God’s power to overcome metaphorical ‘mountains’ always within the framework of His sovereign will, not our selfish desires.