Believer's Voice of Victory Audio Podcast

Episode: Words Are Spiritual Containers (10/03/2025)

Host: Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Speakers: Kenneth Copeland, Craig Stevens

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kenneth Copeland and Craig Stevens explore the biblical principle that words are spiritual containers. Drawing on scripture, personal stories, and teachings from faith leaders like Brother Hagin, they emphasize the profound, lasting effect our words and attitudes have—not just for communication, but as carriers of spiritual reality. Through testimonies and scriptural analysis, they reveal how words can create, heal, or harm and how believers can wield them in faith to live victoriously.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Power of Words

• Words as Containers, Not Just Communication

  • Kenneth underscores that most people assume words are only for communication, but biblically, they carry spiritual substance (00:45).
    • “99% of the human race thinks [words are] for communication only. They're not. All words contain something. They are spiritual containers.” — Kenneth Copeland (02:45)
  • Words can bless or destroy: Hate-filled words are compared to “arrows” or today’s “bullets”; once released, they can never be taken back, and their effects may be devastating (03:33; 04:11).

• The Jewish Concept of Lashon Hara

  • Craig introduces the Hebrew term lashon hara (“evil tongue”), emphasizing how even true but harmful statements can irreparably damage reputations (03:33).
  • Example: The story of Benedict Arnold—how one’s entire memory can be shaped by repeated negative words.

• Defending People and Implication through Words

  • Even in defense, our words can subtly imply accusation (“I don’t care what you say about Mike, I know this about him”) and that still carries unintended consequences (04:32).
  • Body language (like rolling eyes) can communicate as much as words do.

Faith, Confession, and Personal Testimonies

• Hearing and Speaking Jesus' Words

  • Craig shares his discipline of reading only the “red-letter” words of Jesus aloud for over a year so he could know “what He sounded like” (02:02 - 02:35).
    • “I needed to know what He sounded like.” — Craig Stevens (02:19)

• Mark 11 and The Principle of Faith

  • Kenneth reviews Mark 11:20–24, affirming the importance of believing in your heart and speaking with your mouth (06:17).
    • The mechanism of salvation and answered prayer operates through the union of belief and spoken confession.
    • “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain... and shall not doubt in his heart... he shall have whatsoever he says.” — Kenneth Copeland quoting Mark 11:23 (07:00)

• The Role of Forgiveness

  • The necessity of forgiveness is highlighted as integral to faith’s working (07:34).

• Testimonies of Healing and Faith

  • Healing Story: Kenneth recounts praying for a woman with cancer; her healing was confirmed, but ultimately, she chose to go home to be with Jesus, demonstrating both the power and limits of faith-filled confession (08:57).
  • The Jaws of Death: Craig asks if people can “hold on” in fear while praying for loved ones, rather than releasing them in faith. Kenneth discusses Brother Hagin’s teaching on “the jaws of death,” where spiritual laws set by words can make some outcomes irreversible (11:28 - 13:55).
    • Example: A man who consistently claimed, “I’ll never live to be 40,” died just before his 40th birthday because he had set that law in motion by his repeated confession.

Guarding Thoughts and Beliefs

• Negative Self-Programming

  • Kenneth shares his own experience with fleeting negative thoughts (“I’d never live to be 50”) and stresses that while you can’t prevent thoughts from coming, you can keep from speaking and empowering them (14:00 - 14:50).

• Faith in Action in Ministry Contexts

  • Story from Jamaica: Kenneth describes casting a spirit of oppression from a woman who was devastated by judgmental religious words concerning her appearance, showing how harsh words can lead to oppression and possession (15:00 - 19:39).
    • “She thought about it... until she yielded to that spirit so badly she could no longer hold down a job.” — Kenneth Copeland (19:09)

The Importance of Releasing Loved Ones

• Praying in Fear vs. Faith
  • Kenneth cautions against desperate, fear-based prayers ("God, don’t let them die!"), stressing the need for calm, faith-filled surrender and trust in God (19:44 - 20:23).
    • “Just because you’re afraid to die, don’t let them die”— pointing out that fear-based prayers are ineffective.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “All words contain something. They are spiritual containers.... Once you speak out a hateful word ... you can destroy somebody’s life with it.” — Kenneth Copeland (02:45)
• "It's called the evil tongue in Hebrew, Lashon hara... Even a true statement said about somebody that causes harm, brings down their reputation—can't get it back." — Craig Stevens (03:33)
• “My dad used to tell me, Kenneth, that bullet doesn’t have any brains. You better have some.” — Kenneth Copeland (04:11)
• “If you roll your eyes...” — Craig Stevens on nonverbal communication as confession (04:32)
• “She said, mama, get me out of this chair, I'm healed.” — Kenneth Copeland’s healing testimony (05:51)
• “You can’t stop it [a negative thought or fear] from coming to your mind. ... But if we say it, begin to speak it, we give it power.” — Craig Stevens (14:42)
• “The Lord sent me here to tell you Jesus loves you.” — Kenneth Copeland, ministering deliverance in Jamaica (18:50)
• “Somebody standing a little bit... crying out, ‘God, don’t let them die!’ ... That’s none of your business. Fearfully crying out to God... No, you go before the Lord and you calm down and you roll all your care over on Him.” — Kenneth Copeland (19:44 – 20:23)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:45–04:11 — The power of words: spiritual containers, “Lashon hara,” and the lasting consequence of harmful speech
• 05:06–06:12 — Testimony: Paralyzed girl healed by faith and demonstration
• 06:17–07:34 — Teaching: Mark 11 and the mechanics of faith and confession
• 08:57–10:53 — Testimony: Healing and the sovereignty of God’s plan
• 11:14–14:50 — Teaching: Faith vs. fear when believing for others; “the jaws of death” and spiritual laws set in motion; how repeated negative confession shapes outcomes
• 15:00–19:39 — Story: Deliverance in Jamaica and the destructive effect of judgmental religion; how thoughts and words can lead to oppression
• 19:44–20:23 — Exhortation: Praying in fear vs. faith for loved ones’ lives and well-being

Episodic Tone & Takeaways

The episode balances powerful biblical teaching with heartfelt stories, practical illustrations, and a warm, conversational style. Kenneth and Craig urge listeners to recognize the creative and destructive power of their words, to speak in faith, and to trust God fully—especially in times of crisis. They emphasize practical steps to align one’s speech and conduct with faith rather than fear and highlight the importance of loving, gracious words and releasing people into God’s care.

Summary by [AI Podcast Summarizer] - faithful to original language and tone; for more teachings and resources, visit kcm.org.