Lakewood Church (Feat. Israel Houghton) – We Speak to Nations

Lakewood Church, much like Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation Worship, is a band that emerged from a large congregation.  It also happens to be home to motivational speaker and pastor Joel Olsteen, son of founders John and Dolores Olsteen.  Beginning in 2002, they released several albums under the names Lakewood Church and Lakewood Music.

The closest lyrics I could find to this Lakewood Church original is Israel Houghton’s version on Genius.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.  I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Lakewood Church sees many nations in anguish, asking who will tell them about Jesus.  They answer: “We will go, send us Lord”!  They will tell the nations to be open to the Gospel, bow before Him, that the Kingdom of God is near, that their bondage will be removed, and demonic forces will go away, freeing them from darkness’ grip.  In response, the nations comply, praising God and singing songs to glorify Him.

There is much potential for Word of Faith throughout Chorus.  Yes, we could conclude that it’s about asking the nations to repent and for God and His power to intervene, trusting God with the results.  However, it’s also possible that Lakewood Church expresses faith that 100% assures results.

Side Note: To those sensitive to massive repetition, the song’s second half repeats Chorus and the phrase “Be Free” several times.

Score: 5/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Chorus has two basic interpretations: request for God’s action or Word of Faith that compels it.  The former is Biblical.  The latter is not.  Aside from this glaring issue, the rest of the song is Scriptural.

Israel Houghton’s version only contains a Chorus section and is missing a few bits and pieces from the live version that adds nothing substantial that’s worth examining, with one possible exception.

[Stanza 1]

Lines 1-4: The sound of nations is pain and suffering.  Some are without their earthly father.  All who are without Jesus lack our Heavenly Father.

Lines 5-8: Lakewood Church asks an important question: Who will go and tell these hurting people that Christ is King (Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11:10, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1-6, John 12:15, John 18:37, 1 Timothy 6:13-16, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:11-16)?

[Chorus]

Line 1: Lakewood Church answers similarly to Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8: “Here am I, send me”.

Line 2: There are two ways to interpret this, alongside other similar lines.  Either we ask nations to be open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or our speaking will compel the nations to be opened.  The first interpretation is a request.  The second is Word of Faith, that our words spoken in faith will automatically cause nations to open up.

Line 3: Repeats line 1.

Line 4: Again there are two interpretations.  One: we also ask nations to prostrate themselves before God (1 Kings 8:54, 2 Chronicles 6:13, Ezra 9:5, Psalm 95:6, Isaiah 45:23, Daniel 6:10, Luke 22:41, Acts 7:60, Acts 21:5, Ephesians 3:14-19, and Philippians 2:10-11).  Two: our words spoken in faith guarantee that their knees will bow.

Line 5: Repeats line 1.

Line 6: That is, the Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:35, Matthew 24:14, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:43, Luke 16:16, Acts 14:21-22, Acts 20:24-25, and 1 Corinthians 15:1-28).

Lines 7 and 8: As previously stated, strongholds broken is our request or or Word of Faith warrants it.

Lines 9 and 10: Later iterations of Chorus add the pretext “In the name of Jesus” to qualify this statement, which does not appear in the linked Israel Houghton lyrics.

As before, this has two explanations First, Jesus’ name is a representation of Jesus Himself, whose light can squash darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).  Second, invoking His name in faith results in darkness fleeing.  That is not always the case.  In Acts 19:13-16, a group of Jewish exorcists attempted to invoke the name of Jesus to remove demons.  It kinda worked as the demons left these men.  But, the demons overtook and overpowered them, causing them to flee.

Line 11: Repeats line 1.

Line 12: Repeats line 6.

Lines 13 and 14: Once again, this could either be a request or Word of Faith demand.  Regardless, there is freedom in Christ (Psalm 119:45, Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 61:1, John 3:16-21, John 8:31-36, John 10:10, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 6:1-23, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 8:20-21, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 7:21-23, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13, Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 2:14-15, and 1 Peter 2:16).

[Stanza 2]

Lines 1-4: In contrast to Stanza 1, lines 1-4, the nations worship Christ (Matthew 2:11, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 28:8-9, Matthew 28:16-17, Luke 24:50-53, John 12:13, and John 20:28).  Lakewood Worship is not saying all people in all nations worship.

Lines 5-7: Contrasts Stanza 1, lines 5-8.  See commentary in Chorus, line 1.

Score: 6/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Stanza 1’s closing phrase “Christ is King”, alongside the addendums to Chorus in later iterations that mention Jesus’ name, pushes unbelievers towards Christianity.  Lakewood Church relies more heavily on Christianese language, with unbelievers possibly scratching their heads about this “Kingdom” that Lakewood Church speaks of.  They should easily conclude that the nations are hurting, Lakewood Church preaches to them, and the nations start worshipping God.

It’s hard to ignore how unbelievers will respond to Chorus, that if they interpret it as Word of Faith, they will be led astray into thinking that faith guarantees answered prayer.

Score: 2/10

4. What does this song glorify?

While this song glorifies God when it calls us to action, that we should tell others about Jesus, its potential to lead others down the false Word of Faith doctrine is unfortunate.

Score: 5/10

Closing Comments

Lakewood Church’s We Speak to Nations is a mixed bag.  While believers and unbelievers alike will see hurting people taught about Jesus, resulting in conversion and worship, it potentially teaches others that words spoken in faith compel God to act, leading others towards unbiblical teaching.

I cannot recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 5/10

Artist Info

Track: We Speak to Nations (listen to the song)

Artist: Lakewood Church

Album: We Speak to Nations

Genre: Gospel

Release Year: 2002

Duration: 9:28

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