Written by Andrew Ngaditono
Philippians 2:9-11 – “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Isaiah 61:1 (Prophecy fulfilled in Jesus – Luke 4:18) – “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
These verses come to mind when listening to the song “I Speak Jesus”, written and sung by the group Here Be Lions in their 2019 album of the same name.
“I Speak Jesus” is a powerful song that exalts the name of Jesus as a source of hope, healing, and breakthrough. The lyrics boldly proclaim his name over struggles such as fear, anxiety, depression and spiritual battles – declaring that his name brings light into darkness. Especially in a world that often uses Jesus’ name carelessly, this song pushes back, declaring instead that his name carries power and is worthy of honour. It’s also a song of evangelism, calling believers to speak the name of Jesus over their families, communities and every circumstance.
In CCC we have a rigorous process of considering new worship songs – and after much thought, deliberation, and prayer, we (Craig, Leanne, and I), as leaders of the wider sung worship team, decided to make some adjustments to the lyrics, particularly the first lines in the verses. These revisions preserve the heart of the song, which highlights the power in the name of Jesus, while addressing some concerns regarding wording and theological clarity.
Here are the key considerations that led to these revisions:
Colloquial language in worship
The phrase “I just wanna speak…”, while heartfelt, may feel too casual for corporate worship. While some might interpret it as expressing intimacy and sincerity, others in our congregation may find it too informal. To ensure accessibility and reverence, we have adjusted it to “Oh, I want to speak…” This preserves the heart of the phrase while making it more suitable for a broader audience.
Concerns about “Positive Confession” theology
Some of the original lyrics could be interpreted as aligning with “positive confession” theology – the belief that simply speaking something in faith compels God to act. While this may not have been the songwriters’ intent, we want to ensure our lyrics communicate sound doctrine clearly.
A key example is the first two lines of verse two:
“I just wanna speak the name of Jesus, till every dark addiction starts to break.”
Read through the lens of positive confession, this could suggest that our words alone manifest change, rather than God’s power at work. To avoid any theological ambiguity, we have revised this line to:
“There is power in the name of Jesus; every dark addiction starts to break.”
This keeps the focus on Christ and His power, rather than any human effort or spoken declaration.
For further discussion on this topic, you may find these articles helpful:
https://www.wordmademusic.com/p/shouldwespeakthenameofjesus
Building toward a collective cry of faith
The third verse has been modified to:
“There’s power when we speak the name of Jesus.”
This change reinforces the theme established in the previous verses and culminates in a unified declaration of faith as a congregation.
We deeply appreciate this song for its powerful message and singability, and these refinements ensure that it aligns with sound doctrine. As we launch our new series in 1 Corinthians, we will explore the challenges and dynamics that come with diversity within the early church in Corinth. We hope this song serves as a reminder that our unity is rooted in our shared faith in Jesus Christ. As we lift our voices to sing, let us declare with confidence that there is no greater name than Jesus. In Christ alone, we find freedom, peace, and victory.