Photo by Tory Morrison
For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last twenty or so years, Bethel is a megachurch in Redding, California. They started releasing music in 2001 and it took off. Good, bad, or otherwise, they are a major influencer in the Contemporary Christian genre. With too many albums to count, Bethel’s live albums are a force to be reckoned with.
They won two GMA Dove in 2016: one is Worship Song of the Year for their work on No Longer Slaves. The other Instrumental Album of the Year for their album Without Words: Synthesia.
Check out my other Bethel Music reviews!
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Bethel-music-champion-live-lyrics.
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?
Bethel struggles with their unworthiness, that Jesus would grant them eternal life. They cannot earn it because they broke God’s laws. Yet, Christ transformed them from dead in sin to alive in Christ! He is their triumphant victor; their champion. Bethel inherits eternal life; seated in the heavenly places. They also receive authority by Jesus over Satan and to perform miracles.
One minor concern is Bethel Music’s statement that God will “win every battle”. While it’s true that God is victorious over many things, including sin, death, disease, and a host of other things, that doesn’t mean that we won’t struggle. We should expect to experience tribulation and hardship on account of Christ. Yes, He will be there with us, and yes, He will help us wade through the dark shadows of life. On some occasions, He will heal by faith. However, He says “no” to others, which could be seen as a “lost battle” instead of a fight where God chose not to participate. Ditto for “every” wall that crashes.
Score: 9/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All of it is Biblical.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1-4: This speaks to Bethel’s unworthiness to receive victory over death. They deserve eternal separation from God because they broke His laws and commandments (Matthew 18:8, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43, Jude 1:7, Revelation 14:11, and Revelation 20:10 ); However, they more than conquerors in Christ Jesus, obtaining victory (Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14, 1 John 5:4-5, and Revelation 12:10-11).
[Verse 2]
Line 1: If Bethel lived a perfect life, then there would be no need for Jesus (Galatians 2:21). The trouble is, they don’t. Neither do we. As stated in Verse 1, Bethel deserves eternal damnation for lawbreaking. At that state, becoming a transgressor of the law, yes, attempting perfection won’t earn salvation. While I initially criticized Bethel for omitting the possibility of perfection earning righteousness, it connects with Verse 1 to say that perfection could never earn our carrying Christ’s cross. That is true, we could never earn unearned favor from God!
Line 2: See Verse 1.
Lines 3 and 4: Bethel who was dead in sin is made alive in Christ (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).
[Chorus]
Lines 1-4: Bridge identifies Jesus specifically as the victor. In every battle that God engages in, He won’t lose; However, just like Psalm 103:3 doesn’t mean everyone will be healed now, God winning every battle doesn’t mean that God will participate in all fights at the moment. Eventually, us Christians will experience victory, when we are taken into New Jerusalem and will no longer experience pain (Revelation 21:4).
Line 5: That is, victorious. See Verse 1.
Line 6: That is, Jesus gives us faith. It is a work of God (Mark 9:24, John 6:29, Romans 10:17, Ephesians 1:18-20, Philippians 2:13, and Colossians 2:12).
Lines 7-10: Essentially quotes from Ephesians 2:6. Bethel will be in heaven with Jesus, not defeated by death.
[Verse 3]
Lines 1-4: Bethel accepts the truths spoken in Verse 1 and Verse 2.
[Bridge]
Lines 1-6: See commentary on Chorus, lines 1-4.
Line 7 and 8: Repeats lines 3 and 4.
Lines 9-16: Repeats lines 1-8.
[Interlude]
Lines 1-6: That is, there is no more striving required to save ourselves. God gave us the victory through Jesus! Reiterates previous points.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Unbelievers will find it difficult to comprehend this song unless they experience freedom from their deadness in sin. Intellectually, they will probably think it’s Christian given its many references to Jesus, the heavenly places, and miracles.
My concerns about “Win every battle” and “every wall” in section 1 are more pronounced for unbelievers, who may walk away from Jesus when their prayers (battles and walls) aren’t answered in the affirmative (won).
Score: 8/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God that He is Bethel’s victor and they accepted this fact, only veiled by minor concern mentioned in sections 1 and 2.
Score: 9/10
Closing Comments
Bethel Music’s Champion is a good song. It shows Christ as our Victor over our spiritual death while we receive authority over demons and to perform miracles, bringing Him glory. I disagree that all walls are broken in Jesus’ name, when some are not. Unbelievers won’t comprehend it without becoming followers of Jesus.
For those who disagree with me about “every” wall broken, feel free to worship with this song; However, seeker-sensitive churches may want to explain what this means.
Final Score: 9/10
Artist Info
Track: Champion (Live) (listen to the song)
Artist: Bethel Music
Album: Revival’s in the Air
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2020
Duration: 8:46
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
02/08/2022 – Updating review to be consistent with current beliefs on “every”, raising this song’s score from 8.5/10 to 9/10.
06/29/2021 – Added link to other Bethel reviews.
06/11/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Bethel Music’s theology.
03/17/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.
11/24/2020 – Commenter Mark pointed out a huge error in my commentary, that salvation could be earned. While I was attempting to communicate righteousness could technically be earned, it doesn’t make sense of the context of Verse 1, which speaks of carrying Christ’s victory. I also unfairly downgraded section 3. Therefore, I updated my review, raising its overall score from 7/10 to 8.5/10.
Comments
Mark
I’m confused about your comment saying “ I disagree that perfection could never earn salvation (it technically can) ” Are you saying Salvation can be earned??
Vince Wright
Mark,
Thank you for your inquiry!
Upon closer inspection, it seems that, yes, I’ve communicated that salvation could be earned, which is incorrect theology. From a technical standpoint, it is righteousness that could be earned through obeying the law, not salvation. To earn salvation is a contradiction of terms, as salvation is for those who require rescuing. If I’m righteous and never sinned, then Christ died needlessly (Galatians 2:21). There would be no need for salvation.
Of course, as you’re aware, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 5:23). But, the point I was trying to make is that technically speaking, perfection could earn us a victory.
The trouble is, that isn’t what these lyrics say, as I initially thought. It says that perfection could never earn “That You’d choose someone like me to carry Your victory”. This has nothing to do with righteousness! This is about undeserved favor, that we receive the righteousness of Christ. Therefore, I am in error.
I updated my review. Thank you for pointing out my flaw!
-Vince Wright
colten
The Bible does not give Christians the authority to rebuke the devil, but to resist him. James 4:7 says to “submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Also see Jude 1:9. Even Michael, one of the most powerful of the angels, did not dare to accuse Satan, but rather said, “The Lord rebuke you” (Jude 1:9). In response to Satan’s attacks, a Christian should appeal to Christ. Instead of focusing on defeating the devil, we should focus on following Christ (Hebrews 12:2) and trust that He will defeat the forces of evil.
Luke 10:19 says we have the authority to tread upon and over all the powers of evil without being harmed. Not that we have authority and power to personally rebuke Satan.
Linda
Exactly! And this is the only problem I have with this song. But it’s a pretty big one. That said, I love the song. It’s up to each individual to find the truth in scripture, especially when the song leaves out critical points. But that’s what I’ve found.
Isaac
Hi Vince,
I felt that the bridge of the song sounds like something that came from the Word of Faith movement. To suggest that i can shout and let the walls crash down or open my mouth to let miracles happens sounds like saying that our words have more power seems to promote a man centered gospel, were what say into existence can happen, which is unbiblical. But I do agree, with the part that you said that it is misleading to suggest that miracles always happen and all prayers can be answered. I may be wrong, but this is how i understand the song. God bless
mokkery
There’s a chance our church may sing this song soon, and I’ve been so conflicted about it. It’s a beautiful song, lovely melody, love those 6/8 songs, and the lyrics of the verses and choruses are fantastic. I really love most of this song.
It’s just the bridge that irks me. It’s not just the word ‘every’. It’s that it becomes too self-empowering with miracle-working power.
The basis of walls breaking and miracles happening seems to be when *I* lift my voice and when *I* open my mouth. I know they qualify it with the Jesus’s authority, but it seems too secondary in the wording. The sovereignty of God as the definitive and sole worker of miracles seems left out.
Listeners may walk away the message that they have some inherent power to ‘open up their mouths’ and speak miracles into existence—only God can ‘speak-act’ the miraculous. God’s Word has power, ours do not.
And I don’t think this interpretation is unfounded. Bethel does have a rather miracle-centric theology that—for me—emphasises miracles too much. Yes, God works when His kingdom is advanced, but an over-emphasis seeks ‘signs and wonders’ more than God’s other works like the transformation of the heart and the deeds of His saints.
What do you all think? Am I over-reacting? Is there any theologically balanced way to interpret the bridge or even modify it?
Linda
I got the same message from this song. I think you’re on point. Not over-reacting at all.
Charrisse
We sing this at our church a d I feel convicted singing “when I open up my mouth miracles…”
**Edited by Vince Wright, to remove part of the comment that does not address the review specifically.**
Franchesca
We sing this at our church, but we changed the words to say when you open up your mouth miracles…because we were like we cannot sing something that has others confused
Rick
I completely agree. The bridge is the part that when I sing it differently to emphasize God’s power, rather than my own. Miracles don’t happen just because I say they will, if that were the case, then what need would we need from God other than to gain authority from Him? Then God becomes something I use, instead of something I worship. To me, this goes too close to the Word of Faith movement.
Jonathan
I’m with you on this. It seems, to me, that the majority of this song (verses and chorus) are about God (through Christ) being our champion. It is HE who gives us victory. The bridge seems to shift focus to somehow conclude that I am now the one with power and authority. Nothing (of spiritual significance) is obligated to respond because I say it should be so – which is what the bridge strongly implies. Rather, it is GOD, Himself who has ultimate authority to command whatever HE declares.
Keziah
This is my exact problem with this song! The youth group at my church sings this a lot and I see a direct correlation with some of the spiritual arrogance that has been growing in the group.
Jeremy Dean
I see a lot of folks here mentioning that they struggle with bridge saying that when we open our mouths, shout, and praise God that “every wall comes crashing down.” Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.” (Mark 11:23-24) Jesus says here that when we open our mouths in faith, believing in our heart, without doubting, that whatever mountain we’re speaking to will be cast into the sea. Proverbs 18:21 also says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.” When we speak something out and believe it, the Word of God says that there’s great power in that. That’s how we got saved according to Romans 10:9-10. We believed in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessed with our mouth that He is Lord, and this resulted in our Salvation. James 3:1-12 talks in depth about the power of the tongue as well. From what I see all over Scripture, there’s abundant evidence that what we say mixed with the belief of our heart does in fact greatly effect our lives and circumstances that we face. I mean, if the power of death and life is in our mouths, that’s pretty important.
In response to what has been said about it being unBiblical to sing “every”: 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place” It doesn’t say that God sometimes leads us in triumph. It doesn’t say that He might lead us in triumph. The Lord said that He ALWAYS leads us in triumph. All the promises of God are yes and amen through Jesus not sometimes and maybe. (2 Cor. 1:20) If it’s promised to us in the Wors then it’s ours and we can expect that. God promised to always lead us in victory. The Word of God is the will of God. If He said it then He’ll be faithful to do it. I believe this is great evidence that when we speak in faith in Jesus’ name that every wall comes crashing down because Jesus said this will happen when we speak in faith and He said He would always lead us in victory. We’re not standing in our own authority, we’re standing in His that He gave to us as shown here in Scripture.
Vince Wright
Jeremy,
Thank you for your comments!
I agree that He always leads up to triumph. However, that doesn’t always mean healing. Sometimes triumph happens when we continually endure, much like this pastor born with no arms and legs. That wall hasn’t come down in Nick Vujicic’s life.
-Vince Wright
Ryan
I love everyone in this conversation. I feel that: “when I open up my mouth miracles start breaking out” can be taken lots of ways. How about as simply as every breath being a miracle? Can I get an amen? 🙂
That said, that’s clearly not the context this song leads to. This is the “move mountains” context. Mark 11 says at the very end of that line “it will be done for him.” I don’t want to relegate King Jesus to the likes of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. I personally don’t want to speak of vague and questionable “miracles” and I definitely don’t want to distract or be a stumbling block. This teaching needs context and care, and imo should be taught, not broadcast with a catchy tune. If there is even a possibility that we could cause someone to stumble we should be very wary. The words are NOT exact scripture. I do understand the basis for them, and if my children were all theologians I’d not be concerned for them. If the interpretation does not accompany the tongue, “the speaker should keep quiet.” That’s my conviction, with all due respect to different ones.
Bless you all, whatever God put on your heart!
Jesse
Please check out this video – https://youtu.be/9F0pnuaoo_A
It brings a fairly good pint to one of the verses in this song.
Nathan S
Agreed. Based off of Bethel teaching the “little gods” doctrine, the bridge takes on a whole new meaning.
Jason
I must agree with what some others are saying. This song supports the very UNBIBLICAL teaching that ‘things happen through the power of MY words.’
Read the lyrics yourself:
When I lift my voice and shout
Every wall comes crashing down
I have the authority
Jesus has given me
When I open up my mouth
Miracles start breaking out
I have the authority
Jesus has given me
While some parts of the song do fit into scripture, if the song in its entirety isn’t founded in scripture then it’s a false teaching… you wouldn’t go to a church that says. “Trust in Jesus for your salvation.” But in the next sentence says “speak your beliefs into existence.” This is clearly a false song 0/10
Peter
I liked the song a lot until it started about Having the Authority and “When I open up my mouth, miracles start pouring out, I have the authority”
Jesus gave the 12 apostles that Authority Matthew 10:1. Jesus said that HE has the authority Matthew 28:18. As for miracles in my mouth… where is that coming from?
This song makes me uncomfortable.
Brittany S Staehler
I have recently been called to review the lyrics for this song! A certain group of “Christian’s” bashed this mega church, the singers, the lyrics …. Basically called others to see their point and “boycott” them too bc they claim the lyrics that state “when i lift my voice up…when I open my mouth”… they claim the lyrics claim we do not have the authority for miracles or the break down walls … I’ve given my opinion already to them …. Which brings me to your site about this song! Thank you for the lyric breakdown vs. scripture. I’d like to add that God DOES break EVERY wall & does have FULL VICTORY … this is why: Because “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 … He never promised his victory was every prayer answered or every person healed or death doesn’t come to some innocent baby …. He said that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD .. according to HIS PURPOSE” … Our “losses or non-victories” are our interpretation of the situations results … not God’s purpose or plan … we have NO way of knowing exactly what that is!! We have to just TRUST HIM …. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Thank you for the rest of your lyric breakdown though! God bless!!
Philip
Has anyone seen Allen Parr’s critique of this piece? He says that a portion of the bridge gets close to the word of faith theology.