We have had the privilege of attending Word Bible College classes while serving with ZOE’s future leaders here in Costa Rica. I want to share with you one of the lessons that really spoke to me, this particular one was on the power of words….
Just like God created the earth and formed our being using words our words are powerful too because we were created in His image—our words were created to bring life. However, with the fall came the perversion of words.
John 8:44 talks about how when the devil lies it is his native tongue and that he is the father of lies. We must first be careful in discerning the devil’s words and God’s words because the devil is very cunning. I am not just talking about the time Jesus was tested in the wilderness and the devil was twisting words to try to get Jesus to fall; but also, the more subtle times when the devil might use our closest friends, like when he tried to use Peter and Jesus realized what was really going on and he had to say “Get behind me satan.” We have been given the word of God and the Holy Spirit to help discern the words we are hearing, let’s not be easily fooled by that liar.
It is a good thing that even though man-kind sinned and words were perverted, we get the power of words back in Christ.
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” John 6:63
“From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20-21
Did you catch that last verse? The tongue has the power of life and death? Do we take that seriously? I don’t think I have, and yet I will have to give an account for every idle word. I better start taking the things that come out of my mouth more seriously. My words, and yours, have the power of LIFE, we should be creating, blessing, encouraging, and praying boldly.
Check out James 3:1-10….
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
That little slimy thing residing in your mouth is pow-er-ful! Our words should be in line with His word, not with our circumstances, we can’t let that little thing drive us. We can’t allow praise and cursing to flow from the same mouth, that is just disgusting.
I know I used to be proud for just stopping myself before the negative words came out of my mouth or before I snapped on someone, but even then, I still want to get to the point where my mind and heart are so consecrated to God that I don’t even go there. Is it possible?
What is in our hearts will come out of our mouths so we must make sure we are putting in our mind what we want to be in our heart. If we fill our mind and heart with the living and active word of God, then alive, powerful, forgiving, and graceful words will come out of our mouth. I don’t know about you, but that is what I want. I want my words to hold weight, to breathe life; I want heaven to back me when I speak.
Meditate on scripture, on God’s faithfulness, and be the governor of your words! Jesus only spoke what he heard His Father say. (John 12:49-50). Ask God for more knowledge and understanding about the power of your words. Let’s agree to bless and prophecy and encourage and teach with the word of God always on our minds and hearts. Speak faith, peace, life, and victory.
I just read this verse today and really liked it. Thought it might help wrap things up “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful,” Joshua 1:8. Maybe keep your bible by your pillow? 😉
xoxo
