What we say matters
There is an explicit statement in Proverbs 18:21 that, too often, we take for granted. It states, “The tongue has the power of life and death”. The difficulty with this scripture is that it is literally true. Our problem is that we don’t comprehend that truth in our lives.
We know that it is true for God. Just look at the first chapter in the bible: God said, and it was.
- God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:3.
- God said, “Let there be a firmament; and it was so. Genesis 1:6.
- God said, “Let the waters under the heavens …; and it was so. Genesis 1:9.
- God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass; and it was so. Genesis 1:11.
- God said, “Let there be lights; and it was so. Genesis 1:14.
- God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature; and it was so. Genesis 1:24,
- And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image. Genesis 1:26.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. He had made it all by speaking the word out of His mouth.
We know that it is true for Jesus as well. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, John 1:14. What did He say in John 12:49 ? Only what God gave Him to say.
- Jesus spoke to the wind and the waves, Matthew 8:26;
- He spoke to a sick man, Matthew 8:3;
- He spoke to a demon, Mark 5:8;
- He spoke to a fig tree, Mark 11:14;
- He spoke to a dead man, John 11:43.
The results were the same. What He said was.
Is it then true for us as well? It should be! Jesus said we should do what He did, and more. John 14:12. So why do we struggle with it? Are we not made in His image? Genesis 1:27. Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Acts 19:2. Isn’t He, who is in you, greater than he who is in the world? 1 John 4:4. And will that Spirit not give life to your mortal bodies? Romans 8:11.
What then should come out of your mouth when you speak? Look at what Paul said in Romans 15:18-19. That word is near you, it is in your mouth, and in your heart. Romans 10:6-8. The righteousness, which we have by faith, speaks forth the word of God. When we speak the word of God out of our mouths, we give voice to His word, and that activates His word. Isaiah 55:11.
It defeats most people in life, because they believe and confess the wrong things. They don’t believe that there is authority in giving voice to the word of God. They have spoken the words of the enemy, and those words hold them in bondage. God’s words are full of grace and truth. John 1:14.
God sent out His word to heal and rescue people, Psalm 107:20; it healed them and delivered them from destruction, Jeremiah 30:17. Did He not say, “I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26.
Jesus and the devil are not the same. Look at how the bible compares them, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10. The devil is a liar and the father of lies, John 8:44. We are called to be watchful and resist the devil, 1 Peter 5:8. We are commanded to give no opportunity to the devil, Ephesians 4:27. By this, it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10.
Righteousness, being right in our relationship with God, does not come by being a good person, or by doing what it says in the law; it comes by having faith in God, Romans 4:13
When we have that right level of relationship with God; when we are right-minded and focussed upon His will, and not ours; then, we can do as commanded, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children”. Ephesians 5:1. God will not ask you to do something that He cannot do through you. Jesus imitated God when He walked on this earth. He said to us, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” John 14:12.
When Jesus sent out the twelve, what did He command them to do? He said, “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.” Matthew 10:7. He did not give them a special tool for their utility belt to take with them. This was done by word of mouth. It’s the same story when He sent out the seventy-two. Luke 10. His command was, “First say…”; and then He said, “tell them …”.
God’s word is creative power. It is produced by the heart, formed by the tongue, it is words, released out of the mouth. God’s word is not void of power, it is His people who are void of speech. They speak as the world speaks.
We should not be speaking that way. We are therefore, Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20.
What should we speak then? We should certainly not be speaking out just what we might want to say. In truth we should carefully, diligently and boldly say what God gives us to say. How do we know what that is? Didn’t Jesus tell us, “My sheep hear My voice.” John 10:27.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36.