The Holy Scriptures tells us in John 1:1-3 that, in the beginning, creation was brought forth with the ‘Word’. GOD spoke into existence the Heavens, the Earth and everything in it. In Genesis 1:26-27,” Then GOD said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness! Let them rule over the fish of the sea, over the flying creatures of the sky, over the livestock, over the whole earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the land.” GOD created humankind in His image, in the image of GOD He created him, male and female HE created them. Brothers and Sisters, we have power in our words so is very important choosing words wisely. With our tongues we either speak; life or death, victory or defeat, weakness or strength, insecurity or confidence and trust or doubt. Your words can teach, encourage and uplift. They can also discourage, reject and demean, express gratitude, love, and joy, express selfishness, hate and despondency. Whatever you say, you should be prepared to eat the fruit of your words as the book of Proverbs tells us in verses 18:21. Our LORD of Armies, Jesus Christ of Nazareth [Yeshua] has also warned us in Matthew 12:36-37 that, ”But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment, men will give account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” The words we speak has a long-lasting impact directly connected to our present and future circumstances. The Bible reveals several accounts regarding individuals either watching their mouths or carelessly using words. In both cases we are shown the effect of the tongue’s power. In Genesis 37, Joseph did not ‘control his tongue’ and his own brothers hated him more not only because of his dreams but because of his words; they plotted to kill him, but later sold him into slavery. ‘If the enemy doesn’t know your plans, he cannot attack you’. You’d be surprised how your words and the words of people around you including parents in the past are affecting you today.
Our aim is to ask for the Grace of God, so we know what to say about our situations and not what our inconsistent emotions want us to declare. God is aware of your heart, intentions and words. Psalm 139:4 tells us that, Adonai [God] knows all about what you are going to say before you even say it. Our hearts and mouths are closely interconnected and require constant inspection to ensure acceptability in God’s sight. Yeshua said, during the sermon on the plain in Luke 6:45 that, “Out of the good treasure of his heart the good man brings forth good, and out of evil the evil man brings forth evil. For from the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks.” In the Bible, we read about when Ananias and Sapphira Lie to the Ruach [Holy Spirit] in Acts 5:1-11. Their hearts were deceitful in their actions which exposed insincerity. Ananias died and his body was carried out and buried when he lied to the apostles about their earnings, bringing only a portion of the profit. Sapphira didn’t watch her mouth although given the opportunity to speak the truth and examine her heart an hour later when questioned by Peter the apostle. Sapphira declared the established lie discussed with her husband, continuing with deceit and hypocrisy therefore triggering her immediate death. Ananias and Sapphira didn’t lie to the apostles but they lied to GOD. What is your heart full of? What is coming out of your mouth? Are your words and heart’s meditations, pleasing before God?
In 2 Kings 4, the Shunammite Hospitality to Holy Man of God-Elisha, serves as an excellent example for all believers to follow in guarding one’s mouth amid difficulty. For a parent to witness and experience the death of their child is an indescribable feeling that only God’s grace and comforting power can alleviate them from, but in the midst of pain, fear, depression, anxiety and alarm she was very careful with her words as she sought after the face of God. The Shunammite woman guarded her mouth as she carried her son and laid him on the bed and shut the door. She guarded her mouth when she requested transportation from her husband to pursue the Man of God. When her husband asked her the purpose of her visit to Elisha, she replied, “It will be all right.” The Shunammite woman was speaking life into her situation. She guarded her mouth when Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, approached her and questioned her regarding the well-being of herself, her husband and the child, but she answered, “It is well”. Even when she approached Elisha and took hold of his feet, she guarded her mouth and didn’t speak death. Elisha prayed to the LORD and the Power of God through the willingness of Elisha resulted in the healing of her son. What a powerful example to follow! When overwhelmed in a situation- don’t declare” you must as well die” – This is a secret weapon the enemy uses to connect in spiritual warfare [the demon of death comes into your life to harass] bringing about more pain and suffering. Brothers and sisters, strive to stop complaining and telling everyone about your situation, instead seek the face of God in your spirit [Heart].
When you disregard God-given relationships and authority, it can bring about significant consequences. We must be careful not to allow words to come out of our mouths that discredit, disrespect and demean individuals God put in authority over us. One might not enjoy the authority’s method, but if God put the individual in position one is commanded to submit unto them. It is vital to ask God for wisdom regarding the authorities you have been placed under, seek God’s direction. In Genesis 12:3, God Made a covenant with Abram before putting him in authority, He said, ”My desire is to bless those who bless you, but whoever curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” In the story of Miriam and Aaron, they didn’t watch their mouths when they murmured against their brother Moses, God’s chosen leader for the Israelites because of his wife. The LORD came down personally in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tabernacle and called forward Aaron and Miriam. God corrected and disciplined them for their words against Moses’ leadership. As a result, Miriam was leprous and confined outside of the camp for seven days. Additionally, Aaron pleaded with Moses for forgiveness and the Israelites could not move forward until Miriam was declared ceremonially clean. Our words not only do they affect our circumstances, they affect those around us. It is of extreme importance to genuinely speak words that edify, encourage and respect others. We must keep our hearts aligned with what is acceptable in God’s sight and guard our mouths continuously. What is in your heart about your parents, manager at work, your president or prime minister, a pastor or a man of God?
Our mouths propel us forward when we speak God’s promises in faithful expectation – but set us and those around back, when we speak from our emotions and feelings. It is vital for anyone who says they believe and trust God to watch their mouths as His plan of good and purpose is brought to light. Let’s look at the story of Caleb son of Jephunneh from the tribe of Judah and Joshua the son of Nun in Numbers 13 and 14. The LORD told Moses to send men to spy out the land of Canaan; the land that HE already promised to give B’nei Yisrael [children of Israel]. The twelve spies went on a forty-day excursion to learn more about the land, and when they returned at the end of the forty days they reported to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the sons of Israel; the land’s abundant prosperity flowing with milk and honey. Caleb spoke life and agreed with God’s word by saying, “We should definitely go up and capture the land, for we can certainly do it.” But the other spies except Joshua continued speaking death and defeat, creating a chain reaction within the Israelite community to rebel against Moses, Aaron and the LORD. By not watching their mouths, all the Israelites who neglected to trust in GOD died in the wilderness. By not watching their mouths the Israelites who complained, their children were set back forty years before they entered the Promised Land. By not watching their mouths the ten spies who brought back the bad report of the land died by a plague before the LORD. Caleb and Joshua remained alive out of the men who went to spy out the land. Additionally, God promised that they would enter the Promised Land and their descendants would take possession of it. What are you telling your children? what did you hear your parents say growing up? Did they accept that, sickness is a genetic condition? Is it fibroid or cancer in the family that has been accepted for generations? Or perhaps, there is no settle home or marriages in your family and is normal- single motherhood or fatherhood has become the normal. Brothers and sisters, what affliction(s) do you continue to confess acceptance in your life and or of others?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us that, “Rejoice always, pray constantly, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua”. No matter what is going on in your life, aim to thank God; HE is worthy and deserving of our praise, because he is good, loving, faithful, gracious, forgiving and merciful. We must watch our mouths when trials, tribulations and life’s challenges come, and our emotions want to negatively express our perspective regarding our current circumstance. Are you in a sick bed? are your finances in a mess? have the doctors told you that , you can never have a child? is your relationship or marriage at the point of breakdown? your career , family , health or education facing challenges? Even amid trials and tribulations guard your lips, speak God’s word and “WATCH YOUR MOUTH!”. Don’t focus on your trials and listen to the enemy that, nothing will change; begin declaring God’s word instead. As followers of Yeshua we require discipline, trust, and faith in our tribulations. But once you begin to get in the habit of using our words wisely in thanksgiving and praise to God, when the wrong words try to come out, you will be able to take action and bounce back to God’s words and speak victory into your life. Yeshua said in John 16:33 that,” These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have shalom (Peace). In the world you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world!”
Prayer
“It is well” in Yeshua [Jesus Christ] Name. Amen
Further Reading
Genesis 1; Proverbs 10:19; Luke 6; Acts 5:1-11; Genesis 12; Numbers 12, 13 & 14; Romans 13:1-3; Proverbs 13:3; Romans 8:28; John 16:33
