The Power of the Tongue

Articles
April 4, 2024

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be Glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

God, through His word, gave man dominion over all the earth, over every situation and circumstance. But, what is man, and what power and dominion has been given unto us? The answer lays plainly in the first book of the bible.

Genesis 12:26 And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

God is mindful of every word that proceeds from His mouth, and we were created with the same mindfulness in His image and after His likeness. We have been likened as unto God which means that with the same power of his word that He created us, we have received that power in our tongue.

Proverbs 18:20 – 21 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruits of his mouth, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Psalms 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Our words are weapons that we use upon this earth, just as a soldier in battle uses his sword to fight, we use our words to create, to conquer and to cast down every thought that should exalt itself above the word of God. Mark 11:23 instructs us to use our words; For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

So this poses my next question, how much does what we say matter? It is a matter between life and death! Looking at the following scriptures helps to put this statement into perspective;

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Matthew 12:36 – 37 But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement.

For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

James 3:17 – 18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown to them that make peace

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindketh!

How should we speak then? The same in conversation as the same in our prayer time, Yes! Speaking lack, doubt and unbelief should not be a part of our daily conversations with other people or even when we are alone. Regardless of what is going on around us, regardless of how the world speaks. We have been set a part, therefore what we say should not run parallel with how the world speaks.

Jesus only said what he heard the Father say, and from this we learn that what we say should mirror the word of God.

Proverbs 12:18 – 19 tells us, there is that speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health, The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

What role does wisdom have to play in what we say? Wisdom has a direct influence on the future, to cause and effect, to sow and reap. What we say has a repercussion on what is to come, and we determine the life or death in it.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we always consider the effect of our words before we release them and to always speak on purpose, considering with great thought the impact and effect it will have. Words uttered out of feeling and emotion, with no thought to what the impact of it will be will always cause to harm and destruction. But, instead of allowing our own feelings and emotions to drive what we say, let us renew our minds with the word of God and let it be settled on the tabernacles of our hearts. So when we do speak, we speak with great thoughtfulness.

Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things

Ephesians 4:29; Let no corrupt communication proceed from your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.

In Ephesians we learn that our words can minister God’s grace into the lives of those who hear us.

What do we do with the opportunity people give us when they take time out of their day to listen to what we have to say? Do we use it to encourage them, edify them, lift them up, or would they have been better off not having spent that time with us.

When God speaks, His word doesn’t return to Him empty, it accomplishes that which He set it forth to accomplish. Our words must be the same, that when we set it forth, it will build and bring edification to where we send it. We are speaking spirits, and our words first have an effect in the spirit world before it has an effect in the natural world (Romans 4:17 As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were). When we confess our healing, do we only have it once we see the symptoms disappear? No, we receive it by faith the moment we speak healing, so is the same in receiving forgiveness. It is all by faith, all first in our spirit man.

Isaiah 55:10 (AMP) For as the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without watering the earth, making it bear and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater.

God always speaks purpose, we should always speak purpose.

When we speak to God, do we use our words to offer up praise and thanksgiving to our heavenly Father, or do we let our murmurings be heard? When our situation does not reflect what we know has been promised to us in the word of God, does not mean it will not come to pass.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations.

Thanksgiving, faith and belief in what God has promised will bring light to our understanding, it will cause us to have joy.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But the opposite of the above mentioned is also true, untruthfulness, unbelief and fear will darken our understanding.

Let us read what the scriptures have to say:

Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.

Exodus 16:2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.

God did not lead the Israelite’s into the wilderness to die, the power of their words and unbelief in God is what kept them there. We read that Caleb stood fast on the promise of God, not wavering or retreating from it. Speaking boldly the truth that God, the same truth God has desired for all man kind.

Joshua 16:10 – 11 And now, behold, the lord has kept me alive. As he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spoke this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

As yet I am as strong this day as I was I the day that Moses send me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

2 Corinthians 4:13-15 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through thanksgiving of many redound (contribute) to the glory of God.

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have made available to us the understanding of the power of our words through Your written word, and that we can be Your vessels upon this earth to speak forth that which creates, builds up and brings edification to those who hear us.

We have learned that we are not to speak freely out of our own will and emotions, but to speak according to Your will to fulfill the purpose You have set forth for us on the earth. Let us continually guard our mouths and hearts by the renewing of our minds through Your word, let us be quick to hear and slow to speak, ensuring our words are filled with purpose and causes the effect You have desired it to have. With our lips we bring glory, praise and honour to Your holy and wonderful name.

Amen.

References:

All scriptures mentioned are used out of the King James Version unless stated otherwise

Keith Moore’s series on the Power of the Tongue inspired me to do this write up. Below are the links to his teachings in order of 1 – 13.

The Power of the Tongue

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