Words. Twenty-six letters in our alphabet. They can be arranged to create a nursery rhyme or great works like Shakespeare produced. Letters can be put together in such a way as to inspire, or to criticize, to convey truth, or to spread falsehood.
In the very beginning, the world came into existence with words, God’s words. The nothingness became the beauty and complexity we see all around us, at the sound of His voice.
As His image-bearers we sing and say words back to him to worship and honor him. In fact, Scripture says we are saved through a confession of our mouths – speaking the words that we have believed in our hearts, the words being the outward expression of inward faith.
“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
We can also use our words to ask Him for the desires of our hearts. “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
Jesus often asked people what they wanted him to do when he was about to heal them. It was as if he wanted them to open their mouths and participate in the miracle. When Jesus encountered two blind men on the road going out from Jericho, he asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
They voiced their need, which was surely the most desperate desire of their hearts, “Lord let our eyes be opened.” Jesus touched their eyes and “immediately they recovered their sight and followed him” (Matthew 20:33-34).
I am not talking about the new age practice and false teaching of “manifesting” something into existence, but about the godly practice of speaking the truth, of prayerfully bringing our requests to God, and trusting him with the outcome.
We can also use the words of our mouths to battle the Enemy of our souls. I heard a wise pastor once say, “When you read the Bible, read it out loud – Satan cannot read your mind but he can hear your voice.” There is power in speaking Jesus’s name. Our declarations have power, our words have power.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
How will you use your words today?
Life By The Way 