THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

1 1 THE POWER OF THE TONGUE Do you realize that each of us go through life with a remarkable POWER right under our nose? It is a POWER so great that it is capable of producing life or death depending on how it's used. The Bible tells us that our words are so powerful that they can bless or curse, encourage or discourage, hurt or heal, tear down or build up. Our words can even influence the way we act and feel as well as determine our attitude and outlook on life. That's right, this powerful weapon is the TONGUE and its ammunition is the words we speak.

2 The Bible tells us in James 3:8-9: "But the TONGUE can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude (image) of God." Yes, the Bible says that nobody can tame the TONGUE ; however, with the help of the Holy Spirit, you and I can be saved from the destructive POWER of our own words. We can purposely order our conversation and speak carefully chosen words of God that will not only produce victory in our own life but in the lives of others as well.

3 We read in Proverbs 18:21a that "Death and life are in the POWER of the TONGUE ." An example of how words can bring forth death and destruction can be found in Mark 11:13-14, 20: "And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he (Jesus) came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

4 " On the other hand, an example of words bringing forth life can be found in John 11:43-44: "And when he thus had spoken, he (Jesus) cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, 2 bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, loose him, and let him go." We can see from these two examples just how powerful our words can be. It is our privilege and responsibility as Christians to speak forth positive life-giving words in a world immersed in negativity.

5 After all Proverbs 12:25 says that "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." and "pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24). Prophets of Our Own Lives The words of our mouth have control over our lives, whether we like it or not, or whether we believe it or not. What comes out of our mouth will determine our future. As a rudder controls the direction of a ship, your TONGUE controls the direction of your life. God made man to be a steward not only over the earth but over his own mouth as well.

6 We are our own prophets. What we say today impacts our tomorrow. You and I are where we are right now as a result of the words we spoke yesterday and the day before that and so on. That is simply the way God created us. And, like God, our words carry POWER . Actually, within the realm over which God gave us authority, the words we speak day after day carry the same degree of force behind them as the words God Himself speaks - even the same force as the Word that came out of God's mouth when He created the universe. Jesus said in Luke 21:33: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

7 " Yes, God's Word and the words we speak "shall not return void" (Isaiah 55:11). When reading the Gospels, you will notice that everything surrounding Jesus' entire life (His birth, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection) was a direct fulfillment of what God's prophets had spoken. God had 3 set everything in place for the birth of Jesus. Yet, had it not been for a few men speaking under the anointing of God, it never would have happened. "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, " (Matthew 1:22) Then in Matthew 2:15 and 2:23 we see the same thing written: "that which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet".

8 You see, just as God Himself spoke the world into existence, we as believers in Christ Jesus speak forth our future. Take up the Sword of the Spirit Too possess healing, or anything from God, we must first lay hold of the Word as ours. We lay hold of the Word by receiving it by faith, and then confessing it. That's the process that got us saved, and it's the process that will enable us to receive the blessings God has promised us in His Word. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:17 to arm ourselves with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

9 " We must take up the sword of the Spirit and use it as a base on which we operate our minds. As we go through life, we will have several decisions to make. We must rely on God's Word when making these decisions. Jesus said to his disciples: "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63b). God's Word is a compass that will guide us in making right decisions. His Word is "a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path." (Psalm 119:105) God's Word is victory, so believe the Word, pray the Word, meditate on the Word, and speak the Word.

10 Confess the Word 4 The Bible encourages us in Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised." You see our confession is our profession. Just as a doctor would be termed a professional in his field, we as Christians should strive to be professional believers. A Christian's faith in the Word of God should be his very livelihood. In Hebrews 3:1, we are instructed to "consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus." God appointed, anointed, and then sent Jesus to be High Priest over our confessions (words of faith).