Choose Your Words

Choose your words is an expression that many parents with young children say to get their children to express what they are feeling and or trying to convey. Basically, they are asking their children "to think carefully about what you are saying, before you say something." This is true with all people not simply children. Jesus warns us, "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37) This is a very important word for all, especially believers. Our words do three things. First, the words you speak identify you; The words you speak set the boundaries of your life; and the words you speak affect your spirit (the inward man of the heart).

If a person truly desires to know what manner of person they are, they just need to listen to the words they speak. Jesus, giving us a lesson on faith tells us, "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." (Mark 11:23) Notice, the word "says" appears three times and the word "believes" only once. This in itself shows us not only the power of our words but the power of our faith, or our doubt in speaking things. The thing that defeats a lot of people is their double confession. One time they will confess one thing in faith, and the next time they will repudiate that confession with doubt, for instance, "By the stripes of Jesus I am healed" to "Oh well I guess its not my time to be healed."

According to the writer of Hebrews, believers are to, "...hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23) In other words, never give up. Hold on to and confess the Word of God because God is faithful! Yes, sometimes it is not easy, but we must believe "that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul to Timothy tells us to, "Fight (preserver against opposition and temptation) the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12) The Bible tells us to "fight" and have a "good confession."Why? "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)

The devil works hard at trying to "sway" believers from faith to doubt. He does this by deceiving people into making a negative, faithless confession. He knows that life and death are expressed through the words that we speak. (Proverbs 18:21) Faith confesses life, doubt confesses death. In the fight for faith, believers must fight. Not in the physical sense, but by applying faith in our confession of God's Word. Paul exhorts us to, "...stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving (laboring, making great effort) together for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27) The Holy Spirit through Jude tells us "...I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend (to struggle for with intense force) earnestly (with sincere and intense conviction) for the faith..." (Jude 3) 

As we can see, faith filled words will put us over and doubt filled words will hold us down. So, let us purpose in this new year to change the way we speak. Let us grab hold of the amazing grace of God, fight the good fight of faith, having a good confession and, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)