Hold Fast to Your Confession

Word games are a favorite among many. They not only provide fun entertainment, but they also provide a learning experience. Some of the top word games today are, Scrabble, Boggle, Typo, Balderdash, Upword, Word Search and the ever favorite, Crosswords. Though word game may provide various benefits, how we use our words has a great impact upon ourselves and others. Solomon says it this way, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21). 

Many believers today live with a sense of defeat and failure not realizing that the words coming from their mouth are most likely the reason for this, especially if their words are negative in content. Look what the writer of Hebrews says concerning God's Word, "who (Jesus) being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, (the Father) and upholding all things by the word of His power..." (Hebrews 1:3) Notice that it does not say "the power of His word" but "the word of His power." In other words, God's Word is His power or as Hebrews also say, "For the word of God is living and powerful..." (Hebrews 4:12) 

It has been said by many, that Christianity is called "the great confession" However, far to many believers are defeated in life because they believe and confess the wrong things. Again, looking to the Book of Hebrews it  says, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." and "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 4:14, 10:23) Believers are to "hold fast our confession." But what confession are we to hold fast to? We are to hold fast to our confession of the absolute integrity of God's Word as well as hold fast to the confession of the finished redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Concerning holding fast our confession to the absolute integrity of God's Word, let's consider the following...

• Psalms 89:34 My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. 
• Psalms 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
• Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
• Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
• John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth
• Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

These are but a few passages of scripture that reveal the power that is released when believers stand on the integrity of God's Word. God has promised to make His Word come to pass, all we have to do is speak it and believe that it will never fail but get the job done every time. Concerning holding fast to the confession of the finished redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ let us consider the following...

• Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
• Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• 1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.

These too are but a few passages of scripture revealing the finished redemptive work of Christ and the believers legal right to these incredible promises. Both of these areas of making confession require only one thing, faith, the rest is up to God. Let's face it, every person who walks by faith will have testing, but keep in mind they do not come from the Father, they come from the adversary, (James 1:13, 1 Peter5:8) The devil does not want the Word of God to have the ascendancy in your life. He knows that when believers live by the Word of God, they know how to resist him on every level of life in the same manner that Jesus did. This is freedom, this is life, this is rest, because this is Christianity. 

"My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health (medicine) to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you."  (Proverbs 4:20-24)

What's Your Confession

The Bible reveals two types of confession. One could be considered a negative confession because it deals with confessing sin, but the other would be considered a positive confession. This type of confession is affirming something that one believes, testifying of something that one knows or acting on a truth that one has embraced, "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith, the Word of God, made incarnate in Jesus Christ, without being shaken by the trials, or by the arguments of the enemy, for God who cannot lie, is faithful to give you what He has promised." (Hebrews 10:23 Paraphrased)
Notice that this type of confession deals directly with the Word of God, which makes confession a very important part of a believers life. Remember Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)

Our thinking should be, when we confess God’s Word that it goes beyond the natural realm into the spiritual realm to accomplish God’s will and to prosper in the thing for which it is sent, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) In other words, no Word of God is without power! No one can affirm, that is, testify or act on things that they do not believe, know or embrace as truth. Thank the Lord for giving us a revelation of Himself through His Word. His Word is "Living and Powerful" and as we confess His Word we are agreeing with it and not letting life circumstances have the upper hand. The believer who is constantly confessing their lack, weakness and failure is not agreeing with God's Word. Negative confession is an unconscious declaration that our heavenly Father has failed to accomplish the fullness of redemption through Christ. This type of confession destroys faith, holds people in bondage and says that the redeemed life is nothing more than a life filled with misery and disappointment.

The apostle Paul tells us, "Everywhere and in all things I have learned to be independent of my circumstances. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:12-13)
Paul could say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” not because he was more special to God than other believers, but because he did not let Satan or the influences of the natural realm to distract or manipulate him. He relied on God’s strength and ability to work through him in every area of life. In other words, he walked by the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is apparent that he understood that "the Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing."

If believers look to the circumstances or the things in the natural realm rather than seeing God’s Word as Spirit and life, then the results will be a negative confession. In other words, if I confess that by His stripes I am healed, but look to the natural and do not see immediate results, then I am allowing the natural realm to have place neutralizing my confession. I might find myself saying, "well this does not work for me, I guess sickness is God’s purpose for me, God why am I not healed." This opens the door for the devil to respond with his lies and deception that causes the believer to believe him more than believing God. We must train ourselves in the fact that God is spirit, Satan is spirit and man who was made in God’s image and likeness is also spirit. Through faith, a believers confession should center around these three points; What God has worked in Christ for us…(The legal side of redemption); What God through His Word and the Holy Spirit is doing in and through us…(Vital; side of redemption); What we are to the Father in Christ…(Identification side of redemption)

This translates into such things as; Confessing first and foremost that Jesus Christ is absolute Lord of my life; Confessing that all authority is His over everything, all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; Confessing that He is Lord over sickness, disease, poverty, Satan, sin and death; Confessing that His Word and Spirit have the preeminence in our lives; Confessing that we are God’s children and as sons and daughters we are entitled to all of His promises as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; Confessing  that He has given us the legal right to use the name of Jesus to enforce what He has done and to keep the devil under the believers feet.

Believers must make confession by placing faith in the integrity of God and His Word. "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19) "My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips." (Psalms 89:34) "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalms 107:20) "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." (Psalms 119:89) "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) "…upholding all things by the word of His power." (Hebrews 1:3) "For the word of God is living and powerful..." (Hebrews 4:12)

The devil cannot read our mind but he certainly hears our words. If our words are negative, that is, contrary to God's Word, then he will devises a deceptive plan for us to agree with him and not God. This causes many believers to live a defeated life. However, when the believer sides with God's Word and refuses to let circumstances to have control, he/she will live in victory and continuously see the salvation of the Lord, because HE IS FAITHFUL!!!

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)

The Right Words

When looking at the life of Jesus on earth as the Son of Man, we see that He only spoke the words that He heard from the Father. (John 8:28, 12:49) We see the power of His words through His preaching and teaching (Matthew 7:29); through healing the sick and diseased (Matthew 8:8); and casting out demons and evil spirits (Matthew 8:16). Simply put, Jesus used the Father's Words to do the supernatural in the same way that all things came to be in the beginning, "Then God said...and it was so..." (Genesis 1:3, 6-7, 11, 14-15, 20, 24, 26, 29-30).

After His resurrection, and moments before Jesus ascended to heaven to take His place at the right hand of the Father, He gave His disciples some instructions, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen" (Mark 16:17-20)  

A closer look at His words reveal that He was basically telling the disciples to "speak" God's Word in His name and that He would confirm it "through the accompanying signs." We also see this revealed in the lives of the seventy (seventy two in other manuscripts) upon their return to Jesus after He sent them out, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." (Luke 10:19) The Apostles Peter also "spoke" the name of Jesus over a man who was born lame and was instantly healed. (Acts 3:1-10) These things were accomplished through words. This is important for believers to fully comprehend and act upon, because words are just that powerful.

Also, along these lines we must recognize that there are only two sources from which words originate. They are from God, His Word, or they are the words of the world, which are actually the words of the devil. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John reveals this from the reality of people being children of one of two families, "In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest..." (1 John 3:10) So, we can clearly see that our words will come from one of two sources.

When we think about being a believer, we must understand that Jesus planned that the believers life in Him should not be kept to themselves, but to be given to the world through God's Word. Testifiers, witnesses and confessors have been the great leaders in the revolutionary life that Jesus gave to the world. The major problem that faces every believer is to know what words are to be spoken or confessed. The believers confession centers around several things: First, is what God in Christ has accomplished for us; Second, what God through His Word and the Holy Spirit, has worked and continues to work in us; Third, what we are to the Father in Christ; Fourth, what God can do through us by us speaking His Word.

We also must keep in mind, no one can speak, confess or witness, about things that they do not know. Naturally, every person can open their mouth and have words come out, but what is meant by this is, in a court of law, it is what you have seen and heard, what you know, that counts. In the same way, it is what you know personally about Jesus Christ as well as, who and what you are in Christ that counts. It is unfortunate how few believers dare to confess to the world what the Word declares that they are in Christ. Take this scripture for instance,  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

What a revolutionary thing it would be for the church to make a confession like this. What a stir it would make in the church today for believers to believe and confess that they are absolutely redeemed, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,." (Ephesians 1:7-9) Just these few scriptures spoken from the lips of faith would mean that Satan's dominion has been broken, that he lost his dominion over the life of every believer. The old habits can no longer lord it over you, because you are a new creation created in Christ.

The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak." (2 Corinthians 4:13) This passage is found in Psalm 116:10. When the psalmist uttered these words, he was experiencing great afflicted. In his affliction he spoke to God; he spoke of his confidence in him; he proclaimed his reliance on him; and his having spoken in this manner was the result of his belief, or of his putting confidence in God. Paul, in quoting this, was in circumstances of trial and affliction similar to the psalmist. Speaking or confessing God's Word, "we also believe and therefore speak", will always grow faith in the believer. However, on the other hand, speaking words contrary to God Word, will always erode faith.

So, as we face the trials that may come in this life, "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23) Let us be mindful of every word that proceeds out of our mouths, for as the Holy Spirit spoke through Solomon, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) Let us speak the Word of God through the lips of faith and love to ourselves, to one another and to the world, which will loose the power of God and bind the powers of darkness.

And I Quote

A quote is defined as; to repeat or copy a group of words from a text or speech, typically with an indication that one is not the original author or speaker. One of the most important and powerful ways that believers can live an abundant life in Christ while on earth, is by quoting the Word of God. Quoting or actually confessing God's Word, releases the power of God and increases ones faith. ( Hebrews 1:3; Romans 10:17) When a believer confess God's Word, they are quoting the very Words of Christ. Although faith grows with the confession of God's Word, ones faith is no greater than their confession. The Apostle Paul tells us, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Let's keep in mind that the word "saved" here means, to keep safe and sound; to rescue from danger or destruction; to keep from injury or peril; to save a suffering one from perishing; to save from disease; to make well; to heal; to restore to health; to preserve one who is in danger of destruction; to save or rescue; to make whole. What wonderful promises from God. So, every time you break the silence of fear and or unbelief with an open confession of the integrity of God's Word, and then act upon His Word, you destroy the very roots of fear and unbelief in your life. Fear and unbelief grow with your confession, in the same manner that faith will also grow with your confession. If you confess that you are sick, unbelief will grow in you. However, if you confess that "by His (Jesus') stripes I am healed" and hold fast to your confession of God's Word, then your faith for healing grows.

The gospel of Luke puts it this way, "For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37) A more literal translation of this verse is, "No Word from God is void of power." (Also see Isaiah 55:11) God's Word has not lost its ability to accomplish what it says. It has been said, "the Words ability is measured by its Author's ability." Keep in mind, in Genesis 1:3, 6-7, 9, 11, 14-15, 20, 24, 26, 29-30, says, "Then God said…and it was so." So, faith, in the sense that I am using God's Word here, is letting His Word function through you, that is, letting God's Word do what is says it will do and then act upon it as though it is already a finished work, which it truly is.

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) Notice, that Jesus did not say, "all things are possible to him who has great faith." He simply said, "to him who believes." In other words, the only condition for a believer to see the impossible become possible is to accept God's Word as true no matter what the circumstances may dictate. We need to truly understand that God and His Word are one and His power is in His Word. (Hebrews 1:3)

Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches..." (John 15:5) Think about this. Every believer is a branch, one with the vine. The fruit grows on the branches not on the vine. It is the vine that gives the branches life, or as the Apostle Peter says, "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." (2 Peter 1:3) All believers are sharers with Jesus and the bearers of His fruit. That fruit is measured by our confession, that is, our confession will determine our faith life. So, hold fast to your confession (Hebrews 10:23) in the face of all opposition, knowing that you cannot be conquered. (Romans 8:37)

Let us always keep in mind, that our lips give expression to our faith or doubt. If we say, "I believe therefore I have," we agree with God's Word, "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.  Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:23-24) I do not need to see, hear or feel, because the Word is is my evidence. Again, faith grows through our study, meditation, confession and acting on the Word of God. It is a process of time, but it is well worth the effort.

So, when things arise in our lives that are contrary to God's promises, His Word, our confession of His Word and acting on it will solve the problem. To act on God's Word is not necessarily based upon physical actions, although actions show our faith. (James 2:18) Sometimes, it is simply thanking Him for what He has already accomplished through Christ and then standing on His Word, though His Word may not have manifested instantly and even when the circumstances are contrary to His Word. Therefore, let us keep in mind, a wrong confession hinders the Spirit's work in and through us. A neutral confession is unbelief and is just as bad as a negative confession. However, a positive, clear cut confession of God's Word over any and every circumstance that we may face is the confession that puts us over. In short, our confession is a direct reflection of our faith. So, a neutral confession results in neutral faith, an a negative confession results in unbelief. Two examples of the latter are, a confession of failure puts failure on the throne in our life; a confession of weakness, puts weakness on the throne of our life.

The Apostle Paul said, "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (2 Timothy 1:12) Are we truly persuaded that God is able to fulfill His Word in our lives? Paul also tells of Abraham, "Abraham, and being fully convinced that what God had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:21) Notice, that Abraham was "fully convinced" that what God had promised He was also able to perform." To be fully convinced, is to believe without wavering, that God will carry through to the end, that is, accomplish exactly what He said, His Word. I want to encourage us all, do not give up when confessing God's Word especially when it does not manifest quick, now and in a hurry. It is unfortunate that many believers do, but the Word of God says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9) Although this is focused on believers doing good works, it is still applicable to believing, confessing and acting on God's Word. So, don't lose heart, because God is faithful to make good His Word. (Numbers 23:19)

Don't Misunderstand Me

Isn't it interesting, how a misunderstanding can cause so many problems. To misunderstand is nothing more than a failure to understand something correctly. Instead of drawing a wrong conclusion or applying wrong actions, a misunderstanding can be avoided simply by finding out the facts. For believers, the Bible is the place where we can look to and find indisputable facts, because the Word of God is indisputable. However, in saying that, the church has been in many disputes when it comes to interpreting God's Word. There are two ways that we can understand and interpret God's Word. One is through our own intellect. However, the Apostle Paul tells us, "...We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up..." (1 Corinthians 8:1) The knowledge that Paul is referring to is intellectual understanding. The intellect is the vehicle where most of our knowledge is acquired, but it is limited, because it cannot operate without the five senses. This is also known as sense knowledge or mental assent. Notice that Paul says that this kind of knowledge "puffs up" that is, makes one proud and or arrogant. It is this type of knowledge that has brought numerous erroneous doctrines into the church, which for many, has reduced Christianity to a faithless, powerless religion.

The other type of knowledge is revelation knowledge which Paul reveals in his epistles numerous times and in numerous ways. This is the type of knowledge that believers should strive for, because it is spiritual. Revelation knowledge does not rely on the five senses, therefore, it far exceeds intellectual knowledge. Paul tells us, "making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge (precise and correct knowledge) of Him." (Ephesians 1:16-18) "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge (precise and correct knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." (Colossians 1:9) However, to come into revelation knowledge, first and foremost, believers must allow the Holy Spirit do His work, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13) Secondly, believers must exercise faith, "By faith we understand..." (Hebrews 11:3) 

We can say that faith is like a tender plant. It cannot stand the harsh winds or the torrential down pour of sense (intellectual) knowledge or it is neutralized. Faith must feed continually on the Word of God and then grows by acting on that Word. Simply reading the Word, meditating on the Word, will not build faith. It will, however, build a capacity for faith. Faith will only grow when God's Word becomes a part of our daily conduct, our daily speech and our daily actions. The word faith appears in the King James Version of the Bible two hundred forty three time. Two time in the Old Testament and two hundred forty one times in the New Testament. As we can see, faith is an important element that should be a major part of the believers daily life. In fact, "without faith, it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6) and yet faith is one of those subjects that has been so misunderstood, that most ministers today do not want to teach or preach about it. 

However, as faith grows, Satan's dominion over the believer wanes. Circumstances that life brings are less formidable. As ones faith grows, fear is destroyed and you begin to possess your rights in Christ. You eventually possess the things that you have merely hoped for in the past. For instance, at one time you hoped for money to pay a bill, now by faith you have it. The reason why many believers do not possess the things that are freely theirs in Christ, is, although they may say that they agree with God's Word, they simply have not acted upon it. They have merely taken an intellectual approach to it, that is, they have mentally assented to it. When believers not only agree with God's Word but also act upon it, they reach the place where they no longer hope for things, but look up and say, "Father, I thank you that I am what you say I am, your child. (1 John 3:1) I thank you that your Word is true (John 17:17). I thank you that you do not lie (Numbers 23:19). I thank you for the things that I have asked for in Jesus Name." (Mark 11"23-24) What you once mentally assented to, you now possess, because believing is possessing. 

Next, we see that faith grows in the atmosphere of confession of the Word. We are not speaking of confession of sin. It is our confession of what God's Word declares as to what we are in Christ, what Christ is in us, and how the Father truly sees us. Continuous confession of God's Word becomes a living thing in our hearts and minds. Just as the Word from Jesus' lips could rule the sea, the winds, sickness, disease and even death, so God's Word spoken from our lips will have the same effect. Every time we break the silence caused by fear with an open confession of the integrity of the Word, and act on the Word, we destroy the very roots of fear and unbelief in our lives. Fear and unbelief grow with confession, in the same manner as faith grows with confession. For instance, if you  confess that you are sick, unbelief grows in you. If you confess that "by His stripes you are healed" faith grows. 

So, let us not misunderstand. God's Word works when spoken through faith filled lips. His Word declares, "You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways." (Job 22:28) "My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips."
Psalms 107:20 "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." (Psalms 119:89) "You have magnified Your word above all Your name." (Psalm 138:2) "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8) "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." (Mark 11:31) "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) "For the word of God is living and powerful." (Hebrews 4:12) Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Just Like Dad - Part 6

In this final part, we will look at some points as to why the confession of God's Word is important to the believers life. As we look at these things let's keep in mind that in creation, "God Said...and it was so." (Genesis 1) Jesus said of Himself, "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak." (John 12:49) Jesus also 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) We see that God spoke, Jesus spoke the Father's Words and believers are also to speak God's Word. The Apostle John tells us, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, (which is His Word) He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15)  

So as previously mentioned, believers are to confess God's Word because it is the way we sow
seeds in the Kingdom. This is a principle of God. So to put it to work in your life, you must be obedient to His Word and do what His Word says, that is, "Hold fast to your confession of faith..." (Hebrews 10:23) Sowing by the Kingdom method will bring success in any area but you must "hold fast to your confession regardless of what circumstance may dictate. A confession of doubt naturally is not one of faith. The Apostle James tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:5-8) Although James is focused on asking for wisdom, the principle and results are the same. Basically, if you do not ask (speak) in faith do not expect results. 

Confessing God's Word builds ones faith. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Hearing implies something must be continuously spoken and that you keep hearing and hearing, etc. It is a continuous process. Speaking the Word is setting the goal of that which you desire to come to pass. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) It can be in any area, healing, finances, emotional issues and or spiritual matters. No matter what, speak what God says in His Word concerning you and or the situation, to yourself, aloud. You declare it, you say it, you confess it and faith will come. Also, keep in mind, hope is important, but it has no substance, it is only the desired goal. Faith gives substance of things hoped for.

Confessing God's Word renews the mind. Because our mind was not renewed when we were born again, it is important to bring our entire soul (mind, will and emotions) into subjection to our recreated spirit. The Apostle Paul tells us, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) Confession of God's Word, that is, speaking and being in agreement with what His Word says, causes your mind to be renewed so you can think like
God thinks. This in turn will cause you to talk like God talks. Eventually, talking like God talks will cause you to be an imitator of God. "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." (Ephesians 5:1)

Confessing God's Word keeps the answer before you. What do I mean? When facing a problem and you find yourself constantly thinking about the problem, speaking the problem, praying the problem, then you will have faith in the problem because all you see, hear and think is the problem. But when you begin to confess the solution, God' Word, you are now doing something about the problem.  The Apostle Paul tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, 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 through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:6-8) You will never solve a problem by dwelling on the problem. You have to get off the problem and get to the answer, by keeping God's Word before you. Paul tells us a way to get our minds off the problem. It is by meditating on the things revealed in this passage. (verse 8)

Confessing God's Word changes your heart. "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:20-23) Every believer is to keep, or guard, their heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues, or source of life. Jesus tells us, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication's, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man..." (Matthew 15:18-20) Solomon tells us, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he..." (Proverbs 23:7) As with the Parable of the Soils, our heart must receive the good seed (God's Word) so we bring forth good fruit.

Confession of God's Word sets the law of faith in motion. Faith is a law of God. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith." (Romans 3:27) Paul also tells us, "And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak." (2 Corinthians 4:13) That's the way it works. What you believe, is what you speak and subsequently, what you speak, you will believe. This process causes faith to come. You are putting it in motion the law of faith. It is not going to happen just because you say it. However, saying it is involved in setting it in motion. Your confession must be done in faith. That is why you must continue to do it. Often, believers will speak some things even though they may not believe it when they first say them, though they are in the Bible. You know the Bible is true, but it does not seem to be true in your life.  However, if you speak it, confess it, proclaim it long enough, your mind will come into subjection to your recreated spirit, which bears witness with God's Word, and you will eventually believe it. Again, what you continually speak, you will believe.

Confessing God's Word will put angel's to work for you. Many believers have never realized that the angels are listening to the words we speak. The writer of Hebrews says, "But to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:13-14)  By virtue of being born again you are an heir of salvation which means that supernatural beings, angels, the ministering spirits of God, are here to minister for you. The Apostle John tells us, "Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” (Revelation 22:8-9) In other words the angel said, "Don't worship me, I am your servant." Angel's are our fellow servants, fellow servant of the prophets, and fellow servants of those who keep the sayings of this book, the Bible. So, if you are keeping the sayings of the Bible, God's Word, then the angels are your servants. "The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word." (Psalm 103:19-20) If you are saying what God said, then you are assigning angels to go and cause things to manifest according to God's Word spoken with faith. 

For some, all of these things may seem to be outlandish or even extreme. However, the Bible tells us, "So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11 AMP) The simple fact is, it comes down to believing that time, space, culture, demons or faithless people do not have the power to change God's Word. His Word has not changed and is as powerful today as it was when it was first spoken. God's Word will also accomplish today, what it says, in the same way that it did when it was first spoken. I pray that you will apply these principles to your life daily and do not give up because you may not see immediately results. Never forget the God is faithful! "Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) May the grace of our Father fill your life abundantly through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Just Like Dad - Part 1

The Holy Spirit tells us through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." (Ephesians 5:1) This is not just some casual statement that Paul is making. He literally means that believers are to copy God's actions and speech exactly. It means to act like God Himself. Now for many, this may seem difficult to believe or it might even seem absurd, but there lies the problem, not agreeing with God's Word. Jesus tells a parable that reveals why many people have such a difficult time believing God's Word. He tells us a parable that we have entitled "The Parable of the Soils." He reveals some important information concerning this particular parable by asking two questions, "...Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?" (Mark 4:13) So, why is this parable so important for believers to understand? Let's see...

Jesus starts the parable by saying, “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow." (Mark 4:3) To get a better understanding of this parable, let us look at Jesus' explanation of it a piece at a time. "The sower sows the word" that is, the Word of God. (Mark 4:14) Simply put, to sow is to scatter (seed) over the ground for growing. In this parable the ground in which God's Word is to be sown, is the human heart, man's spirit, for the purpose of "growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18) James tells us to, "...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your soul." (James 1:21) The more a believer sows God's Word, the more they become imitators of God. The Apostles Paul also says, "...being transformed into the same image (of the Lord) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) Unfortunately, for many believers, they are quick to gloss over this highly important point in this parable. Let's look at why this is so.

In Genesis chapter one we see the account of creation. Nine times we see, "then God said." (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29) In the earth ministry of Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus tells us, "...Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19) "...I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things." (John 8:28) "...I always do those things that please Him (the Father)." (John 8:29) "I speak what I have seen with My Father..." (John 8:38) "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." (John 12:49-50) Without doubt, Jesus was imitating God the Father in His words and actions. Do you see the pattern here? "God said...and it was so." (Genesis 1:3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 20-21, 24, 26-31) Jesus only spoke the words of the Father and I might add, it too, was so. 

It is no different for the believer. Believers are to be imitators of our Heavenly Father just like Jesus was during His ministry on earth. This is one of the most important areas for the believers life, sow (speak) God's Word continuously. Moses went to Pharaoh a number of times and spoke God's Word to Him in saying, "The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you saying, Let My people go..." (Exodus 7:16, 8:1, 20, 9:1, 13, ) If we fully read this account, we will see that Moses continually spoke God's Word, the Word eventually prevailed over the circumstances and the children of Israel were released from their bondage. (Exodus 12:31) But it did not stop there. The power behind God's Word spoken from the lips of Moses unleashed ten plagues that covered Egypt, but had no effect on the children of Israel (Exodus 7 - 12) Also, Israel left Egypt with their possessions, all of the Egyptians wealth, (Exodus 12:31-36) and the entire nation had perfect health. (Psalm 105:37) 

God tells Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8) Notice, the first thing that God tells Joshua concerning His word is, "This Book of the Law (God's Word) shall not depart from your mouth..." God commanded Joshua first and foremost to continuously speak His Word. Why is that? Paul tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) We are to speak, that is, confess God's Word because it causes faith grow. Paul does not say that faith comes by having heard the Word, but hearing and hearing and hearing, etc. the Word of God.    

Speaking, that is, confessing God's Word is the pattern that God reveals in creation. Throughout the Bible we see the same with the people of God, speaking God's Word. The gospel of John is where we see this in Jesus' ministry on earth which also reveals incredible results. Why is that?  "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) "The Word of God is living and powerful..." (Hebrews 4:12) God's Word is as powerful today as it was when He first spoke it. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8) So, we have a choice. We can confess God's Word continuously, have our faith built up and see the salvation of the Lord in incredible ways or we can confess the problems of life and muddle our way through life letting the problems literally squeeze the life out of us. 

Look at the words of a very wise man, "You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth." (Proverbs 6:2) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) Jesus tells us, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) In other words, the words of the flesh have no intrinsic value because they do not produce life. In fact, as we saw in Proverbs, negative confession literally snares us, traps us, and produces death. I want to encourage you today by saying, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:29-30) Corrupt words do not only mean obscene or filthy conversation, but any words that do not produce good fruit. Yes, corrupt words from our mouth will grieve the Holy Spirit. So, let us begin to speak edifying words by doing as Paul tells us, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Exercising an attitude of thanksgiving in all things will aid us in promoting healthy, edifying, good fruit bearing words, that is, confessing God's Word, because it always bears good fruit.  

In the next part of this series, we will continue to address the power of our confession as we continue to look at "The Parable of the Soils." The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all..."
   

Word Games

Word games are a favorite among many. They not only provide fun entertainment, but they also provide a learning experience. Some of the top word games today are, Scrabble, Boggle, Typo, Balderdash, Upword, Word Search and the ever favorite, Crosswords. Though word game may provide various benefits, how we use our words has a great impact upon ourselves and others. Solomon says it this way, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21).

Many believers today live with a sense of defeat and failure not realizing that the words coming from their mouth are most likely the reason for this, especially if their words are negative in content. Look what the writer of Hebrews says concerning God's Word, "who (Jesus) being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, (the Father) and upholding all things by the word of His power..." (Hebrews 1:3) Notice that it does not say "the power of His word" but "the word of His power." In other words, God's Word is His power or as Hebrews also say, "For the word of God is living and powerful..." (Hebrews 4:12)

It has been said by many, that Christianity is called "the great confession." However, far to many believers are defeated in life because they believe and confess the wrong things. Again, looking to the Book of Hebrews it  says, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." and "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 4:14, 10:23) Believers are to "hold fast our confession." But what confession are we to hold fast to? We are to hold fast to our confession of the absolute integrity of God's Word as well as hold fast to the confession of the finished redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Concerning holding fast our confession to the absolute integrity of God's Word, let's consider the following...

• Psalms 89:34 My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. 
• Psalms 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
• Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
• Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
• John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth
• Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

These are but a few passages of scripture that reveal the power that is released when believers stand on the integrity of God's Word. God has promised to make His Word come to pass, all we have to do is speak it and believe that it will never fail but get the job done every time.

Concerning holding fast to the confession of the finished redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ let us consider the following...

• Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
• Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• 1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.

These too are but a few passages of scripture revealing the finished redemptive work of Christ and the believers legal right to these incredible promises. Both of these areas of making confession require only one thing, faith, the rest is up to God. Let's face it, every person who walks by faith will have testing, but keep in mind they do not come from the Father, they come from the adversary, (James 1:13, 1 Peter5:8) The devil does not want the Word of God to have the ascendancy in your life. He knows that when believers live by the Word of God, they know how to resist him on every level of life in the same manner that Jesus did. This is freedom, this is life, this is rest, because this is Christianity.

"My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health (medicine) to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you."  (Proverbs 4:20-24)