WHAT YOU SAY

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

One thing that I've noticed recently is that I speak very negatively over my life. As soon as I start feeling sick or tired (or both) instead of saying "oh I'll be fine" I go down the list of reasons to not be fine. This is a major problem because all I'm actually doing is making the situation worse. 

Just the other day the Holy Spirit told me to just thank God all day - no matter what. I wasn't feeling too great but instead of complaining or asking God for help, I just thanked Him throughout the day. I will admit, I felt great throughout the day and I literally made it through the day. It just goes to show that whatever we are going through isn't really as bad as we think it is - and God honestly and truly does have everything under control. 

Let's look at the book of Job for example - Job goes through the absolute most - but comes out on top because of his faith in God and his obedience. The enemy's entire plan was to get Job to SAY something that would ruin his life. However Job never said it. 

"One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord , and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord , “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”  Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”  “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”  The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord." Job 1:6‭-‬12 

In fact, the first thing that Job let come out of his mouth was a blessing - to The Lord. 

"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my motherʼs womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”  In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." Job 1:20‭-‬22 

Now that's how you handle life! His wife and friends however, didn't get the memo. His wife actually suggested that he say the wrong thing. 

"His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”  He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." Job 2:9‭-‬10 

"Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" Wow. What a great thought from Job right there. That's some true righteousness. What TERRIBLE advice that was from his wife though. Unfortunately, that's how a lot of us think when things get rough. We want to just take the quick route and end it right there - and the enemy is right there like Job's wife saying the DUMBEST suggestions in your ear like "you should do this" and "you should do that"..."you're not this"...and "you are that"... Don't listen to the devil! He's a liar! So whatever he says that you are - you're not. Whatever he says you're not - you are. You are a child of God fearfully and wonderfully made. You are more than a conqueror. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You have to start saying these things to yourself on the daily. Out loud too so everyone can hear it. However not only do you just SAY it - you have to BELIEVE what you're saying. You have to BELIEVE what God is saying to you. You have to say what God has already said to and about you in His word. John 3:16-18 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of Godʼs one and only Son."

The main point in that text is "whoever believes in him is NOT condemned." So don't let the enemy trick you into believing some crazy foolishness that will have you saying something out loud into the atmosphere that will manifest into reality. Speak life over all situations, including your friends, family and even over people you don't know. 

We as Christians also have to be cautious of what plans we say out loud because we don't know who may be listening. The bible says that the enemy is like a "roaring lion searching for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8) so that means if he knows what you're trying to do, of course he's going to try to ruin it. The positive is that he has no power, so if it's in God's will it doesn't matter what the enemy tries to do. However, sometimes things are better left unsaid around certain people or out loud. Keep some of your plans, visions, dreams, and goals to yourself until it's the right time to release it - because if it's too soon someone or something may try to come in and mess it all up. 

I heard on the radio the other day, "if God can handle EVERY thing that's going on in the world what makes me think that He can't handle my little situation?" Good point. 

Use your words wisely people. They can be powerful in ways that you'd never imagine. It's like the old saying, "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all".

"Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues." - Proverbs 17:28

God bless!

For more on "what you say" - check out James 3 {click here} 

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Also, if you haven't already made the decision to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, I suggest that you make that decision today! 

"If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9

After that -- join a good faith based Bible based church -- get baptized -- read The Word everyday! Pray everyday! Trust me, I did it. It's still and will forever be the best decision that I have ever made in life!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about the faith. 

Let's figure it out together with God. livingoutvisions@gmail.com