I have been thinking much lately about the words I speak and how they truly reflect what is in my heart. Sometimes something will flow right out of my mouth, and then I stop and think, Why did I just say that? Brothers and sisters, as I have been pondering this, I shake my head thinking of how this very issue has been far too minimized amongst the body – so much so – that some continue to speak things that should have been cleaned up years ago. I am not really referring to harsh words or curse words or even slanderous gossip or things of that nature. Hopefully by now, most of us have a handle on that. I am referring more to words of bitterness or words of displeasure or complaint – basically, words that show either a bitter root in our hearts or just a pure lack of faith. I am beginning to more fully understand the power of these words and the actual things that are happening in our lives that are either brought upon or allowed because of the words we speak. It instills a fear in me to really seek lasting change in this area… right now. And then I always think of these words that Yahusha spoke ever so seriously: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37 We know that in the beginning, God spoke everything into existence, and He spoke into being every way that life would be sustained, including every process, every cycle, and every boundary. All of this was done by the power of His word. His Breath thrust forth, uttered into vibration, resulting in perfect creation. His Word did this… and we know that Yahusha is the Word (made flesh) and through Him all things were made. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3 My mind cannot fully comprehend the power of the spoken word of God. As the word says in Psalm 139:6… Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Then we try and fully understand that we were created in the image of this Almighty God who created all things, and we were given His breath which gave us life. That’s another marvelous truth that can be overwhelming! It is obvious that when the Father initially breathed His life into Adam and Eve, they had the fullness of His Spirit, which gave them everlasting life without death. Everything was perfect, including their communication and fellowship with Him. But once disobedience came, they chose the way of the flesh, and therefore, the fullness of the Spirit of God was no longer in charge. But praise our Heavenly Father that this is not the end of the story!! Knowing all things, He made a way from the beginning for us to receive again the fullness of the Breath of Life through His Son Yahusha (Jesus), where the Spirit can rule once again! Our being born again now by the Spirit of God through Yahusha fills us with the fullness of the Breath of God that is needed to place the flesh back into submission. Of course, we have an ongoing battle with the flesh, but as long as we are in full surrender and obedience, the Spirit will rule and the flesh will completely die… because the SPIRIT IS GREATER! This is what we are all yearning for and desiring as we live out our days here on this earth; this is our ultimate goal. I share this simply to make the point that we, as born-again, Spirit-filled believers, are now once again endowed with the power of the Spirit/Breath of God just as was in the beginning! This means that when utter forth words from our mouths, THEY HAVE POWER! Actually, words have power regardless! I am sure there are many who can say that they have been harmed by words spoken by people who were not spiritual at all, and the harm can last a long time until it is properly dealt with. But doesn’t it stand to reason that the words spoken by those filled with the Spirit of the Living God have extra power – His power?! He has given us this privilege, and when we misuse it, there are consequences. We face a great battle from the get-go. We know that it is out of our mouths that the issues of life flow, so whatever it is that resides in our hearts will flow out at some point, including the junk. Yahusha also said this at the same time He spoke the sobering words I shared at the beginning of this post. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Matthew 12:34-35 We know that the smallest member of our body, the tongue, has the power to drive the whole ship – and even on autopilot sometimes! And we also know that this little member is naturally full of venom and not easily tamed. We have all experienced its power over us, and it's not a pleasant reality! Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. James 3:3-6 This little part of our body has great influence not just in our own lives, but also in the lives of those around us. The words we speak can literally bring blessing or curses, whether they be direct words or even words of doubt or murmuring. Because we have been given authority by the Spirit of God to speak faith and life and truth with His power, we have great accountability when we choose to do otherwise. And doing otherwise is basically speaking out words that are either in disagreement with the Almighty and His promises or that are against Him and His will. This never ends well. Have you ever wondered why we sometimes choose to complain or murmur about a situation rather than go straight to the Father and ask Him to help us? If we are unable to speak forth His promises in the situation in faith, why can’t we at least go to Him in prayer asking for His wisdom and strength to help us first before we begin complaining and murmuring? It’s because the heart is full of something that has to get out, and it sometimes forcefully flows out in words with its own power – the power of flesh. This is exactly why Yahusha said that it what comes out of a man that defiles him. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Matthew 15:11 Because words usually come free-flowing from our hearts, we have to be so filled with the truth of the Father, that His words are what naturally come out. Unfortunately, this is not a simple process. It is not simple for us and it was not for those before us. But it is possible to get to this place if we really want it! Our Father is the one who will chastise us in love and place this overwhelming desire to fully cleanse the heart within us to where only the things of His Way will reside and flow out - through the power of his Son! If the desire is there, then we can rest assured that He will help us get there, for the desire is not of us but from Him! He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 As I have pondered this issue for the last few weeks, I’ve thought of some specific examples from those who walked before us. These examples just reiterated to me the unquestionable seriousness of what we speak. Our words can and will literally determine our path and future as well as those with whom we share our words. We are so blessed to have examples all through the Word to show us the way to avoid and the way to go. And although punishment seemed quite immediate back in these times, let us not think that we may not suffer likewise. Our God is fully merciful, but He also does not change. The first example I thought of was the Israelites in the wilderness. They had just witnessed the most incredible miracles in Egypt and then the greatest escape of all time, in the form of their perfect baptism. They were so in awe of the greatness of their God that they sang the most beautiful song of praise to Him. But then, it didn’t take but a few days when they began to experience thirst and hunger that they began to speak out. As I thought of this, I thought that I too would have begun wondering and even worrying if days had gone by with no food or water, especially in the wilderness where only barrenness was the landscape. As the discomfort set in, why did they not go to the Father, the one who had just miraculously saved them, and ask Him to provide? Did they not believe that He would do all He said He would do? Instead, they immediately began to speak words of murmuring and complaining, ultimately to the point of mocking Him and questioning His motives for bringing them out of Egypt. What was in their hearts to allow these offensive words to flow so freely? Oh how this must have hurt the Father. This not only hurt the Father, but it provoked Him to anger. And in His anger, His hand was lifted and the blessings negated. His blessings… And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26 And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. Exodus 23:25-27 His anger… And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. Numbers 11:1 And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague. Numbers 11:33 In another example, Miriam (the sister of Moses) who had previously lead a beautiful song of praise unto the Father after his miraculous deliverance of Israel in the Red Sea, began to murmur with Aaron against Moses regarding his Ethiopian wife. They also questioned whether the Father had only spoken to Moses and implied that He had also spoken to them (which was obviously not the case). In this example, their words expressed against the chosen prophet of the Most High angered the Father and once again reversed the blessings. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. Numbers 12:10 In a final example, we see a contrast between those who speak words of faith and are determined to act upon them, and then we see those who lack faith and speak only words of fear and doubt in the Father’s ability to fulfill His word. When the Father told Moses to send men to search out the land of Canaan (the land He gave as a blessing to the children of Israel), the 12 men came back with differing reports. Ten of them had an evil report, so negative that it caused the entire congregation to mourn and murmur. Only two spoke fully in faith believing everything the Father had promised regarding the land. Look at the difference in the fate of these men: The 10: Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it… Numbers 14:22-23 Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the Lord. Numbers 14:37 The two: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. Number 14:24 But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still. Numbers 14:38 These examples are so blatant and clear for us, and they serve as a means to teach us. The consequences of mishandled and misspoken words can be so great that we cannot afford to take it lightly. Some of you may have already mastered this through Yahusha, and for that praise His name!! I myself have not fully tamed my tongue, and I know there are still things lingering in my heart that is making it difficult. This is not acceptable and is currently driving me to earnestly seek the mind, the strength, and the love of Yahusha to help me overcome. I long to get to the point where the truth so permeates my heart that it rules my words, regardless of the situation. If we are facing a terrible challenge or trial, then the words we speak must either be in request of help from the Father or words of resolution and hope through Christ. We can no longer allow the pain or frustration of the trial, coupled with the fear, doubt, or even bitterness in our hearts, to guide the words we speak. Our words will determine what shall be, because they represent what we truly believe. And because our ultimate goal is to be conformed into the image of the Son of God and to be with Him for all of eternity, our words must be in agreement with this, in full assurance of faith, in every way. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalm 15:1-2 Father, we pray that you will help us believe, live, and speak only your words as consistently and faithfully as your Son did. This is only possible in your mercy and strength through Yahusha. All praise and glory to You, for we know that you know our desires and will grant our request!
0 Comments
I am lead to share this short post with you as encouragement. This was so very encouraging to me, and I know that in these last, unstable and unpredictable days, we all need it! Let it bring you the peace it is meant to... As I was listening to a video earlier about the coming food shortage, I glanced down at the comments, and the very first one grabbed my eyes and attention. As I read it, it immediately quickened in my spirit to the point I began repeating it with emotion: Pray without ceasing. I am often sorrowful. But I am never afraid. The Lord is my Shepherd. These few words from a perfect stranger reasonsated so strongly within me that I continued to repeat the words and pray. These were such beautiful words that portray the perfect peace that comes from a soul who is fully immersed in faith in the only One who can provide... the only One who can protect... and the only One who can save.. of course, the King, Yahusha ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). I can only imagine how those confidently but yet surrendered spoken words blessed the soul of the One spoken of!! Immediately after this, I began to read a devotional called Day by Day that was created by a woman (Delores E. Couplant) who takes both scripture, along with words preached by the late Charles Spurgeon, and then writes very beautiful, spirit-lead descriptions of the Savior. As the cover of the book states, she focuses solely on "the love and loveliness of Jesus". The devotional for today, July 2, started with a scripture focus from John 18:8: If you seek Me, let these go their way. As soon as I read the scripture, I focused on the words, "let these go their way". I felt the peace that the disciples must have felt knowing that the Divine King, their Creator and Maker, had spoken those words for them. I felt the comfort of His words, knowing that they had the power to protect them from all harm, despite the fact Yahusha was about to be taken away to be tortured and killed. This immediately linked me back to the video comment and the peace that exuded from the words. I then read all of John 18 and the devotional content. I had no idea what the focus of the devotional would be, but of course, the Father did! He had a blessing of encouragement for me, and as we know, some blessings are meant to be shared! The following is the devotional content: If you seek Me, let these go their way. John 18:8 These words of Jesus were like coats of armor that concealed the wearers from their enemies. Under the shield of these words, the disciples walked securely through the midst of the boisterous mob that was gnashing their teeth at Christ and laughing at Him, revealing their savage malice. The disciple John, standing at the foot of the cross, did not have even a hair on his head touched. The word of Jesus proved to be a royal word -- a divine word -- and men were constrained to obey it. It was a word, not only guarding the disciples at that time, but since no Scripture is of any private interpretation, it was also a royal passport given to all Christ's people in the ways of providence. However, mystically understood, the words have a far deeper meaning. The true seizure of Christ was not by the Romans nor by the envious Jews, but by our sins. The true deliverance given to the disciples was not from Roman weapons, but from the penalty of our sins. O Christian, if your sins are tormenting you, hear the voice of Jesus: "If you seek Me, let these go their way." The law of God comes out to seek us who have violated it; and it has many and just demands against us. But Jesus, who stood in our place, puts Himself before the law, and says, "Do you seek Me? Here I am, but when you take me prisoner, let these -- in whose place I stand -- go their way." When the law met with the Lord Jesus and made Him its servant and constrained Him to bear its penalty, all of CHrist's people were absolutely and forever set free. Jesus Christ then, as He stands before the law, and is bound by the law, and is flogged by the law, and is crucified by the law, and is buried by the law, say to you who trust in Him, "Go your way, the law cannot touch you. It has smitten me instead." O Christian, since Christ has obeyed the law and has also suffered its penalty, you may now rejoice in the law as a gracious rule of life. It is not a yoke of bondage to you, for you are not under the law, but under grace. And I also share that although we are not "under the law", the love we have for our Lord and Savior compels us to obey Him and His commands and to walk as He did. And no, it is never a yoke of bondage for us, for His yoke is always easy and His burden is always light! Alleluyah!! I pray that all of these words shared in this post will inspire peace and joy and assurance within your spirit! We know that we do not ever have to be burdened or afraid, for HE IS OUR GREAT SHEPHERD who will never leave us or forsake us and who has clearly paved the way for us to walk in complete freedom, provision, and protection! Great is His faithfulness! I leave you with an excellent song of praise about this very thing! |
Special NoteThese writings are written in love and a spirit of servitude. They are not designed to judge but make us think. We are all sinners in need of saving, and we all need encouragement and absolute truth to endure on the narrow road to sanctification and ultimately eternal life. Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
|