So much power is in the spoken word that God created the world by speaking (Genesis 1). Though there was nothing to be seen but a mass of darkness, God called what didn’t exist into existence with His words (Romans 4:17). That same word power is available to us. When we speak, those words have the potential to shape everything around us.
Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. (James 3:4, 5)
You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways. (Job 22:28)
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)
A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. (Proverbs 18:20)
What we speak is what matters. We have the ability to speak good or evil, to build things up or tear things down. Whichever we choose, we will see it produce the same in our lives.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health. (Proverbs 12:18)
A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit. (Proverbs 15:4)
God commands us to speak good and not evil – what He says.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:10)
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised. (Hebrews 10:23)
Our “profession,” or confession, of our faith states what we believe. To confess means to “say the same thing as.” We are to say exactly what God says, lining up our words with His to see positive results. Saying anything less turns into an idle word, or a “curse,” that does not bless.
We all have situations in our lives that we would like to resolve or change. We want our children to be blessed and to grow up godly and healthy. If we choose to speak God’s word over them daily, we are speaking life into their present and future. It will change the course of their lives, just as the book of James tells us. It also puts up a guard against the devil and potential attacks.
The devil thrives on idle words, words that we may not mean literally, but say anyway (example: “That just kills me!”). He also notes the words we say that do not have faith attached to them. Faith is the key to making our God-words work. It’s possible to confess God’s Word, yet not see results, simply because we didn’t believe they would make a difference. We can go through the motions of saying them each day, but a doubt-free, believing heart is what God requires.
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)
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)
As Amaris was growing in my womb, I spoke words of life over her. “Baby, you are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. You are redeemed from sickness and disease, and will develop fully with nothing missing and nothing broken. You are redeemed from the curse of the law. We declare your eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, bones, heart, lungs, blood, and digestive system all functioning and developing normally. Baby, in Jesus Name, you will place yourself in perfect position for delivery when the time comes. You will be delivered healthy and strong, with no delivery trauma. You will be taught of the Lord and great shall be your peace, inside and outside of the womb. You will be peaceful in temperament, and will sleep well at night. You will take easily to breastfeeding. You will have a tender heart toward God from an early age.”
These faith-filled words were investments in Amaris’ present and future. Just like God’s Word promises, those words I spoke did not “return void.” Amaris was born healthy, complete, and strong with no delivery trauma. She has a happy disposition, took well to breastfeeding, and was sleeping through the night by the time she was three-months-old. I am confident that these words, and others, paved the way for God’s best delivery and a strong child.
God wants to do wonderful things in our children’s lives, but we have got to speak His life-giving words over them. Critical, frustrating words do not produce life. God’s Word, however, will build them up. Our faith-filled words, smothered with love, will change their lives forever!
Christa Madrid 