Many of us do not understand the power of our tongue. God created the heavens and the earth by speaking them into being. Genesis 1:27 says that God created mankind in His image, so our words have the power to create. Proverbs 18:20-21 says, “A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (KJV)
I heard a testimony from a man and wife who experienced a hurricane in Mississippi. The man said that the hurricane had originally been forecast to make landfall in the coastal town that they lived. Later, as the storm gathered strength at sea the weather forecasters said that it was headed for New Orleans. These people were not believers in the Word at the time of this hurricane and just spoke what they saw, including the fear they felt. The man remembered telling his wife, “You watch, that storm is fixing to turn and head straight for us. It is going to tear through here and destroy this town.” A few days later, the storm changed direction again and made a direct hit on their town. This couple's home was totally destroyed and so were many others in the area. You might say that surely one man alone could not have caused that storm to change directions. I wonder just how many others in that area were watching the weather forecast and saying the same thing. Our words have power, for good or bad. They have creative power.
In 2 Kings 6 & 7, we see that Syria besieged Samaria. There was great famine in Samaria and people were starving, even eating their children. Elisha, the man of God told the king to not worry and that by the following evening, the circumstances would be completely different. One of the king's advisors spoke up and said that what Elisha had said could not be true. Elisha answered his doubt by telling him that he would see their deliverance, but not be able to partake of it. The siege was over the next day. By the evening, food was abundantly available. The king's advisor was trampled to death as the people rushed to get food. Elisha's words had come to pass. The advisor had doubted God's word and so it was for him. Our words, good and bad, do have creative power.
I trust this will help you in your daily walk. If layoffs begin on your job, don't say that you will probably be the first to go. When the “flu season” is announced, and some at work are sneezing and coughing, do not say that you will be next to get sick.
Many of us can remember the boxing days of Muhammad Ali. He had about 60 professional fights. He lost to three men, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, and Larry Holmes. Why were these 3 men successful when more than 50 other boxers were not? They spoke differently than the others. When these 3 were interviewed before the fight they said, “I can beat Ali. I am going to whup him.” When the others were interviewed before the fight they would say, “Well, I am just so thankful that the champ has given me this opportunity. I will do my best. He is going to know that he was in a fight when it is over.” They had no confidence in their ability to win. Their words showed that they thought defeat, and they were defeated.
God wants to show us how to live and live well. (Isaiah 48:17) And as we follow His direction, He wants to show us off. (Isaiah 61:9, and 2 Corinthians 2:14) Change your thoughts=change your speech=change your life!
