We express our thoughts in words either in writing, verbally or in signs. God therefore created words for a purpose as part of his creation. Words have creative and destructive powers. God created the world by spoken words in Genesis 1. By his same words, he destroyed the earth. God said in Genesis 6: 7, I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created… for I regret that I have made them.
We have the power to bless or curse with words. God said to Abraham in Genesis 12: 3, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse. Due to the power in words, Jesus said in Luke 6: 28, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Paul also said in Romans 12: 14, bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Words used as vows
Words we speak in vows are live and sacred. Deuteronomy 23: 21 says, if you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. Delays admit contrary thoughts so, Deuteronomy 23: 23 says, whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.
Unfulfilled vows have consequences. Ecclesiastes 5: 4-6 say, when you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. Many setbacks stem from broken vows and avoidable delays which the bible describes as foolishness.
Nature of God’s word
When God speaks, he speaks his being to the situation. John 1: 1 says, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. God’s word is the same as God himself. We dialogue with God through reading his word. Therefore, those who reject the word reject God. The more we read his words, the better relationship we will have with him.
Through God’s word, we acquire a better knowledge and understanding of him. His truth is also revealed to us. John 17: 17 says, sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. God’s word heals and restores us by his Holy Spirit who is also our teacher and guide. Those who despise God’s word despise God’s truth and would be lost for Jesus said in John 8: 32, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Character of Satan’s word
Contrary to God’s word, Satan’s word is deceitful and lies to derail our destiny. The devil said to Jesus in Matthew 4: 3-9, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread… If you are the Son of God, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone… All this I will give you if you will bow and worship me.” The downfall of mankind through Adam came through Satan.
He misrepresents and misinterprets God’s word as the truth. 2Corinthians 11: 14 says, no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. It is therefore prudent to personally know the word of God so you are not misled. Throughout Jesus’ temptation, the devil misinterprets scripture to derail Jesus.
Ignorance of scripture
Genesis 3: 1-5 say, now the serpent (devil) was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman (Eve), “Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden?… You will not certainly die… for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Adam fell together with Eve from God’s plan because they fell for Satan’s misrepresentation. 1 Peter 5: 8 says, be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We become vulnerable when we are ignorant of the word. Hosea 4: 6 says, my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Without grounding in the world, we build in the sand and the foundation cannot withstand the tide when it comes. Is God’s word part of us?
Meditation
Jesus said in Matthew 15: 17-18; Mark 7: 19-20; Luke 15: 16-17… the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts- murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person. What words are we made of? May our words glorify Christ Jesus!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we confess to using words to destroy rather than to build. Wash our tongues in your blood and help us to utter only what the Holy Spirit directs. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you. Thank you Jesus for an answered prayer, Amen!!
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