Today’s post will explain to us more, on the needs to take caution while speaking.

When speaking especially as a believer, you have to be very careful. Last week, we discussed how the words of a man could ensnare him and how the enemy is waiting for us to slip at every point in time. However, it is not until you outrightly confess a negative thing that you are guilty of using your tongue unwisely. A subtle but very dangerous way to use your tongue is by confessing the words/ phrases such as “I can’t”. These words do not just limit you, they give off an impression of how you envision God. You’d hear people say things like “I can’t love him/ her” or “I can’t forgive that person”. Now, who says you can’t? When you speak things like this, you make it difficult for the fruit of the spirit such as love and joy (because unforgiveness steals your joy) to grow in you. In order words, you suppress the work of the Holy Spirit in you. Generally, such words tell of how much we limit God; of how much we feel the need of our own efforts rather than let the completeness of salvation be made manifest in us. [Proverbs 6:2 KJV; Galatians 5:22-25; Philippians 4:13 AMP]

In the Kingdom, we use our tongues to write our story. That is why Scripture tells us that if we decree a thing, it shall be established; we have such authority and such power to speak what we want, into existence. Which means we can speak good health and good finances and other good things of life into our lives. I remember sometime last month when the power plant in my school had a fault and so I “ran” away from school and decided to go home for the weekend. Before I left school, my dad called to tell me not to bother coming home because there had also been a power supply fault for a week, at home. I told him not to worry that the day I get home is the day the power supply would be restored. Lo and behold it happened and I remember a few similar occurrences too. That day, I joked saying “is this what power feels like?” To speak a thing and see it come to pass is a powerful thing and this power is what we have in Christ Jesus. [Job 22:28; Mark 11:23]

What would a teaching on the power of the tongue be without the mention of the word of God? Incomplete. Because as humans we tend to speak based facts and situations more than we do based on faith, there is a need to align ourselves constantly with what God’s word says. I mean, how easy is it to declare that power supply would be restored when there is clear evidence that the power plant is faulty? How easy is it to love everyone even those who hate you or to tell some who offended you greatly, “I forgive you?” This is why the psalmist said “thy word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against you” Psalms 119:11. When you study the word and have it grow in you, you will constantly be subjected to its checks and balances. For example, you would not find it easy saying “I can’t love” when you know the Holy Spirit lives in you and love is a fruit of the Spirit. You would find it hard confessing that a sickness could claim your life when you know that God says “with long life shall I satisfy you…” Psalms 91:16. The word of God is one of the greatest weapons that has been given to every believer and its use is not limited to war against principalities and powers. It is also useful in bridling the tongue. [Matthew 5:44; Psalms 91:16; 119:11; Hebrews 4:12]     

The tongue often proves to be quite tough to control. At first it may seem difficult to be extra cautious of what we say but total dependence on the Holy Spirit in us, would make it a lot easier. Don’t buy the lie that the things you say don’t matter because it is what it is, a lie. Watch your tongue, mind your speech.