By Tom Dill – Associate Pastor
There is a quick answer to the question of that title (hint: it’s what you use to speak!).
Our mouth indicates what we believe. Our speech will tell us what path we are on—whether we are on a path that tends to righteous thoughts and actions or if we are about to step off into trouble.
Jesus said to his disciples that the words he spoke were (and still are) spirit and life.
“It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63 NKJV
The Bible tells us that words bring life or death.
“A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20-21 NKJV
James chapter three talks about the destruction that the uncontrolled mouth brings about.
No wonder King David asks for supernatural intervention to protect what he said – he asks twice in one verse!
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NKJV
In James, we also learn that the mouth cannot be controlled by man alone. He needs HELP!
God gave mankind the ability to speak, which is designed to be a blessing. Speaking and using words give us authority in the kingdom.
Access to the Kingdom
Our mouth gives us access to his kingdom by our confession of Jesus as Lord. Before it is available to have salvation, one must first confess Jesus as Lord.
That’s the way the kingdom operates. We confess before we receive. We do not receive and then confess.
“But what does [the Scripture] say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach); that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.’” Romans 10:8-10 NKJV
Jesus reminds his disciples of this in Mark.
“For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Therefore I say unto you, what things soever you desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:23-24 KJV
In order for us to declare and decree His promises, we need to hide the Word in our hearts.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I may not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord; Teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.” Psalm 119:11-13 KJV
Image by honorbound in Flickr.
How Does This Relate to Money?
As I attempted to weave the topic of money into this post, I wanted to address our mindset toward finances and just how much we think the Lord should be involved.
When the Gentiles were grafted in, I believe the concept of covenant thinking in their culture was missing.
Unfortunately, I think it is still not enough of a part of our way of living.
“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” Ephesians 2:12 KJV
Do you suppose that God wants us in authority over all the earth but not over money? I understand that prosperity is not all about money, but it certainly plays a major role.
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2 KJV
“A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.” Ecclesiastes 10:19 KJV
“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22 KJV
Do we consider his Word as covenant promises? If so, have we done our part?
“Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in His house: and his righteousness endureth forever.” Psalm 112:1-3 KJV
Fight For Your Promise!
Do we fight for the promises? Years ago, when I started to see some of the promises in the Scripture, I became very excited about what God had done for me and wanted to share more about it.
When I got an opportunity to preach, I wanted people to see what I was seeing. I was quite surprised at the response. There were a few that became excited, but the opposition was extreme.
I was ignorant of the religious spirit and the poverty spirit that work overtime to keep people oppressed. I became discouraged and found it much easier to preach other topics. I have had to apologize to God for not standing up for what I believe is the truth.
God is the one who gives us the power to get wealth!
“Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’
And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8: 17-18 NKJV
He needs us to receive His promises, so that he may establish His covenant! So let’s speak His Word and prosper!