Thoughts and Words: Vessels of Wisdom and Power
Your words, my words, our words carry so much weight. We’re inclined to believe that what we are thinking must be said. Although our thoughts are powerful, we must evaluate and take inventory of our thoughts. Often times our thoughts are not the best. They may not reveal our true intent nor reflect our true character.
Think about it a moment… Have you ever said something quickly, and thought about it later? While thinking about it, you realize you could’ve communicated it in a better way or if you needed to say it at all. I know, I am surely guilty of this. I’ve thought on numerous occasions, man that really didn’t come out right. Or, boy I really didn’t have to say that it wasn’t necessary.
On top of that our words have the ability to lead us down a path of living out the very words we say aloud. See, the word of God expresses,
“You have what, you say”.
Your words can propel you into your destiny or derail your future.
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverb 18:21)
Have you been around a person that speaks negatively about themselves on a regular basis? Have you seen their life and seen the very fruit of their negative words lived out.
They’re consistently saying:
I can’t do that
That’s impossible
I don’t deserve that
I’ll never get married
I’ll never land my dream job
I’ll never get that opportunity
Others are always getting blessed, what about me
I’ll never be able to afford that
Even things like:
I’m getting old
I feel bad, this hurts, that hurts
My mind ain’t right
He gets on my nerves
I’m sick and tired of you
I can’t stand you
You make me sick
The list can go on and on…
These words, phrases or spoken in an atmosphere which have the ability to take root and bear fruit one day.
We the opportunity to speak life or death over ourselves, others, and our situation.
(Proverbs 18:21) “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Often, I believe we are left in the dark on the importance of the words that come out of our mouth. I’m not sure about you, but I thank the Holy Spirit for stopping me in my tracks when I begin to speak something contrary to what the word of God says about others and my situation. The word mentions in 1Peter 3:10, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.” Many of us may be past the lying stage or avoided it all together, which is wonderful! However, we may struggle with keeping our tongue from speaking evil or anything that doesn’t line up with the word of God.
Knowing the word of God is extremely helpful and beneificical when taking inventory over your thought life and your words.
“More word of God more power, less word, less power.”
Jesus gives you the power to live right, the power to walk right, the power to talk right, the power to overcome, the power to call things that,“be not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17) The way we understand this scripture isn’t “name it and claim it” it’s not a shallow scripture. The scripture reiterates the promise that God made with Abraham speaking that he would have a son at 100yrs old and Sarah’s womb which it says was dead would open up. See, scripture explains that “it was credited to him as righteousness”. He didn’t waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuade that God had power to do what he had promised.”
See, Abraham was credited righteousness not because he was this perfect man. His relationship with God is what solidified his righteousness (right standing with God). The righteousness of God is a free gift given to those who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. Only with Jesus can we live out a life filled with his glory. Relationship with Jesus will help us in our communication. He doesn’t expect us to do it alone. Abraham didn’t do it alone; he waited on the promise through walking it out with God.
Bishop Dale C. Bronner says, “thoughts create words; words produce acts; acts form habits; habits shape character and character molds destiny.” He goes on to say, “you might not be able to control the thoughts that come but you can control the ones that stay.”
The word of God advises us, “Do not let any wholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their need, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Eph 4:29)
Psalm 19:14, says, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord my rock, and my redeemer.”
Psalm 141:3 says, set a guard over my mouth, Lord: keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Proverbs 13:3 says, the one who guards his mouth (thinking before he speaks) preserves his life; one who opens wide (and chatters without thinking) his lips come to ruin.”
Proverb 26:20 says, “A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends”
Matthew 12:36-37 says, “But I tell you on the day of judgement people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak. For by your words [reflecting your spiritual condition] you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin: and by your words [reflecting Me] you will be condemned and sentenced.”
Kinda harsh, but brings conviction and correction, Proverbs 29:20, “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than him.”
There are many scriptures on the tongue, thoughts, and words. Which tells me the importance of our thoughts and the words we speak.
Just because you think it doesn’t mean you should speak it..
“We cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:4-5)
Speaking words that are contrary to the word of God can set us up for failure. If you haven’t searched the word and learned God’s promises for you, you’re missing the so much truth. The words that come from your mouth have the ability to uplift, encourage, withstand, overstand, and edify. However, there are also thoughts and words that can tear down, become defeating, keep you limited in your thinking, believing and stir up doubt.
Using your words and aligning your thoughts with what Jesus says will not only change your belief, but it will also change your mind. You then give yourself permission to believe the right thing concerning your situation, revealing that God has the last say so.
(Proverbs 16:9)
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
“Believe, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things (center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart).” (Phil 4:8)
“But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves.” (2Cor 4:7)
We are his vessel, vessels of light in dark places. We have the authority to call out, even those dark places in us. Those places that limit our thoughts and have us speaking untruth over ourselves and situations. The places on the inside that we haven’t totally given to Jesus. As the word explains in our human frailties, we have the goodness of God who gives us hope, and through his power all things are possible.
Let’s align our words with the promises God has for us in his word and speak that in place of anything contrary.
