Does It Matter What we Say? - Part 2

In a previous blog, Does it Matter What we Say?  I talked about going beyond just reading the Word of God, and to start verbally speaking it out loud.  So in this blog, I'd like to talk about the ability and power of the Word of God that can change us, alter our outlook, and change the world in which we live, and do so all according to God's will for our lives.  I'd also like to discuss how, as Bible-believing and professing Christians, we can partner with God through agreeing with His Word, and how this changes our prayer life, our relationship with Jesus, and increases our faith. 

I also shared how God's Word is "living" and active."  It is a "living Word."  The Word tells us in Romans 12:2 that it has the ability to transform us from what we are now, to what God intends us to be in Him.  We start with salvation where we are forgiven, cleansed, our sins pardoned, and our assured eternal destiny in heaven.  Although this is phenomenal in and by itself, our salvation comes with many additional benefits, such as living a victorious life over the flesh, the world and the devil, wisdom, health, and living the abundant life that He promised us, and so on (the number and magnitude of His promises are really staggering if you look them all up).

So what happens when we feel we are not really living the abundant and prosperous life that we have been promised in God's Word?  I think a few things have happened.   We have spent less time in God's Word, and in prayer, and we have not affirmed and repeated the many appropriate Scriptures of promise enough times every day to let it really sink in!  So when we become too busy, or too tired, we lose out on all that God intends for us to have.  We start to live by how we feel, rather than on what God's Word says.  Think back to how you got saved.  Were you relying on your feelings to determine the course of your life and destiny, or did you rely on the truth of God's Word, believe His Words are true, and then accept Him into your heart?  Didn't you notice an almost immediate change?  Your thoughts changed, your desires changed, your life changed!  At least I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that mine did!

When we do start to spend the time in the Word, and verbally affirming it and confessing it, we begin to change as it says we will in Romans 12:2.  We begin to see the results of what we believe according to the Word of God, and of course, the will of God.  When we confess something, things happen.  We actually become what we confess that we are.  Our body reacts, our mind changes, our feelings change. Things happen in the spiritual realm.  Our words go forth and "accomplish" what we say, both good and bad. 

As a rule, we need to affirm verbally what we have and who we are in Christ every day and perhaps several times a day.  Here are some verses to refer to and affirm when we are faced with various difficulties:

By our confession, we are healed: 

 James 5:16    Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

When we are ill, we need to affirm the following verse:

Isa 53:5    But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Similar to Matthew 16:19, our words can bring deliverance or keep us in slavery to sin, sickness, and everything else that the devil throws our way.  When we feel bound by something, or oppressed, we need to affirm the following:

Mat 18:18    Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

2Co 3:17    Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Joh 8:36    If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Our words can bring encouragement where discouragement reigns:

Rom 8:37    Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Our words will put our confidence in the Lord to supply all of our material needs:

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

When we are feeling weak and unable to do something, we need to confess:

Php 4:13    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 Agreeing with the Word of God

In my course of reading a book about the importance of what we confess and profess, I had not previously thought about whether the words I speak are in agreement with God's Word or not.  How could I expect God to answer my prayers if they are pathetically lacking in faith in Him, and I really don't believe He hears, and He will answer me?  How do you feel if someone you truly care about asks you for something, but they only half-heartedly believe you will provide it for them (even if you've always been faithful to provide for them), when clearly it is your pleasure to give them what they need?  Would you still want to give it to them?  Here's what Jesus says:

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

In a relationship, it is very difficult to thrive when you are in constant disagreement.  It says so in the Word:

Amo 3:3    Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

We need to be in agreement with God's Word and with Him, and we do so when we agree with what His Word says.  In the following verse, we see that when two people agree on something in prayer, it shall be done!  So do not be afraid to call a friend when you need prayer.

Mat 18:19    Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus has said this verse somewhere else before, and he emphasizes, "Again I say unto you," to drive home the point.  He says if "two of you shall agree."  Agree with what?  We receive an answer when we agree with God's Word, and with God's will.  What are the criteria?

 Joh 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

We must abide in Jesus, and digest His Word, and not just take a passing interest in it.  When we confess God's Word as right and altogether true, we come into agreement with God's Word.  We will become what we confess.  If, for example, we go around believing we are tired and weak all the time, we will most likely remain in that state.  We must rise well above our feelings, and agree with the Word of God.  What does God's Word say to us in each difficult situation we face?   I have given you several examples above.  For every situation we face, there are verses we can say and claim as our own until we truly believe we are what God's Word says we are, and we receive what He says we already have!  This is truly how faith works.  So we need to get into the habit of affirming and agreeing with God's Word over ourselves, our loved ones, and for whatever purposes God has set before us.  May we do so today and without delay, and continue to do so every day.  What a wonderful change we're going to see!