In the first blog we talked about what we say, what we confess. This is very important. For one thing, we are warned that death and life are in the power of the tongue, as it says in Prov 18:21. Jesus said in Matthew 12:37 that by our words we are justified or condemned.
Words are powerful. Here’s an example. When doctors diagnose us, they are just doing their job, what they are trained to do to try and help us. But in another sense depending on what they find, it’s almost like a curse. Don’t necessarily believe that what they say is the final diagnosis. Pray about it and ask God about the diagnosis, don’t just blindly accept it as final! Then believe for total healing! Declare the Word. For example, when I once saw the extent of my husband's medical records, I felt compelled to pray over him. I prayerfully broke every diagnosis and unknown curse of every word having to do with ill health ever spoken over him. After that, all sickness or illness having to do with his medical files, went away. Similarly, we can pray over ourselves, and break every word we or someone else ever said about us that did not align with Scripture re: our many healing promises.
We need to rebuke negative confessions whether it was said by a doctor or not. What have we got to lose? And if you catch yourself saying, “I’ll never get over this, or feel well again,” stop yourself. Instead say, “By His stripes I am healed, and/or He sent forth His word and He healed me.” Or any other number of Scriptures and believe, and thank God for healing you in advance, even if you still feel lousy or feel the pain. Don’t give up!
Today’s blog is about taking control of our destiny by taking control of our thoughts. We do this by choosing what we think, say, and act on. Yes, I said choosing! We don’t have to be a victim of negative thoughts. We can learn to control our thoughts, and I’ll tell you how to do that. In James 3, we see that our words direct our destinies. Let’s read carefully the following scripture.
Taming the Tongue
Jas 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Jas 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Jas 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jas 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Jas 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Wisdom from Above
Jas 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jas 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
We choose and are also responsible and accountable for what we think, say, and eventually believe. No one forces our thoughts. But If we struggle with our thoughts or we think negatively because of someone else we live with who may be depressed or chronically negative, we need to pray. God will intervene and help us. Also, we can be practical, and ask for help or offer to get help for ourselves and/or loved ones. There are many caring and trustworthy ministers who offer free counselling and will pray with you and support you through difficulties. Don’t suffer alone. Seek help if you need to. It’s all about the choices we make. I have been greatly helped by Godly counsel when I felt down and depressed. It’s a very wise decision to seek help when we know we can’t fight something alone. God created us to need one another, and this time of the pandemic is no exception. In fact, we need each other even more!
Let’s look at how we can change how we think: I love this next verse:
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Think about it! That’s how much power there is in the Word of God our Creator! He knows us and what we need! We need to fill up on His Word!
Listen carefully to what Jesus said to Satan when Satan was tempting him with food after He had fasted for 40 days:
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Wow! Why do you think Jesus said that? Because He knew physical food was not enough for us. He created us to have fellowship with Him, and He knows exactly what is good for us, what we need and when we need it! He is our loving Heavenly Father and He wants the very best for us!
If you want to have positive faith-filled thoughts, here is my advice: Shut off the news. I question the accuracy of many things on the news nowadays. And much of it is sensationalism, to get us to listen and incite some kind of emotion. Usually it is not happiness. Instead, it will often invite fear and anxiety and, at least for me, bring you down. Build up your faith instead by reading and hearing the Word. The Bible is positive. God wants to comfort us at this time and give us each a big hug and assure us all is well and all will be well.
So How do we increase our faith? - by hearing the Word of God - saturate yourself with it!
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
At this time of being at home to social distance - again, turn off the TV. Instead, listen to the Bible on your iPhone or pc. Download e-sword or another audio Bible ap that will read you the Bible. Play it while you cook or work. It will seep into your mind and heart. You don’t have to stop everything to listen. Your subconscious will take it in.
Stay tuned for the next inspiring blog, the third in our series about faith.
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