The scriptures reveal a great deal of information regarding our speech. In general the Bible says that our words should reveal truth not folly. Jesus said, “God’s Word is truth.” Our speech should be seasoned with God’s Word. Let’s begin by looking at Proverbs, a book that has much to say about speaking. We read in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” From the New Testament we read from Matthew 12:34, “… Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (v37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” These scriptures connect a specific outcome and belief in your heart to your words. A victorious Christian disciplines his words to reflect God’s truth rather than emotions or circumstances.
Jesus understood the importance of words to the life of faith when He spoke in Mark 11:23, “ But believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.” He addressed a spiritual principle: the belief in our heart and the words we speak must agree for them to come to pass. He also implied that our words determine our future. What kind of future do you desire? The words you use initiate the influences that determine the future. The context of Jesus statement is very clear. He refers to times when we face problems in life. He also is very clear about what to say. Jesus taught us to command that the mountain be removed. It is critical that our words agree with God’s Word. He did not say to complain to the mountain nor be afraid of the mountain. He did not say to reason the mountain away. But he did say to command it to be gone. Other scriptures support the concept of prophetic speaking. Proverbs 21:23, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his life from destruction.” To keep means to guard or protect from an enemy. This verse of scripture concludes that as we guard against wrong speaking, we guard against destruction. There are many such scriptures throughout the Bible and concrete examples to back them up. You might want to look at the speech of Daniel or David as he fought Goliath.
Is a person lying if he says I’m healed when there are symptoms of illness? I believe that when a person says, “I’m healed,” with symptoms present, he is speaking prophetically. He is speaking what God has promised will take place. Therefore, this statement is not a lie. In the context of scripture believing and speaking should be based on truth not physical evidence. This is hard for some to grasp. It is easier when you view speaking from God’s perspective not your own.
We read in Proverbs 13:3, “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that openeth his mouth shall have destruction. We need to be deliberate in speech not impulsive. David refers to the destructive speaking of Moses in Psalm 106:33, “Because they provoked his spirit, so that he (Moses) spoke unadvisedly with his lips.” Provocation usually breeds the wrong kind of speaking. Learn the art of keeping quiet when provoked and avoid speaking unadvisedly which will prohibit you from entering into your promises.
Your words are related to victory. The more you speak in line with the promise, the quicker you will overcome in a problem. Let your heart be filled with God’s Word and your conversation will line up with what God says. You will have a wonderful future!