Words are the building blocks that pave the road to our destiny. Words shape and determine our thinking; our thinking shapes and determines our emotions; our emotions shape and determine our decisions; our decisions shape and determine our actions; our actions shape and determine our habits; our habits shape and determine our character and our character shapes and determines our destiny. “From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Pro 18:20-21).
Words – Thinking – Emotions – Decisions – Actions – Habits – Character – Destiny
The Power of Spoken Words
In Genesis Chapter 1, we find thirty-one verses. In twenty-six of them, God was at work creating the world. In eighteen of those twenty-six verses God uses His mouth to release His creative power. God spoke words and used them to:
1. Shape, create or manifest. (Gen. 1:1-31)
2. Show His pleasure, approval, disapproval, and anger. (Gen 1:4; Isa 54:8; Jer 4:4)
3. Show His love and compassion. (Luke 7:13)
4. Call us into relationship with Him. (Mat 4:19; Luke 19:10)
5. Save us from sin and death. (Mat 10:22; Mark 16:16; Luke 11:9; John 10:9)
6. Heal and restore us. (Mark 5:34,10:52; Luke 18:42)
7. Show us His will and plans for us. (Mat 16:18-19)
8. Speak truth, revelation, wisdom, and discernment into our lives. (2Ti 3:16)
9. Teach, instruct, convict, correct, or discipline us. (John 14:26; Gal 1:12)
10. Bless and empower us to succeed and prosper in every area of our lives. (Gen 1:22, 12:2-3; Mat 5:3-11) or they establish a curse and set us up for failure (Deu Chapters 27 and 28)
Key Verses Regarding the Spoken Word
1. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
2. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
3. “But what does it say?’ The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:8-9).
4. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17).
5. “But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,’ we also believe, therefore we also speak” (2Co 4:13).
6. “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psa 141:3).
7. “With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Pro 18:20-21).
8. “Then Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her” (Luke 1:38).
Words are Supernatural Tools
Both God and Satan exercise power through spoken words (Gen 1:26, 3:4-5). God’s words are true, eternal, and unchanging and the Bible is living word (John 1:14). Satan’s words are twisted truth, lies, and deception (Gen 3:4-5). The childhood expression: “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but WORDS can never hurt me” is a powerful lie used by Satan to cause hurt, pain, divorce, sickness, and death. Words are powerful spiritual containers that contain the rich substance of our faith (Rom 10:17). Words are the fundamental elements of our faith which activate God’s kingdom laws (Isa 55:11). Our words are foundational and express both our faith and trust in God and in His Word or our unbelief, doubt and lack of trust in God.
Our Mouth is a Divine Instrument
As children of God, created in His image, our mouths are a divine instrument given to us by God to exercise the authority and dominion that Adam and Eve were given in the garden of Eden and should be used to manifest God’s Word in our lives (Mat 17:20). We must:
1. Speak God’s Word to release the power He has given us (thinking is not enough) (Act 4:31).
2. Confess and declare our faith with our mouths (Mat 10:32; Luke 12:8).
3. Speak out loud when we pray and bring our petitions before God (Mark 11:23-24).
4. Praise and worship the Lord (Psa 150:6).
5. Express or ask for forgiveness and repentance (Act 10:43).
Speak blessings, not curses
Our daily lives are filled with words, and through them we speak either blessings or curses (Pro 18:20-21; James 3:10). Become aware of the words you speak. Remember, speaking blessings over yourself and others encourages, motivates and empowers us to succeed (Pro 28:20). Speaking curses over yourself or others discourages and empowers us to fail. (Jer 11:3, 17:5).
Sample Word Phrase: “I can do this. I will not fail.” (BLESSING)
1. WORDS: I can do this. I will not fail (Php 4:13).
2. THINKING: I know God wants only the best for me. I know He will help me and show me what to do. I trust Him to provide the tools or resources I need to be successful at all times (Isa 41:10).
3. EMOTIONS: I feel excited. I am not afraid or anxious. I am confidant and hopeful. I am humbled by this opportunity and grateful to God for opening this door (Psa 10:17).
4. DECISIONS: I’ve decided to accept the new job/promotion/transfer. I have decided that I will not walk in fear and doubt and unbelief (2Ti 4:7).
5. ACTIONS: “John, you have been the best boss I ever had and I really appreciate all you do for me. I’ve decided to accept your offer regarding the promotion. I can start right away. I promise I will do my best and prove that you can count on me. Thank you for believing in me and giving me this opportunity” (Psa 37:4, Col 3:23).
6. HABITS: I’ll get up early everyday and spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, acknowledging Him in all I do so that He will direct and guide me. I commit to “Be still” and ask the Holy Spirit to help me when I don’t know what to do. I’ll arrange my schedule so I can study and learn what I need to learn. I will ask questions when I don’t know something. I’ll be open to feedback at all times. I am not afraid. I commit to live by faith, trusting and relying on the Lord (Psa 46:10, John 14:16-17).
7. CHARACTER: I will not separate my faith walk from my business life. I am a person who can be counted on. I walk in integrity. I will speak the truth at all times and in a loving way. I lead my emotions, I do not let them control or lead me. I have peace and joy in my life. I know that I am a child of God and I have rights to the promises in the Covenant of Abraham. My actions will be proof that Christ is alive within me. I walk in boldness and expectant hope because I have learned to renew my mind and live in the world as a man/woman of faith without conforming to the world’s way of doing things (Heb 8:10).
8. DESTINY: I am living the life God intended for me. I am walking out His divine calling for my life (Eph 4:10).
Sample Word Phrase: “I can’t. This is beyond my ability.” (CURSE)
1. WORDS: I can’t do this. This is beyond my ability.
2. THINKING: I don’t know how to do this. I have never done this before. I don’t even know where to start. I don’t have the tools or resources I need to be successful. This is a waste of time.
3. EMOTIONS: I feel so anxious. I am afraid of failing. I am embarrassed to ask my boss and co-workers for help. I feel guilty and ashamed of myself for not finishing college and learning this when I had the chance. I feel worthless and defeated.
4. DECISIONS: I’ve decided that I’m not going to do this. I am not going to accept the promotion. I am going to just say, “No. At least I know what to expect.”
5. ACTIONS: “John, you have been the best boss I ever had and I really appreciate all you do for me, but I have decided to just stay where I am. I am not taking the promotion. I promise I will keep my mouth shut and not complain. I will keep doing my job just like before. It is what I know and what I am comfortable with. Thanks for thinking of me.”
6. HABITS: I need to settle for what I have. Everybody is not cut out to be a supervisor (team lead, manager). I’m going to just keep doing what I have always done. I am not going to take any risks or stick my neck out.
7. CHARACTER: I have to accept that I don’t have what it takes. I’m not a risk-taker. I don’t have the desire to do more. I’m comfortable just where I am.
8. DESTINY: I have many regrets in my life. I wish my life could have been more. If only. . .
Self Reflection and Application
Our words reflect our fundamental beliefs. Either we trust God and His Word or we don’t. Commit today to trust God, His Word and His promises. Speak His Word over your life. Make sure your words agree or align with His. Remember, the words we speak shape our destiny and impact those around us. Based on the information presented above, take a few minutes to ask yourself:
1. Am I aware of the words I speak regularly over my life?
2. Do I speak what I believe? Whose words do I listen to the most ─ God’s, Satan’s or other people’s?
3. Do I confess and declare God’s Word over my life daily?
4. Do I speak blessings or curses over myself, my family, and others?
5. What changes do I need to make in terms of the words I speak to myself and others?
Gary L. Selman is an accomplished author, executive coach and motivational speaker. He has spent over thirty five years pursuing his calling, encouraging, mentoring and equipping others to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God and to become compassionate, faithful and disciplined servant leaders. Gary and his wife Karen are founders of the First Call Advisory Group, which ministers to business owners, corporate executives and entrepreneurs. Gary holds a Master's Degree in Clinical & Community Psychology from Stephen F. Austin University. He can be reached at gary@yourfirstcall.net
The Power of Words
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