Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, “Cursed be the man before the Lord who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates.” — Joshua 6:26
In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the Lord, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun. —1 Kings 16:34
This short record of Joshua’s words after the defeat of Jericho says so much about the words we speak.
Our words when spoken under the direction of the Lord have great power. It does not matter how long ago the words were spoken, when mixed with faith, whatever was said will happen.
God honors His own words and whatever He says, He does. Searching through the Scriptures, men spoke and God honored their words.
- The dreams Joseph and others had which he interpreted all happened as he said
- Moses spoke to Pharaoh according to God’s instruction and whatever he said would happen to Egypt happened.
- Whatever Jacob blessing was to his twelve sons, or Moses, Joshua and others prophesied to Israel came to pass
- The words Jesus spoke to us have and continue to unfold before our eyes today
It is wonderful to know that God honors what we say. However, we should be careful what speak since our words produce life or death (Proverbs 18:21). The daily conversation we have with others and with the Lord shape our destiny and the future of those who we speak of either negatively or positively.
The fact is your words:
- Shape your life
- Have power
- Can change your world
- Impact other people’s lives
- Bring healing or hurt
- Create life or death
- Determine the course of your life
You choose what you get by what you say. Therefore choose your words carefully.
If you choose living words, then you must also have confidence about what you say. Can you imagine commanding to the sun and the moon to stand still and they do (Joshua )? You can only command great things if you’re confident that God will make it happen. But sometimes we think that our words don’t have an effect or that God does not hear them. Even if we prayer, speak, command we lack the faith that by our very words God will act for us. Sometimes our expectation is so low and does not match what we say. But powerful words can move a huge mountain (Matthew 17:20).
Think about it this way: Jesus spent a major part of his ministry speaking – words, words, words and more words. To heal he spoke, to bless a child he spoke, to deliver someone he spoke, to teach the principles of the kingdom of God he spoke. In the midst of his teaching we learn that His words are life and are spirit (John 6:63). We read how every one of His words and actions were God-honored.
Since we stand as the representatives of the great God, created in His image, our words too are spirit and are life. And our words are those that God will honor. But remember; speak words of life to yourself and others. Choose life. Be a blessing through your speech.
What can we do to continually speak life-giving words to ourselves and others?