God’s Side of Words Even while still in the womb there is an effect of words on the heart that will be the source for words that will eventually be spoken. That first word, usually “Momma” or “Dadda” is so exciting, especially for the one it refers to, as there is a sense that communication has begun, one of the defining abilities of humanity. From that first word, though, there will be a massive amount of words to follow that will increasingly reflect the input of information that has filled the heart. These words will carry the power to influence the surrounding world with either good or evil. Each word is then critical for establishing the nature of this effect. While it may seem that it doesn’t really matter what is said in idle chatter, gossip, and cursing, there is a consequence of either blessing or harm in every word spoken. Those who recognize this truth, honor, and love it are able to strategically choose those words that will produce the desired effect of their heart. This power of words is a very real and demonstrable truth, but there is another side of our words that will directly affect and align us either with or against God’s side. When the treasure of the heart takes on a belief in God, there will be a direct effect on the words that are spoken. No longer merely personal expressions that may or may not have a positive effect, words that come from belief in Him become faith words that will change things based on that new life inside. While every word is naturally significant, when the heart yields to truth from the Word, the importance of each expression of the heart becomes critical for fulfilling His purpose and desire in the world. The changes that will come by faith will require words of faith spoken from a heart safely secured in God’s Word. This will also require abhorrence of even the smallest expression in opposition to Him. Both pure and corrupt water cannot come from the same well. There is, then, one of the greatest of opportunities for us in the choice of God’s side in our words. Treasuring His Word in our hearts and refusing any input or outflow of content from the other side will be rewarded with the blessings of righteousness the world can never know. Notes When words are appreciated for their power – can become strategic with them. Proverbs 18:21 21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. What is known is revealed in spoken words Proverbs 10:31-32 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. Righteous identity produces words of wisdom, justice, and stability Psalms 37:30-31 30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide. The Lord is observing how knowledge is expressed in words Proverbs 15:2-4 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. It is impossible to conceal or control the heart’s content James 3:2-12 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. There is an acceptable/unacceptable side of our words in God’s sight Psalms 19:14 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Words are the fruit of the heart’s planting – every one will be judged. Matthew 12:34-37 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Your words determine which side of God you’re on. Matthew 15:11 11 You aren’t made unholy by eating nonkosher food! It is what you say and think that makes you unclean.” To believe in God is to believe in the power of words Mark 11:22-23 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Edifying words/God’s side, corrupt words/grieve the Spirit Ephesians 4:29-32 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. To effectively share faith, every word must be on God’s side. Colossians 4:6 6 Let every word you speak be drenched with grace and tempered with truth and clarity. For then you will be prepared to give a respectful answer to anyone who asks about your faith. With understanding comes purpose-driven words Isaiah 50:4 4 "The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. Overview: The ability to express with words is an incredible gift of our creation and those words are the revealers of what is in the heart. One of the greatest deceptions is that what we say doesn’t really matter, that idle and jesting words are of no consequence. There is significance and accountability to every word spoken as it is powerful for life or death. Those who understand and love the forming of words have an opportunity to strategically influence with them. There is a God side of words that takes the power of word expression to the realm of faith creation. Belief in God comes with belief in the significance of every word to either be on the side of God or directly opposed to it. Through our words we have the power to participate in God’s purpose and bring Him glory and honor. It is through the treasuring of His Word that the choice is made of God’s side as what will proceed must first be stored. A great harvest of life and peace is dependent on the choice of God’s side in our words. Prayer: I am so very grateful and blessed by Your commitment of words to my creation and my life. In my knowing of You now in Your presence and by Your Word, cause my words to be exclusive in their purpose for Your glory. Declarations: My new life in Christ is the result of God’s faithfulness to His side of words and their amazing harvest in my heart and life. I choose to love God’s side of my words and their great power to create and dictate for His glory. I avoid and abhor even the smallest word in jest or demeaning that would take me to the opposing side of God’s words. I am filled with hope and encouragement in the knowledge of where my words will take me as they are given exclusively to the side of the Master.