Think of the words you speak the same way you think about the money in your pocket.
Shopping can be so much fun–especially when you have plenty of money. Imagine browsing in your favorite boutique; inspecting all of the beautiful and useful things the store has to offer. You’ve made your selections and now it’s time to check out. The clerk rings up all of your items and presents you with the total. You confidently hand her a wad of bills. “What’s this?” she asks with confusion as she hands the money back to you, “We don’t accept foreign currency here.” Surprised and embarrassed you leave the store empty-handed with a pocketful of worthless currency.
Now, think of the words coming out of your mouth the same way you think about the money in your pocket. In Heaven, coins, paper and credit cards are not used to make an exchange for goods and services–words are. When we pray to our Father in Heaven, he receives our words and converts them to the results we need on earth. If we want to do business with Heaven, we must speak. Unfortunately, sometimes our words are as foreign and useless to God as counterfeit dollars are to a bank.
From our perspective, it seems as if our prayers go unanswered and God is not listening. In reality, God heard our prayers, but they were ineffective.
God always hears our prayers. But, to receive answers, our words must line up with the Word of God and the will of God.The Bible tells us in James 3:2…
“We all stumble in many ways. Those who are never at fault in what they say are perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” (King James Version)
The Message Bible puts it this way…
“We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.” (The Message Bible)
Consider Jesus. Not only was he the Son of God, he was a perfect person. Every word he spoke was true and in line with the will of God and the Word of God. Most of the miracles he performed were the result of a few choice words like, “Take up your bed and walk,” “Peace be still,” or “Lazarus come forth.” What if we could heal the lame, calm the sea and bring the dead back to life just by the words coming out of our mouths? We can.
Before returning to Heaven, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” (John 14:12-13, New Living Translation)
The Bible tells us that we have the right to speak and have those words produce results just like Jesus did. So, why aren’t we getting the results Jesus got? Sometimes our words are devalued.
What devalues our Currency (Words)?
- Speaking mixed words. (Examples: Telling the truth sometimes and lying at other times; being encouraging one minute and then gossiping the next; saying “I love the Lord” one day and then cursing someone out the next day, et cetera) Because the words are mixed (sometimes they line up with the Word of God and sometimes they don’t), they have mixed results–sometimes we get what we pray for, sometimes we don’t.
- Living an ungodly life. Not only should our words line up with the Word of God, but our inner thoughts and motivations should as well. Our prayers must be motivated by good intentions, not greed or selfishness. Nor can we hold on to unforgiveness, bitterness, offense and hatred in our hearts or live a sinful, immoral life and expect to speak miracles into existence.
If we want our prayers to be answered and to have authority over spiritual wickedness, our life and our words must agree. In essence, there can be no variation in what we say and how we live–both must be representative of Jesus Christ.
Life Principles:
- Words are the currency of the Kingdom of God. Just as our salvation must be confessed by our mouths. We must use our mouths to confess the rest of God’s promises. (Confess means to declare faith in or adherence to; it also means to admit sin or guilt.)
- Spend words wisely. Don’t buy a bunch of junk with your mouth by saying negative things like, “I’m so afraid that this will happen” or I just don’t know how I’m going to make it.” Instead say, “God I’m thankful that you are supplying all my needs according to your riches in glory” or “God has not given me a spirit of fear and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Remember, all words produce a result, whether good or evil. So, say what you want and not what you don’t want.
- Ask for forgiveness and repent. We have all said foolish or wicked things. However, we have an advocate with the Father through Jesus Christ. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we ask God to forgive us of every idle and contrary word we have spoken, He will forgive us. He will prevent those words from harming others and us any longer.
- Speak words of life. Once we are forgiven we can use our words in exchange for what we need in the natural. For example. If we’re lacking in health, lacking in finances, or lacking in relationships, et cetera, we can find scriptures from the bible that tell us God’s promises for us in those areas. John 6:63 says, “The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don’t make anything happen. Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.” (The Message)
- Act on the words of life. Do everything in the natural that should be done to bring about the results you want. For example, we can’t smoke two packs of cigarettes a day and then pray for healing of lung cancer. Instead, pray for healing AND stop smoking–even pray for the ability to stop smoking if necessary.
Remember, “life and death is in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21, KJV) When we pray or speak, Heaven responds and an exchange is made. Even though we can’t always see what our words have purchased immediately–our merchandise is on the way.
For more study on the power of the tongue, read our Tame Your Tongue Bible study.
