I’ve been on a multi-year journey of learning how to use my words. When I was a child, I felt I had no voice. I wasn’t allowed to have an opinion or voice concern. I wasn’t included in conversations about the family. I was told to remain quiet. When my brother would pummel me, I’d get in trouble for screaming. I felt that I was the one who must always remain unvoiced.
When I grew into a young adult and had the opportunity to begin to use my words, I found none. In those years, I’m ashamed to say, I cussed an awful lot. I had nothing of substance to say. It’s like the communication part of my brain was stunted. The growth was blocked.
Then I found a real relationship with Jesus and it’s as if I immediately had a barrier removed and my words became powerful and effective…both in prayer and with people. I discovered that God created me to be a communicator. A teacher. Not just a worshiper, but a worship leader. A writer. I began to realize that my voice was powerful because of the anointing of Holy Spirit.
No wonder there had been such a strong fight over my voice from a very young age.
Now that I’ve grown so much and understand more about who I am, I’ve been considering the parts of scripture that detail the power of our words.
I have been pressing in consistently to learn about how to use my prayers. How to be more effective. How to pray prayers that are answered.
We could all be much more effective if we’d learn how to use our words.
Look at scripture…
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it. John 14:14
It’s so important to begin to ask God to convict you of every idle word you speak. It’s a hard thing to ask, but it’s worthwhile.
God has increasingly been convicting me of my words, more and more. But I’ve noticed a lot of good fruit coming from that surrender.
It’s time for us, as the body of believers, to begin to take our words seriously. These are intense times, and we need the power of our words. I encourage you to discover this power. Lean into God about it. Listen and respond.
Say what is true. Say things in faith. See the miraculous.
365 Days in the Presence 