Getting a grip on your lip might be the single most important thing you do this year—or for the rest of your life. Perhaps the psalmist understood something about this topic when he prayed, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips,” Psalm 141:3 , NIV.
It’s true; words have the power to hurt us. But more importantly, words have the potential to help us. Consider this rich tidbit from Proverbs, “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,” Proverbs10:11. Imagine that. Our mouths have the potential to provide wells of life to our lives.
I am confident that as you get a hold of this huge biblical principle and put it into practice, you will see dramatic results. In fact, I have no doubt as the truths in this book become a part of your spiritual DNA and lifestyle, you will find yourself propelled into a completely new orbit for every area of your life.
Simple Word Truths
When I use the phrase “get a grip on your lip,” I am talking about getting a grip on your mouth, tongue, speech, speaking, saying, talking, shouting, singing, confession, profession, voice, decrees, declarations, affirmations and words.
As we get started, let’s take a bird’s-eye look at several simple truths about the power of these things called words.
Words have the power of life and death. (Prov. 18:21.)
Words have the power to bring sweetness to our souls. (Prov. 16:24.)
Words bring health to our bodies. (Prov. 16:24.)
Words produce fruit. (Prov. 12:14.)
Words can turn away anger. (Prov. 15:1.)
Words can stir up strife. (Prov. 15:1.)
Words can frame our world. (Heb. 11:3.)
Words snare us. (Prov. 6:2.)
Words take us places. (James 3:3,4.)
Words can make mountains jump and trees die. (Mark 11:20-24.)
Words bind the devil. (Matt. 16:19.)
Words loose God’s power. (Matt. 16:19.)
Words make tremendous power available. (James 5:16.)
Words stop wind and waves. (Matt. 8:26.)
Words eradicate fevers and heal sick bodies. (Luke 4:38,39.)
Words give wisdom and kindness. (Prov. 31:26.)
Words teach. (Prov. 16:21.)
Words impart grace. (Eph. 4:29.)
Words bring us salvation. (Rom. 10:8,9.)
Words give wisdom. (Prov. 1:6.)
Words can please the Lord. (Prov. 15:26.)
Words affect us spirit, soul and body. (Prov. 16:24.)
Words feed people. (Prov. 10:21.)
Words turn away anger. (Prov. 15:1.)
Words make a way. (Matt. 3:3.)
Words disperse knowledge. (Prov. 15:7.)
Words provide favor with leaders. (Prov. 16:13.)
Words protect you. (Prov. 13:2.)
Words give joy. (Prov. 15:23.)
Words win favor. (Eccl. 10:12.)
Words are the language of faith. (2 Cor. 4:13.)
Words provide a well of life. (Prov. 10:11.)
Wise people teach their mouths. (Prov. 16:23.)
As you read this book, I hope you take some time to look up the verses of Scripture for yourself and allow the Lord to help you teach your mouth, guard your tongue and tap into the well of life. Let’s begin our journey with words of prayer:
Father,
Thank You so much for Your Word. It is living and active. Your Word is Truth. I can trust every one of Your words. Thank You for giving me the unique privilege of being able to speak words that carry the power of life or death. As I begin this journey, I ask You to help me teach my mouth. I ask You for the spirit of wisdom and revelation as I read each page. I thank You for the Holy Spirit, my Teacher. May I have ears to hear every word He speaks so my mouth may tap into the well of life You so freely promise. Thank You for helping me to get a grip on my lip.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Words in Two Categories
Most believers know the importance and power of God’s Word; that is, reading the Bible and listening to the Lord as He speaks to their hearts. Of course, His words are full of power: He’s God! While most Christians know God’s Word is full of life, many haven’t given much thought or intentionality to the importance and power of their words.
God has a lot to say about the potential of our words. Let’s look at the power of our words in two categories: words we say to or about others, and words we say in and by faith.
Word We Say to or About Others: The words we say to or about others matter. We can effectively build people up or tear people down with our words. Our words can impart grace to the hearers or pierce their hearts like an arrow.
Most of us know the types of words we should be speaking to and about others. We know we should be nice. We know our words should be kind and edifying. We know we shouldn’t gossip. While we know these things, we all need a reminder from time to time to guard our hearts and mouths in relation to comments about others.
Words We Say in Faith: The words we say in and by faith matter. We have the God-given privilege of acknowledging, affirming, appropriating, confessing and laying claim to the riches of God’s Word with words. As followers of Christ, we have been blessed and enriched by Him in countless ways; the more we declare by faith His Word in and over our lives, the more we experience the tangible reality of His goodness.
I love the way evangelical Christian leader Colin Urquhart of Kingdom Faith Ministries based in Sussex, England translates 1 Corinthians 1:5 in The Truth New Testament: “Because you live in Christ, you have been blessed with all of His riches. He has blessed you in every conceivable way. You know that all His riches are yours and you are able to speak His many blessings over your life.”
Unfortunately, many people don’t know who they are in Christ or how incredibly blessed they are as a result of being “in Him.” Even fewer people understand the language of faith or the significance of speaking faith-filled words in and over their lives. They don’t really understand the biblical principles or spiritual laws attached to words. For many reasons, they are unaware or misinformed about the potential their words have to move mountains and frame their worlds. They don’t know what they don’t know. As a result, some people have become confused, critical or dismissive about this topic and have thrown the baby out with the bathwater, as they say.
What does the Bible say about believing, speaking, affirming, declaring, decreeing, naming, claiming, confessing and professing God’s Word? Thankfully, it says a lot. As believers, we need a fresh explanation of God’s Word and the importance of speaking faith-filled words.
God Hears Our Words
Let’s start with the basics. God hears our words. It sounds fundamental, but it is true—God listens. His ear is bent low, and He is listening to what we say. God’s ears hear our words, and He’s listening for some particular things. Before we look at all of the dynamics associated with our words, let’s be reminded that God has ears, and He listens:
Psalm 5:3—“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct