"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21
In childhood many of us learned the nursey rhyme. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words shall never hurt me." That is both true and not true. it is true in the sense that words of the evil purveyors of darkness, have no authority over us. What the devil intends for evil God will turn it for good. No weapon that is fashioned against us shall prosper and every tongue that rises against us we will condemn. But it is not true that words cannot hurt us. How many people have been cruelly spoken to as children and robbed of their childhood innocence and had stamped on their minds false notions of who they are with words from corrupt parents or teachers and people in authority over them? "You'll never amount to anything," "You're so stupid! "You're dumb!" "You never do anything right." "You're ugly," and on and on... Words that crush the innocent spirit of a child or an adult and condemns them into downward spiral to destruction.
But with God, is it not so. Godly Words of life have the power to heal, to deliver, to transform, and to create life from death. From the beginning God called things that were not as though they were and they came into being just as He called them. Jesus demonstrated this same authority, calling people to healing, to deliverance and wholeness by the power of HIs words.
Likewise, He teaches us we can have whatever we say in faith believing. Now, don't get hung up on "by faith believing." That’s usually the point at which many people, (we all) at one time or another have struggled. Why, because we measure our degree of faith by what we feel rather than by simply hearing and believing the Word of God and acting based solely on that Word not on how we feel about it. The outcome is not our responsibility. The believing, trusting, and doing is our part.
For example: There is something God has called us to do, or something we desire to do that is consistent with His will for us and we have the ability to do it, but fear of the cost stops us cold in our tracks. It may cost us time, money, some temporary discomfort, sacrifice of something we value materially, or emotionally. Fear is the biggest thief of our faith, because the "what ifs" tend to creep in to our thinking, and those make us think that what we sacrifice today will mean lack and destitution, shame, embarrassment, or disappointment tomorrow. But the very opposite of that thinking is true. What we do, give (sacrifice) or purchase by whatever means God has provided, by faith in the name of Jesus for His higher purpose to be realized ALWAYS results in abundant return.
"And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first." Mark 10:29-30
Peter and is fellow fishermen did not get a net breaking load of fish because they fished all night and caught a few at a time that finally added up to a lot. NO. They fished all night and caught nothing by their effort alone. But when they acted by faith, on the Word of Jesus they caught more fish than their nets could hold and then some.
How many examples do we need to convince us to trust God's Word and act on it in faith? Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana, or feeding the 5000 with five loaves and two fish, or the 4000 plus women and children with seven loaves and a few little fishes? Jesus calming the sea with the Words, "Peace be still?" Healing the woman with the issue of blood by her faith touch of His garment, raising Jairus' daughter to life from the dead? Healing the centurion soldier's servant? Healing the blind man, Bartimaeus?
The outcome is not our responsibility. The faith to act is. Acting in faith is not impulsive or reckless. Faith is established on the basis of what we know. It is the actions we take with confidence in the integrity and truth of what God has promised.
We have the authority from God in the name of Jesus to speak His Word into any situation and fully expect that Word to come to pass because God has promised it.
"And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." Mark 11:21-23
Because some may have attempted to use the word of God and particularly certain passages of Scripture like this one, to manipulate or coarse people into giving something to them, that does not diminish or rob this Word of its power from God.
These are the Words of Jesus Himself and the truth of them is still manifested in faith by those who act resolutely on them.
There are many mountains of all kinds attempting to thwart, delay and hinder the fulfillment of God's Kingdom-will coming to rule and reign on earth as it is in Heaven. But those mountains cannot withstand the power of light that appears when believers begin to speak what God has said into the atmosphere, to call down the principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness in this world and the spiritual wickedness in high places and cast them away far from us.
Finally, let this be our manner of life.
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:10-18
And speak life into every situation where God places you or anywhere you find yourself at any time.
"...even God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did."Romans 4:17b
Our words, God's words spoken from our mouths in faith gives life and brings light to dispel darkness. We can have whatever we say.
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.." Luke 12:32