Recently, I have been praying for God to reveal to me the ways that I need to learn and grow, to be more like Him. I had a friend confront me about my words and it shook me a little bit. I had known and previously learned of words and the power of them, yet I didn’t always act accordingly. I appreciated that she had brought it to my attention, although it hurt in the moment—but that’s the sanctification process right? The Lord will bring people across my path to better me, to reveal to me my weaknesses, the areas of growth I need to step into.
I am not always mindful of the words I choose and the way I speak, yet that is something we are to be mindful of (Ephesians 4:29), and it comes from the heart. And what settles in the heart starts with the mind (Luke 6:45). When I think about the things that are lovely, true, worthy, etc. (Philippians 4:8), I don’t have much room to think about anything else. But then the enemy wants to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10), and he’ll plant lies in my mind. What I do with that, he doesn’t always know. Because he can only see my reaction or the words that I say as a result, he doesn’t know the battle going on in my mind after he’s tempted me to doubt, fear, or guilt.
As I was battling this in my heart and mind, I was struck with the message of God’s love for me, specifically. There’s a meme/GIF that circulates social media of when Yeshua leaves the 99 for the one—and that one is you, the GIF is a lamb dancing their way back into the fold. While it’s funny and entertaining, it is—more importantly—so true. When a lamb leaves the fold or is lost, that lamb is not banished from the fold; it’s not no longer a part of the family; it doesn’t leave the protection of the shepherd. That’s why the shepherd goes and seeks it—because that lamb is still his. The same with me—when I sin or fail, I don’t leave the fold of God. I am sought out by my Savior and restored back into the fold when He finds me. [“Reckless Love,” Cory Asbury]. I’m still a part of the family, but I have to do my part in apologizing and repenting.
And that is part of the spiritual warfare that we are engaged in.
Yet, sometimes, I think we need to fight a verbal battle, not just in our minds (2 Corinthians 10:5), but to take up our armor (Ephesians 6:11). The enemy only sees or knows the things we actually do and taking up the sword of the Spirit or the helmet of salvation is something that I need to verbalize and submit to the Lord for so that the enemy does flee (James 4:7). As God revealed this to me, I have learned even more so the power of my words.
What you speak matters. How you speak matters.
Satan will take any foothold he can take because he doesn’t want believers to be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10); he wants vulnerable, weak believers that he can continue to use for his plans and purposes. Yet, God has chosen me and has equipped me to walk the walk He has set for me (Ephesians 1:3–12; Galatians 5:25).
The depth of living by faith is never-ending, yet the Bible is clear on what living by faith looks like and how we must worship (John 4:24). Knowing the truth is one thing, applying it is another. I was listening to a sermon a few weeks ago, and it hit me how the Holy Spirit of God empowers me to live the live I’m called to live, but it also hit me just how deep it goes, and what that looks like practically, on a day-to-day level. But, when I did, the level of dedication that needs to take place as I offer myself as a spiritual sacrifice (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5) is at a level at which my time is consumed with knowing God, His Word, and following and obeying it. Even just looking up definitions and knowing what that verse says or means requires a much greater understanding and because the Bible is eternal and life-giving, and I will never know Yeshua fully on this side of Heaven, there is always something to learn. There is always something profitable in the Bible, something that’s applicable, something that I hadn’t yet considered (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Knowing that my words are part of the battle, my actions are a part of the battle, it is freeing to know the Lord is on my side (Romans 8:37; Psalm 28:7). He saves; He redeems; He forgives; He restores.
Choose life, friends; choose encouragement, choose your words wisely, and watch how the Lord works in you for His glory. Walk the walk of faith, equipped by His Holy Spirit, and fight the wiles of the enemy knowing the battle is won in the Lord.
“Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.” —Proverbs 18:21, TLV
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” —Ephesians 6:12, TLV
Final note: Realized how deep faith goes, and how if you live it, it’s actually work on our end. But God is faithful and the reward is great.
Be blessed, friends.
Truly Loved + Wholly Surrendered 
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