The Speaking Principle

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Tuesday January 15, 2008

Mark 11:23 (NIV) (Jesus speaking)
I tell you the truth, if ANYONE says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

The very basis of this principle-- that was outlined by Jesus Christ Himself-- is that in order for it to work, one must believe that what he says will happen.

You'll hear people say, "If I say something then the opposite will happen," and people treat "Murphy's Law" as if it's gospel; but really, by saying such things, they are using this very principle of Mark 11:23 against themselves! The principle is "backfiring" on them!

If you believe you will get the opposite of what you say, then that idea will come out of your mouth and infect you with that very circumstance. Jesus said, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks":

Matthew 12:33-37 (NIV) (Jesus speaking)
33. "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
36. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

The fact that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken means that every person has a choice of what to say! Your "heart"-- your innermost being-- is the real you, and it is YOU that decide what words to speak. Nobody else and nothing else decides what words we will say; every person is solely responsible for his or her own words.

If we decide to speak in line with God's Word and hold fast our confession, we cannot help but reap the blessings we are laying hold of by doing so. If we speak carelessly and change our confession from one thing to the other, we can expect to receive a smorgasbord of confused results.
We can shoot straight or backfire!

Let's hold fast our confession to the truth of God's Word and receive the blessings!

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your Word, which is alive and active; sharper than any double-edged sword. Help me by faith and confession to remove the barriers that have hemmed me in. Help me remember to always trust Your Word and keep my words in line with what You say even when circumstances don't seem to agree with You.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

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