We made the point last week that we worship a God who calls into being that which does not exist (Rom 4:17). Being made in His image, we have a measure of this same power to call into being that which does not exist. As we read Scripture and see the righteous new identity to which He is calling us, then we should speak that Scripture out loud. We should speak our new identity, and speak it into reality in our lives.
Read Scripture. Receive it. Speak it, and Believe it. Confess God’s word, and believe it in your heart. Then His word, which is alive and powerful (Heb 4:12), will creatively, gracefully and invisibly influence your heart and mind, and it will change you.
In Matthew 12 Jesus is about to shift his ministry. He will begin speaking in parables in chapter 13, and His message will only be received by those who are spiritually hungry. In preparation for this shift Jesus warns the crowd with this point:
You have in your life what you speak with your mouth.
Jesus makes the point that your words will either take you to a new place spiritually, or your words will condemn you and drive you to defeat. The direction you go in life is based on the words that fill your heart. If you put a good treasure (Scripture) in your heart, then you will speak the words of that good treasure, and you will go to a new place spiritually. However, if you put an evil treasure in your heart (words of defeat, failure, judgment, etc), then you will speak words that lead to spiritual ruin. For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. Whatever is filling your heart, will be reflected in your speech, and you will have in your life what you speak with your mouth.
We have the power to use our tongue to speak spiritual breakthrough, spiritual growth and spiritual maturity into our lives where it does not presently exist. Read it; Receive it; Believe it; Speak it.
How does this work? Let’s say you are one of several candidates up for a promotion at work. Only one of you will get the new job. God has not told you that you are going to get it, so you are merely hopeful for the new position. But you can speak God’s word into your heart.
“I thank you, Lord, that You are my Shepherd,
and that I will never want for anything. (Psalm 23:1)
This job would be nice, because of its many benefits;
however, You have told me that You will supply my every need (Phil 4:19),
and so I will trust you no matter what the outcome.”
The decision by your company leaders is out of your hands. You can only walk by faith and trust God for the outcome. Therefore, you want to put a good treasure (words of faith, trust and the goodness of God) in your heart, and speak those words of Scripture.
If I ask you at church, “Hey, did they make a decision at work, yet?” You can say, “Not yet, but the Lord is my Shepherd, and He will supply my every need; I am speaking a heart full of faith, regardless of the outcome.”
If the promotion is granted to another employee, then you will have in your life what you spoke with your mouth. You will have peace about the disappointment, because you have been speaking into your heart a faith in God’s provision.
Here’s another example. Let’s say that you have grown up to be a negative, critical person –just like your mother and grandmother! But you want to change it. You can have in your life what you speak with your mouth, so you start speaking your new identity in Christ. Every day you begin to speak God’s word into your heart.
“I am a child of God, therefore, I can do all things without grumbling and disputing.” (Phil 2:14). I am not a critical person.”
“God is love, and He is my life; therefore, I can bear all things and endure all things (I John 4:8; Col 3:4; and I Cor 13:7). I am not a critical person.”
“I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ . . . therefore, it is not my nature to judge or criticize others.” (2 Cor 5:21; Matt 7:1)
Find Scriptures that fit your need in life. Read them, receive them, believe them and speak them. You will have in your life what you speak with your mouth. (Matt 12:33-37), and God will change you at the level of Identity.
-Carter