What Do You Believe? Chapter Four

BLOG A BOOK: What Do You Believe? Chapter Four

Choosing What We Believe

In previous chapters we’ve seen that in past tense, God declared to Abraham that He’d made him a father of many. God said as far as He’s concerned, it’s a done deal.

In past tense God declares 1 Peter 2:24 to us: “who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (KJV emphasis mine).

God has already made His decision about our healing. We’re already healed. He provided for healing at the cross and it’s a done deal. Healing is part of His health plan. Our job is to believe it belongs to us as part of the finished work of Jesus at the cross and receive it.

Jesus paid the penalty of sin and provided healing for our bodies on the cross. Whosoever needs healing should renew their mind to God’s Truth and begin declaring healing and good health.

Go to the Word and find the healing promises and start reading them—out loud. That’s how we renew our minds to what God says is Truth. We get truth in our heart and in our mouth and we don’t stop believing. Check out Here’s Your Proof on my website, in the Journal section.

Whatever you need from God, there’s a promise that covers it. Find what God said in the Word and begin declaring it over your life. When you become fully persuaded like Abraham was fully persuaded (Romans 4:21) that what God has promised He is also ready, willing and able to do it, you’ll see the manifestation of God’s Word in your life.

By renewing our mind to God’s Truth, we are persuading ourselves. We’re ridding our mind of toxic thoughts that bring doubt and unbelief and hinders our ability to receive all that God has promised.

MY BIG MOUTH

Sometimes I read the Bible from Genesis straight through Revelation. Sometimes I focus on one chapter or one book. Often, I study by topic. If I read randomly, I generally choose Ephesians. If I ask Father God if He has a preference where I read, nine times out of ten, He says, “James.”

God always meets us where we’re at, and I always need help with my mouth. Maybe you do too. There’s good news. James sets us straight about our words.

“We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches…” (James 3:3-5 NLT).

In Chapter three, James compares our tongue’s ability to direct our lives, to that of a bit in a horse’s mouth, and of the rudder on a ship.

The weight of a horse varies according to size and breed as well as how much they eat. An average sized horse weights about 660 pounds. An average bit is five inches. A five-inch control device is small for a five-hundred-pound horse. Yet experience has taught that we can make a powerful horse follow our direction.

James was also familiar with the ships that fishermen used in Jesus’ day. The rudder was quite small compared to the size of the fishing boat. It gave fishermen the ability to control and steer those massive ships even in the roughest sea waters.

Our tongues are small compared to the size of our bodies. Like the ships and the horses whose direction is controlled by something small, so too, our tongue controls the direction of our lives.

James had a lot to say about that powerful member of our bodies.

“…But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself” (James 3:5-7 NLT).

James tells us that our words are so powerful that they can change the entire direction our lives are headed. Our words are so explosive that they can also corrupt our body and set our entire lives ablaze and in ruin.

I have good news. If our tongue can bring destruction, it can also bring beauty and life to our homes, health and every circumstance and situation we encounter in life.

James tells us the key to victory.

“People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison” (3:8).

In our own ability we can’t tame our tongue. However, God solved that little member problem by giving us new tongues. It’s called the baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11) in the Holy Spirit that’s evidenced by speaking in tongues.

Wow is right! We have the choice to surrender our tongues to Holy Spirit. That’s spiritual guidance.

“And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:13 NKJV).

Among all the parts of the body the tongue is a little member that can change the course of our lives.

That’s one reason it’s so important to know God’s Truth and keep His Word coming out of our mouths.

Here are a few Scriptures about the power of the tongue.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).

“There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs 12:18).

“You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth” (Proverbs 6:2).

Jesus said, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).

We can allow our tongue to lead us to death or life. Our words can entrap us like a rabbit caught in a snare and taken captive. Our words can direct our body to health or keep us sick. They can bring provision or lead us into poverty and destruction.

Our words are more powerful than most of us understand.

In Chapter Five we’ll look at applying the principle of using words to call those things that be not as they are in relationship to Jesus’ teaching on faith. Until next time, stay strong. Stay connected by registering to receive Chapter Five in my first blog-a-book series: What Do You Believe?

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