This week, we begin a new series on the ‘Power of Confession’, where we explore the profound impact our words have in the spirit realm and subsequently, our lives. Proverbs 15:4 tells us that “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” The words we speak reveal the state of our hearts, reflecting our spiritual maturity and the depth of our intake of God’s Word. Similarly, Proverbs 18:20 emphasizes that “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth.” Our confessions do more than just reflect our inner state; they actively shape our reality – we are the product of the confessions we make about ourselves. When we make godly confessions, we grow in the understanding of our identity in Christ, which then influences how we respond to Satan’s attacks. Proverbs 18:21 further reminds us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” This scripture teaches us that our words have the authority to either bring life or death. Therefore, it is essential to speak God’s Word consistently, understanding that our words carry authority and have the power to create and transform.
“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). The Bible here is signaling an area where many have been deceived and have fallen, particularly because of the company they keep. And often, those who are deceived are unaware of it. Evil communication—what we see, hear, and the environment we engage with—corrupts good morals. We cannot, and should not, expect to maintain close friendships with worldly people without compromising our godly values. As children of God, our primary engagement with the world should be to win souls for the kingdom, and we must have a clear strategy in place for this purpose, else we risk being drawn away from our faith. In 2 Peter 2, we read of Lot, a righteous man deeply distressed by the lawless deeds he witnessed in Sodom and Gomorrah. Though Lot did not participate in the filthy conversations of the wicked (vs.7-8), simply seeing and hearing them vexed his spirit because he was in a place where the voice of God was not. Therefore, it is vital that we do not make the same mistake; we must surround ourselves with like-minded believers who encourage godly behavior. Let us consistently find ourselves in spaces where God’s voice is present, because this shapes the trajectory of our lives in an upward direction.
In Mark 11, we read the story of Jesus and the fig tree, gaining further insight into the power of our words. When Jesus encountered the fig tree with leaves on it, He approached it, expecting to find fruit. However, despite its outward appearance, the tree had no fruit, as it was not the season for figs (vs.12-13). This incident symbolizes a common pitfall for many believers of professing something outwardly that is not true inwardly. The truth is, you cannot maintain the facade for long; eventually, your fruit, or lack thereof, will expose you. Jesus responded by cursing the tree, saying, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again,” and then He walked away, fully confident that His words would come to pass (vs.14). Jesus did not wait to see the immediate results because He knew that once He had spoken, it was done. When we speak the Word of God, it penetrates to the root of every problem, bringing transformation (Hebrews 4:12). Though the fig tree initially appeared unchanged, it had already begun to wither from the roots the moment Jesus spoke. Similarly, we must trust that when we declare God’s Word, our words address the root of any situation, even if we can’t see the immediate effects with our natural eyes. The following day, the disciples saw that the fig tree had withered from the roots, a testament to the power of spoken words (vs.20-21). This also teaches us the importance of remembrance in experiencing the supernatural. Remembrance of God’s goodness, through the aid of the Holy Spirit, brings consciousness, expectation, and ultimately, miracles (John 14:26). Therefore, let us continue to speak God’s Word with authority, trusting that our confessions will bring about the desired results.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word, which shapes our reality and guides our steps. Thank You for the wisdom to guard our tongues, recognizing that the words we speak are powerful beyond measure. We choose, this day, to align our confessions with Your Truth, speaking life into every aspect of our lives that is stagnant, and cursing all things contrary to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
