CHOOSE LIFE, NOT DEATH

The principle of choosing life in terms how we use our words is quite significant because we definitely experience what we choose to declare. Choosing to speak life is a wise choice because it establishes the favour and blessings of God upon our lives on a firm and stable basis.

Reference: Proverbs 18:21 English Standard Version (ESV) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Mark the phrase, 'those who love it'. It means those who understand how it works. For those who acknowledge the principle, they will eat its fruits. However, the principle is always in operation whether or not anyone acknowledges it. Why did the Scripture specifically mention: 'those who love it'? This is because when you are conscious of the principle, you'll be careful to observe it. It becomes a subject of consideration as well as of reflection and careful examination. That's how we treat what we love.

Have you heard people say, 'this pain or sickness is killing me softly'? Its a confession rooted in the power of the tongue. Remember our referenced Scripture says, 'death and life are in the power of the tongue'. In this case, no matter how you feel, you're giving pain the power to prevail because it is what you've chosen to declare. Definitely, the words will manifest the wrong fruit. It is remarkable that God Himself, after establishing the terms of the covenant He entered into with Israel, said, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19). In other words, it's a choice we have to make.

Someone wonders and asks, 'Pastor how do I correct the choice of words I use; I'm used to articulating negative words?' The answer is: it starts from the heart. Matthew 12:34-35 says, '…For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.' This implies that what's inside one's heart eventually manifests in words and then the fruits, in action. Positively-programmed minds generally produce good words and deeds out of a good treasure within them. The wrong mindsets generally manufacture evil words from the evil treasure they carry. So the heart of a person reveals the nature of that person by what comes out in their words and actions.

To build and establish this principle of life rightly, the Bible says, 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...' (Colossians 3:16 ESV). To let the Word dwell within us richly, is to desire it, read it, study it, and meditate on it daily and often. Feeding on God's Word renews our mind and reprogrammes it to alter the wrong thought pattern and install the right mindset (Romans 12:2). When the mind is renewed by the Word, it can easily filter our meditations and imaginations, discard the wrong thoughts and establish the right vocabulary. As you go for the Word and fill your heart with it, echoing God's Word becomes an easy task. Then our words begin to produce life and God's perfect righteousness. This process naturally leads to the Word correcting our motives, and impressing or engrafting the 'truth and life' principle upon the tablet of our hearts, such that it settles there to control our words and actions and then, influence our results in life.

To decide which possibilities will or will not be actualized in your life, speaking life must be intentional. Choose to speak life today and always, so that the outcomes you experience become clearer and predictable, even before they manifest. There is no explanation as to why any born again Christian would choose to speak negative or deadly words, when it contradicts the nature and life of God already dwelling in them. Therefore, say "yes" today to God's invitation to choose life and participate in His unlimited favour and blessings by speaking accordingly.

Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:30-31; Proverbs 18:4; Matthew 12:37; Luke 6:45; Colossians 4:6.

Exuberant Declaration: My mouth is a fountain of life because the Word of God is my daily meditation. In the Word, is life and all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. By storing it richly in my heart, it settles as the engrafted word of truth and it conceives in my heart, striking its root deep down and making it its dwelling-place. By speaking it forth, I observe to do, act and live accordingly, thereby, thinking excellent thoughts, giving expression to long life, flourishing and having notable attainments and persistent progress in all that I do. Blessed be God!