Stewardship Series: Words of Life or Death?

In the following series we will be dealing with some very destructive mindsets that have crept into the church which have caused some unwanted effects on many Christians. These mindsets have caused anything from continued failed relationships, harmful habits, poverty, compromise and unsuccessful attempts at breaking addictions. It has also kept many Christians from reaching their personal goals and obtaining the prophetic promises of God. Much of this has to do with the idea that all the work has already been done on God's side. While the work of the grace has freed us from the power of sin, death and the grave. However, it has not taken care of our responsibility to work on our character, integrity, motives and attitudes. From the beginning God's intention was to hand mankind dominion and authority over the earth. He gave us all a free will. He gave Adam and Eve the power to name the animals and decide whether they would obey Him. Everyday we become either victims or victors depending on the decisions we make. In this particular blog we will deal with the power of our words. We need to remember that we were made after the likeness of God. He created everything with His words and the bible teaches us that: 

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

Some of us have been eating the fruit of the words that others have spoken over us. Some of you reading this today are slowly dying from the words of death caused by criticism, slander, malice, backbiting, gossip and negativity. Despite of what people say; words will hurt you but we should never allow those words to define us. Sadly, some of these words have come from those who claim to know and live for Christ. Their words betray them. Jude declares a warning to those who have gone in the way of Cain:

Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. (Jude 1:11).

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure. (Proverbs 101:5).

What was the way of Cain? Cain murdered his brother because he felt slighted by God. He became offended at the thought that God might have been favoring his brother Abel. Instead of correcting the things in his own life so that he too could please God he came against his brother out of jealousy. Some of you might immediately dismiss the idea of this applying to you because you would never think of murdering anyone. Yet Jesus taught that we can murder people in our hearts through judgment, words and hatred. 

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:21-24).

The Apostle of Love also admonishes us not to be like Cain.

For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. (1 John 3:11-13)

I can't count the many times I have personally witnessed leaders slander people in their fellowship. They think that because they do it behind closed doors that God cannot see. Before long it becomes a toxic waste dump and the Holy Spirit is no where to be found. Believe me when I tell you that I have personally witnessed the destruction of many churches over words. God can not be part of this behavior. The bible calls this spiritual cannibalism. 

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:14-15)

What's worse is the gossip and libel that hurts many ministries. Just because it's on the internet does not mean it is true. There are tons of claims online from offended Christians. Some are true but most of the time no one bothered to go to the offender to get things right or pray for them. Pride is a huge reason for these types of behavior. I am better than you because you have hang ups. Yet we fail to see our own short comings. The next quote is true.

'We tend to judge others by their behaviour, and ourselves by our intentions'
Albert F Schlieder?

What we don't understand is that there is nothing that grieves God's Spirit more than the hurtful words that come out our mouths. When we start accusing others in suspicion we have taken up Satan's job. We walk in darkness. God has made us stewards over our words because we are the ones that have control over our tongues. We need to hand over our tongues to God so that by grace he can help us bridle them. The bible tell us to not allow anything out of our mouth that does not impart grace to the hearers. What does that mean? It means that when we speak we are allowing God's mercy and love to encourage others to come up higher in Christ. I have heard many preachers cut people down so low that they feel like worthless worms unable to live their lives for Christ. That's not grace it's judgment. 

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29-32).

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:1-2).

If you have read this today and realize that you have offended others with your words and hurt people in the name of the law. Please take the time to pray with me and ask God to forgive us for our carelessly wielding our tongue: 

Father, I ask you to forgive me for not imparting your grace to others and for not bridling my tongue. Forgive us for the slander, gossip, malice and libel in your church. Help us God not to walk in darkness by being suspicious and hurling accusations at others. Help me speak life over others and not death. I ask you to have your Holy Spirit shed his love upon my heart so that I can stop being so judgmental and critical of others. Put a guard over my mouth that I may not grieve your Spirit. Thank you God. Amen.

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Jaziz Gutierrez
http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com
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