A New Tongue
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How often have we said things that we knew we should not have said with our mouths? Everything within us is saying, “STOP, DON’T SAY IT!” Yet, it is too late, the mouth train has already left the station, and the next stop is called “personal satisfaction through the declaration of the tongue.” I cannot count how many times the Spirit of God tried to get me to restrain my tongue from saying something, that I just felt I needed to get out. You see, He (the Holy Spirit) knew some things about the connection of my tongue, with the realization (manifestation) of what I had asked God for. I thought it was my right to say what I was feeling, when in essence it was a personal wrong to do so. There is something very serious regarding how we use our tongues, that can set the course for blessings, cursing, lack, health, the Anointing, and more in our lives. Some things we ought to be saying more of, yet there are many, many more things that we must stop saying with our tongues or mouths. The very words that we have spoken may have negated what God had intended to bless us with. The enemy bait’s the Christian to get them into conversations that will steal the Anointing that must flow through our tongues by means of declarations, and commands. In essence, the enemy sets up snares for us to step into with our words, with the purpose of stealing from us. We are often snared by the words of our own mouth. Proverbs 6:2 says;
“Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.”
Everything is not okay to say. Every conversation is not meant for you to be in, even when people try to draw you in. Although people may introduce you to a conversation, it does not mean that it is your spiritual business. Now when I say spiritual business, I am talking about if the person or thing that you are speaking about is part of your spiritual responsibility, or under your spiritual authority.
If the children of God are going to live a victorious life, then we must be determined to get “A New Tongue.” No more saying what we want, when we want; rather saying what God would have us to say, when He desires for us to say it. Get this in your spirit, from this day forward your tongue shall be an instrument for victorious living in God.
Issues Of The Tongue.
To gain a true understanding of the scope of the things that the tongue can cause, I will look at around 4 or 5 key words that will allow us to see, if in fact we see ourselves in them, thus identifying a snare that the enemy has been using against us, to steal from us and stop our breakthrough. These words are: murmuring, complaining, gossiping, backbiting, evil speaking, outburst of wrath (speaking in anger). The key issue with these words are when we do them against God (as well as anything that He has given, or instructed us to do), or others. Let’s examine each one to get further clarity.
Murmuring
The Hebrew word for “murmur” is “luwn”, meaning to grumble, complain or murmur. The Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “murmur” as a quiet expression of an opinion or feeling. A half suppressed or muttered complaint, grumbling. Numbers 14:27 says;
“How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.”
When we grumble, or speak under our breathe regarding anything or anyone it is murmuring.
Complaining
The Hebrew word for “complaining” is “anan”, meaning to complain, murmur, to be sad, sorrowful, to mourn, to groan, to complain with impiety (lack of respect for God). The Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “complain” as to say, or write that you are unhappy, sick, uncomfortable, etc, or that you do not like something. It is also to say something that expresses annoyance or unhappiness. It is to express grief, pain, or discontent, as well as to make a formal accusation or charge. Numbers 11:1 says;
“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.”
Murmuring, or complaining speaks of discontentment with what the Lord has given us, or with others. We cannot change anyone by complaining about them to others. Our ability to see change comes in prayer, that is to say the prayers of the righteous. Complaining moves you from righteousness.
Gossiping
Another word for “gossiper” is a whisperer, or talebearer. The Hebrew word for “talebearer” is “rakiyl” (pronounced ra-kel), meaning slander, slanderer, talebearer, informer. Another Hebrew word for “talebearer” is “nirgan” (pronounced ner-gon), meaning to murmur, whisper, a chatterer. The Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “gossip” as information about the behavior and personal life of other people. A person who speaks about the private details of other peoples’ lives. A person who habitually reveals personal, or sensational facts about others. Proverbs 11:13 says;
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”
We should never be in everyone else’s business. Sometimes knowing too much unnecessary things about others, causes us to become commentators about their lives; rather than living our own. We must be careful with television, for there are so many reality shows that are built upon nothing but gossip. A good way to know that it is gossip is usually by the opening statement, such as, “Did you hear…., or Let me tell you something about them….”
Backbiting
The Hebrew word for “backbiting” is “cether” (pronounced sa-ther), meaning secrecy (of the tongue being slanderous). The Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “backbiting” as to say mean, or spiteful things about someone that is not present. Psalms 15:1-3 says;
“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.”
No one likes to walk into a room and the people stop talking. That usually happens when they are the topic of conversation. If you would not like people to talk about you behind your back, then do not talk about anyone else behind their backs.
Evil Speaking
The Greek word for “evil speaking” is “blasphemia”, meaning slander, detraction (damaging someone’s reputation), injurious speech to another’s good name, or impious reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty. Ephesians 4:31 says;
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
We must never use our tongues to say anything evil, or blasphemous about God, or others.
Outburst of Wrath (Anger)
The Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “outburst” as a sudden expression of strong feeling, or violent expression of feeling (such as outburst of anger). Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “anger” as mad, ticked off, steamed up. Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “wrath” as strong vengeful anger, indignation, retributary punishment for an offence or crime, outrage. It is anger exhibited in punishment. Colossians 3:8 says;
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
Although what a person says might be true, how they say it still matters. The bible tells us to be angry but sin not. Outburst of wrath usually brings us into sin. Using our tongue against someone without love towards them, can often cause us to explode on someone with words as a way to punish them.
I want to be very clear about these words, those who do them, sin. Sin always steals from you. So many people get into so much mess, or trouble because of their tongues. Saying what they should not say. It happens in marriages, friendships, at work, in families, in public places. Speaking in situations that has nothing to do with you is wrong, and must not be the way of the Christian. Not only that, but speaking when God is telling you to be silent is just as bad, both are sin.
Don’t Yield Your Tongue To The Enemy.
Many people are ruled by their emotions. How they feel dictates what they say. These people are prime targets of the enemy of our souls, the devil. The enemy will bring about issues, and then use your emotions to get you to say things that you should not say, based on anger, fear, sadness, hurt, rejection, offence, etc…. Your tongue speaks what is on the inside. Ephesians 4:26-27 says;
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neither give place to the devil.”
We must never let our emotions, or how we are feeling give the enemy an opportunity to use our mouths for our own demise (I will get to why it affects you a little later in the teaching). We must crucify our flesh, and allow the Word of God to wash the inside of us, until it is clean. That is to say, that we may not be reading enough of the Word of God, or we are not reading it with an open heart to receive from the Holy Spirit correction in regards to the things that apply to ourselves.
We must learn to bring our tongues under subjection to our spirit man or woman. If we are going to truly be who God has called us to be, it will require our tongues to be holy. Now there are many people, as well as leaders declaring that it does not take that much (holiness and the standard of righteousness), to walk in the things of God. Yet, they have no demonstration of the power of God that I am seeking. I know without question that the chastening of my tongue is key to power flowing through me, when I speak the Word of God. Your tongue can not be a dull instrument due to sin, it must be sharp because of righteousness.
The Test That Qualifies The Christian For Power.
There seem to be 3 tests that God’s children must pass, in order to access the power needed to fulfill the call on their lives. These tests are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. I John 2:15-17 speaks of them, it reads;
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Many who have been called to do great things for the Lord, have been limited in power, due to a failure of any one of these test. Jesus took these same tests in Luke 4:1-14 before He walked in the Power of the Holy Spirit, it reads;
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”
In verse 1 of the above text of scripture, we see that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit, when He went into the wilderness to be tempted (tested). Now remember, before this there were no miracles, healings or deliverance that Jesus did. In verse 14 we find that Jesus returned from the temptation, or testing in the power of the Spirit. Many are full of the Spirit of God, yet lack the power of God, due to a failure of one or more of the test. Regarding our tongues being tested, we are dealing with the lust of the flesh. The lust of the flesh has to do with yielding to any sin that is lead by your flesh. Your flesh starts making demands regarding what it desires to do, even when the Spirit of God is trying to stop you. Galatians 5:16-17 says;
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
Yielding to your flesh stops you from walking in the power of the Spirit of God. The lust of the eye is yielding to any sin that a person yields to, through first being tempted visually. The pride of life is any sin that a person yields to due to pride or presumption regarding who they believe they are, their status and what they should have (privilege). Certain acts of the flesh will hinder the power you need to walk in the Spirit.
There is a direct connection between your tongue (flesh), and the demonstration of God’s power. I Corinthians 2:4-5 says;
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
Beloved child of God, it is important that you take very serious what I’m about to say, and that is, “The condition of the instrument (your tongue) that you use can dictate the results that follow. Mark 16:20 says;
“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”
Your tongue must pass the lust of the flesh test for it to be used in power. Your tongue must be a righteous instrument. Your tongue has a direct connection to you walking in the power of God.
Spiritual Leaks.
Our spirit man, or woman is like a balloon, in which we pour in the things of God, and when enough is in, it becomes explosive. Yet, the enemy is constantly tempting us in the areas of our flesh, and each time we yield by saying, or doing what we should not be, then those spiritual things begin to leak out, always stopping us from having enough to see the dunamis power of God. Each time that you say what you should not be saying, you are not hurting the person you are talking about; rather you are hurting yourself. That’s why a lot of Christians don’t have effective prayer. Their instrument of prayer, their tongues are polluted, causing them not to reach Heaven. The enemy exploit’s the unrighteous tongue, causing loss, when it is trying to declare gain. We try to declare healing, yet the tongue because of gossip loses its power to do so. We try to tell demons to leave, but they won’t because the same tongues that we use to try and cast them out with, we use to murder our brothers and sisters (character assassinations).
Now I do want to clarify something, and that is, there are some times that you can speak about people legally. Speaking in authority about someone for a purpose, and not just as a point of conversation is not considered bad. Because someone begins to talk with you about someone you both may know regarding something that’s obvious, does not mean that it is right to do so. That has no purpose, other than gossip, which is not of the Lord. You have the right to discuss what someone is doing with someone else, only when that person you are speaking about is under both of your supervision or authority, or what they are doing is affecting one or both, and they bring it to the other who is in a supervisory position over the person who is doing it. Otherwise you must take the situation that you may see, in prayer to the Lord. Sometimes God allows you to see things for the purpose of praying to Him about it, and not talking to others about it. Keep your tongue in right standing and watch the power of God flow through you. We must refuse to speak evil. Job 27:3-4 says;
“All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.”
If you have been using your tongue in ways that God did not intend for you to use it, then today you must ask Him (the Living God) for a new tongue. A tongue that will say what He wants you to say, when He wants you to say it, and will refrain from murmuring, complaining, backbiting, gossiping, evil speaking, and outburst of wrath. Your tongue must be a sharp (through righteousness) instrument in the Master Surgeons (God) hands. Your tongue has been a snare to you receiving what God had intended to give you, as well as to the extent that God had desired to use you in power for His glory. Today will be like no other day in your life, you will get a new a tongue, causing your results to change as well.
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