A. Speaking In Truth
1. God created your mouth to bless and never to curse.
What comes out of our mouth is a reflection of what is truly inside us. Whether the words we speak originate from the throne of God or devised from hell.
James 3:6b, 8, 10 So is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and is set on fire of hell, (v8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.(v10) Out of the mouth proceedth blessing and cursing. My brethren this ought not to be..
2. God created your mouth to speak His truth.
Ephesians 4:25 & 27 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another: (v27) Don’t give place to the devil
Over and over again scripture exhorts us to guard what comes out of our mouth. Do not allow yourself to be an instrument of offense.
[a vessel for the enemy’s use.] see 1Peter 3:10-12
1 Corinthians 1:10a Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing.
3. Truth has a plumbline, which are the Scriptures themselves
2 Peter 3:2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lust..
4. Truth is not presumptuous
Psalms 19:13 Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
5. Truth does not make assumptions, but responds to the facts
Job 42:3a Who is this that [gives] hides counsel without knowledge..
The word hides refers to facts not seen by visual or sense perception, nor readily understood by observation or common knowledge. The criteria of prophetic ministry, even intercessory prophetic ministry when used outside of scriptural guidelines apply here. Never make intercession an excuse to bring harm to the body of Christ....
6. Speak the truth in love.
Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ..
Proverbs 10:12b But love covers all sin.
James 3:1-2 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we will receive a sticker judgment. (v2) For we all stumble [others] in many things, If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
7. Truth speaks for itself
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Though this might cover a considerable area of thought, some might misinterpret this statement to define prophecy or prophetic acts. We are encouraged in scripture not to despise the prophetic gift. And prophetic acts also follow throughout the context of scripture. We recommend for further reference;
Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and have multiplied visions; I have given symbols (parables) through the witness of the prophets.
8. Truth is not just a made up whim.
2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
An Intercessor must understand that one does not move on a whim, but tests each word through much prayer, careful soul searching in the Word of God, fasting when necessary, and then more prayer. If you speak “Thus says the Lord”, Make sure it is “Thus says the Lord”. See Jeremiah 42:4-7
9. Truth contends for the Faith.
Be honest, be true, Don’t stretch the scripture to prove your point. Besides, the measuring line is not what you have to say, but what God says.
Jude v3 Beloved while I was very diligent to write to you concerning the common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
2 Timothy 2:14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words of no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
1Timothy 6:20b-21 avoiding the profane [bad, objectionable, questionable or controversial language] and vain babbling [endless roads of talk that go nowhere] and contradictions [science or philosophies devised by man that falsely lead one to believe that the obvious answer to man’s problems can be manipulated by man intellect and not by God’s standard “the Word of God”]. of what is falsely called knowledge--- (v21) by professing it, some have strayed concerning the faith.
10. Truth speaks out of wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 1:2-7 to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, (v3) to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and truth, (v4) to give prudence [sound reason, to govern and personal discipline] to the simple, and to young men impart knowledge and discretion-- (v5) A wise man will hear and increase in learning. And a man of understanding will attain to give wise counsel, (v6) To understand a proverb and an enigma, (untie difficult knots) the words of the wise and their riddles. (v7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of this knowledge, but fools will despise wisdom and instruction..
11. Truth is not quick to speak, but measures the weight of every word.
James 1:18-19 Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to act in wrath.
12. Truth seasons itself to be easily received.
Even what may be a hard word, from the mouth of the wise, is good in the ear of all who hear it. [The right seasoning makes things taste good.]
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
13. Truth speaks out of a spirit of meekness.
Titus 3:1-2 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, (v2) to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all meekness to all men
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. [Visible sin is not suspicion; it is sin.]
14. Truth speaks out of a spirit of humility.
The question is, if some one presented you a medal of honor for being humble then pinned it on you; what would be the attitude in which you would wear it? Does this story fit? --They gave me a medal for being humble, then took it away when I pinned it on.--
2 Timothy 2:25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth (v26) and that they may come to their senses and escape the snares of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
1 Peter5:5b and be clothed in humility
15. Speak Accurately the words of God.
1 Peter 4:11b If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracle of God
Jeremiah 23:31 Behold I am against the prophets, says the Lord who use their tongues to say, He says.
Jeremiah 23:28b-29 The prophet who has a dream let him tell a dream; and he who has a word let him speak faithfully. (v29) Is not my word like a fire? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Ezekiel 13:6b but the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed.
Proverbs 18:16 a man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Jeremiah 23:32 “Behold I am against those who prophesy false dreams, says the Lord, “and tell them, and cause My people, to err by their lies and by their recklessness.
Deuteronomy 32:29 Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
Job 42:3 You asked who is this that hides (hidden mysterious) counsel without understanding.
1 Peter 1:10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you.
Ezekiel 13:3 Thus says the Lord God; “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
16. Take notice how you use your gift, and always keep it in the contexts of Scripture
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (v17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work,
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
17. Remember the ultimate prophetic book is the Scriptures themselves.
Romans 16:26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nation, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.
Mark 1:2 As it is written in the prophets.
Luke 24:25 Then He said to them, O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
Acts 15:15 And with these words of the prophets agree, just as it is written.
2 Peter 1:19-21 We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our heart; (v20) knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, (v21) for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
18. Remember God’s word is set forth to establish, impart grace, bless and restore; but never to destroy.
2 Corinthians 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being absent I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction..
Romans 1:11-12a For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established-- (v12) that is, that I may be encouraged together with you-1
Corinthians 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
1 Peter 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for the necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (v30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by which you were sealed for the day of redemption. (v31) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. (v32) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
