This topic is something I feel like we will ALWAYS be coming back around to.
We hear it, change for a few days, and then we find ourselves back to our old mouthy ways because it doesn’t seem like such a big deal.
THE POWER OF OUR WORDS.
A couple words have grown more and more fad-like to use. And behind them are little demons just attracted to us as we sling careless words at our lives.
To name just a few:
Yes — a lot of everyday sayings exaggerate lack, defeat, sickness, negativity, and even DEATH in different areas of life. Linguists generally call this hyperbolic language (intentional exaggeration used for emphasis). Over time, some of these phrases become cultural habits even when people don’t literally mean them.
Harmless.
No one cares.
No one is serious.
What’s the big deal?
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Here is the big deal:
NAME AND CLAIM.
You are NAMING and CLAIMING demonic strongholds over your life when you speak this way.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs…”
You are attracting demonic spirits such as death, sickness, fear, and poverty, and reinforcing that you have those things in your life as you name and claim them for your own.
Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”
Not to mention, our physical bodies respond to what we THINK and SPEAK.
Joking or not… it doesn’t know the difference.
Research shows that when you focus on the good in your life, your brain literally rewires itself to look for more good. That is the power of neuroplasticity.
But the opposite is also true. If you repeatedly focus on negative thoughts or stress, your brain becomes more efficient at spotting more threats and problems.
I know, I know.
“Annie, some of these things are very real… and people deal with them.”
Yeah…. I know.
I ALSO have dealt with them.
I have experienced anxiety.
I have experienced fear and lack.
I have experienced sickness.
I have experienced death IN my home.
Do you think I ever want to do that again?
HELL no.
I want to do all I can to never have to experience those things again. And I certainly never want to come into AGREEMENT with the devil and his plans for my life by speaking words that attract those consequences.
QUESTION: So what if you DO feel anxiety, for example?
Instead of speaking it and reinforcing it in your life, what if you made ONE SMALL ADJUSTMENT and said:
“Lord, you see this anxiety I feel. Regardless of how I feel, I know you are good, you are faithful, you will protect me, and I am safe in this moment.”
Okay… what just happened there?
You agreed with the WORD OF GOD, not your feelings, the situation, or the problem.
You are not in denial — but you are giving your reality to Jesus and CONFESSING WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT IT.
Huge difference.
Careless negative words?
SOMEONE AROUND YOU, IN YOUR CIRCLE, MUST BE THE ONE TO STOP AND STAND OUT.
To set a different kind of culture. A new standard. New habits.
To begin speaking LIFE.
Let’s be that person who begins the change.
Words matter. Recognize that — and use your words to lay out the future that GOD has planned.
With Love, Annie
