In 2 Kings 4:8-37 was written the story of a godly, wealthy, and very hospitable Shunammite woman and her husband. Their hospitality in providing a room in their house to Prophet Elisha and his servant made him pray to God and prophesied a son for them. She delivered a son nine months later. The son grew up as he should be v.17-18.
Sadly, one day the woman’s grown son died after a brief sickness v. 18-20. This woman on realizing what had happened to her only son carried the dead boy to Elisha’s room, laid him on Elisha’s bed, and locked the door. She asked her husband to send a servant and an ass as she had decided to go and meet Prophet Elisha through whose prayers she had conceived the son. All she replied to her husband who tried to discourage her from embarking on her journey to Mount Carmel where Elisha ministered was, “It shall be well.”
She saddled an ass and instructed the servant to ride fast to Mount Carmel, giving no consideration to her being a woman. Elijah saw her from afar and knew from her countenance that there was a problem. He sent Gehazi his servant to run to her and asked what the problem was and all she told Gehazi was “It is well” v 25-26, despite knowing that all was not well at home. She got to Elisha and held his feet. All she did even in the anguish of her soul was questioning Elisha and she never mentioned the fact that the son had died v.27-28. Good enough, the dead son came back to life as Elisha laid on him three times and prayed for him v.33-37.
Prophet Elijah was the master of Prophet Elisha mentioned in the story above. He was a great, fearless, prayerful, and powerful Prophet of God who did great and uncountable exploits for God in the land of Israel as revealed in 1 Kings – 2 Kings 2. However, a time came when he fled to the wilderness because of Jezebel’s threats on his life (1 Kings19: 2-4). While there, he said to God, “It is enough: now, O Lord, take my life: for I am not better than my fathers.” (I king 19:4). He had what he asked for because God took him to heaven with by whirlwind by a chariot of fire and horses of fire (2 Kings2:11).
THERE IS POWER IN OUR SPOKEN WORDS.
The above stories drive home the effects our spoken words have on us and our situations positively and negatively. There are enormous powers in our spoken words. We could see that all that proceeded from the Shunammite woman’s mouth despite the seemingly terrible and heartbreaking situation were positive words that ministered life and health, “it shall be well,- it shall be alright” “It is well – it is alright.” These are great words of faith! She did not say any negative words about her son or the terrible situation at hand. Her words and actions were based on her strong faith in the God of Elisha. What we say out of our mouth to a very large extent reveals what we believe in our heart (2 Cor. 4:13). She got what she spoke and, in the end, all was well! Of a truth “with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” (Romans 10:10).
On the other hand, Prophet Elijah’s words were negative. The situation he was in did not warrant his reactions and the request that God should kill him. The wrong perception he had of the situation, loneliness, exhaustion 3-4; 18:46, and discouragements 1 Kings 19:1-4 and grief v10 overwhelmed him, and were responsible for his outburst statement. Notwithstanding, he got what he spoke! Did God not say that “As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you.” {Num. 14:28}.
The truth we must know is that most of the negativities many of us are experiencing at the present that we attribute to the attacks by our enemies, witches, wizards, and village people are the results of our past negative talks to our-self and our situations! The Scripture refers to our spoken words as fruits of the lips (Is. 57:19; Heb. 13:15) Therefore, when we speak, (good or bad words) we sow seeds into our individual life, situation, and environment and in the fullness of time we reap what we sowed be it good or bad. Every negative word spoken brings negativity to our lives while every positive word brings positive effects to our lives. The Scripture says, “A man shall eat goods by the fruits of his mouth; but the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul; but he that openeth wide his mouth shall have destruction.” (Prov. 13:2-3). Therefore, the Psalmist advised“What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” (Psalm 34:12-13).
SCRIPTURAL DESCRIPTION OF THE HUMAN MOUTH AND TONGUE
Man with the help of the organs in the mouth most especially the tongue can take in food and drink as well as formulate distinct syllables and form intelligible words and also put the words together to form tangible sentences. The Bible describes the tongue as a small member of our body because of its physical size compared to other human organs. James 3:5.
(1) However, it is said to be mighty and powerful in deeds. v6) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature….v8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:5-8).
Is it not surprising that the tongue has no bones yet it is strong enough to break a heart, it is fleshy yet the words that come from it emit fire that is capable of setting the course of nature on fire. It defiles the whole body, snares the soul and kills the spirit. Jam 3:6; It has no fangs yet its poison is said to be deadly. It is stuck in the mouth yet said to be unruly and untamable.
(2) The tongue is also said to have the power of Life and death. “Life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21). Can you now see why we were advised in the Scripture concerning the tongue,
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul; but he that openeth wide his mouth shall have destruction.” (Prov. 13:3).
“Whoso keepth his mouth and and tongue keepth his soul from troubles.” (Prov.21:23).
BE MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU SAY TO YOURSELF AND SITUATIONS.
All the points written above about the mouth and the tongue are all revelations to the fact that our words are not something to be used carelessly. They are all revelations to the fact that there are enormous powers in our spoken words! Therefore, each person must be very careful of what comes out of his or her mouth; because your words can build your life or destroy it. Positive words impact lives positively. It creates, repairs, heals, and builds. Positive words minister health and life. It edifies others. (Ps. 34:12-13; Prov. 15:4; 12: 14,18b). Negative words defile the whole body, snare the soul and kill the spirit of one another (Jam 3:6; Prov. 12:13 15:4). Negative words destroy the course of nature and our environments (James 3:6).
More often than not, our spoken words to ourselves and situations at all times particularly when we are in difficult situations are our undoing. This is because during unpalatable situations most especially during life’s challenges we easily let loose our guard on our emotions and feelings. We allow them to overwhelm us and at such times we complain, murmur, curse, abuse, insult, and say hurtful words of condemnation and criticism. We speak terrible negative words to God, others, ourselves and situations because of the bitterness, anger, pain, and anguish of our souls as Prophet Elijah did. This ought not to be so, because you will eventually have what you say. The Scripture says “thou art snared with the word of thy mouth; thou art taken with the words of the mouth.” (Prov. 6:2). The two cogent points of the effects of our spoken words as revealed above are as thus (a) our spoken words snares or traps, bonds and entangles one (b) we are caught or captured or held in captivity by our spoken words.
Another time we let loose our guard over our emotions and feelings are when we are with close friends in our leisure time. We joke, gossip, slander, backbit, mock and make jests of others and we say things we shouldn’t say. This is the time we say profane and corrupt and unwholesome words Jesus Christ warns us about. “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words thou shall be justified and by your words thou shall be condemned.” (Matt.12:36-37). This implies every one of our spoken words whether good or bad, deliberately or carelessly made counts. They are taken into account against each individual and are by what each individual shall be judged on the day of judgment. Every careless word spoken whether as a joke, swear, or curse has serious repercussions on the speaker. Apostle Paul added his voice to this too saying, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29). God hears everything we say and does not know jokes! Therefore, Apostle Paul charges “Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish and sinful talk, nor coarse jesting but rather thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4).
ARE YOU TALKING LIFE OR DEATH TO YOUR LIFE AND SITUATION?
As human beings, we all involve in self-talk consciously and unconsciously, positively and negatively on a daily basis. To self- talk implies talking to oneself. But are you aware that you hear, believe and internalize what you repeatedly say to yourself? The Scripture says faith comes by hearing. If faith comes by hearing, then doubt, fear and other negativities too come by hearing. We are recipients of what we say. If all you confess daily are negativities such as “life is hard for me”, “I am tired of life”, “Nothing is working for me.” “Bad luck is following me”, “This sickness will kill me.”, “This Country can never be good again.”
Self-abuse, self-insult, self-curse, self-condemnation, and others have negative effects on one. Be sure what you say is what you will get if you don’t repent and renounce all your negative words. Learn from the Shunammite woman who responded to her son’s death by saying, “It shall be well and “It is well.” King David proclaimed life to himself even when facing serious life challenges saying, “For I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” (Psalm118:17).
Always remember that as a Christian you are a king and a Priest unto God. (Rev 1:6). As a king, your word is power. (Eccl 8:4; Matt 18:18). And as a Priest, iniquity must not be found in your lips (Mal 2:7) because God honors the words of His servants. Therefore, you must be holy in all manner of communication. (1 Peter1:15). You are to praise God, bless people and not curse. (Rom. 12:14: Heb. 13:15).
Therefore, speak faith to your life, others, and situations as the Shunammite woman did and have back that which the devil had killed in your life and situations (Col 4:6). “Let the weak say I am strong” (Joel 3:10). Proclaim the Lordship of Jesus over your Country and situation for peace and stability by always saying, “The Lord reigns!” (Psalm 96:10).
WHAT TO DO
a) Confess your sins of evil speaking
b) Renounce all evil words you have spoken and possibly their effects on your life by embracing His gracious Salvation through faith in His son Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
c) Ask God to help you have control over your lips and tongue (Psalm 141:3).
d) Refrain your tongue from evil (1 Peter.3:10).
e) Cultivate the attitude of gratitude by obeying all the charges on in in the Scripture in Ephesians 5:20;1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 3;15-17; 2Timoty 2:1; Philippians 4:6
Giving thanks to God always weans one sinful communication. Therefore. Apostle Paul charges “Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish and sinful talk, nor coarse jesting but rather thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4).
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I.
