“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” (Psalms 141:3)
This is a prayer many of us need to pray every day—one that can spare us much heartache. As children of God, we must always remember that we are anointed, and so are our words.
In the beginning, God used words to create the world, and He has given us that same ability.
As 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
Our words carry the anointing, and it’s crucial to use them wisely.
Let me share an unforgettable experience that taught me this lesson in a powerful way.
An Unexpected Encounter
A couple of years ago, one Wednesday evening after work, I was on my way to Emancipation Park, a public space where people relax, jog, or enjoy stage shows. I often went there to unwind before heading to church.
As I got off the first bus and walked to the second to get to the park, I noticed a young man sitting on a metal casing in front of a bank. His appearance stopped me in my tracks. He was dirty, dressed only in ill-fitting trousers, and the crack of his bottom was exposed, even smeared with filth.
What broke my heart was how people walked past him as if he didn’t exist.
In that moment, I asked myself:
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
The answer came instantly. Despite feeling self-conscious about people staring, I walked over to him and asked:
"Are you hungry?"
He looked at me and said, "Yes. I want steam fish."
Though I didn’t have enough money for his request, as it was cheap or readily available, I told him I’d get him something to eat with what I had. I bought a banana, juice, and a bun with cheese from a nearby shop.
When I returned to hand him the bag of food, he asked, "Do you have a credit card?"
I was puzzled and asked why. He explained he wanted me to go across the street to get money for him. Immediately, I felt uneasy and, despite my desire to help, I walked away with the food still in my hand.
The Lesson God Taught Me
That night, I couldn’t shake the heaviness in my heart. At church and on my way home, I kept asking God why I felt so grieved. Finally, He answered:
"You see how you wanted to bless that man with the food you bought, not even worrying about what people thought when you walked up to him? It’s the same way the angels come with people’s blessings, but they open their mouths and say things that cause those angels to hold on to the blessing and return with it. It grieves me when that happens, just as it grieved you."
This revelation shocked me. It gave me a new perspective on the importance of our words.
Guarding Your Words
Many times, the enemy provokes us into speaking words that bring harm or curses upon ourselves or others. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” and this is not something to take lightly.
For example, when you feel pain in your body, do you immediately say, “I have diabetes” or “I have high blood pressure”? Such words give the devil power to work against you. Instead, we should declare God’s promises over our lives.
This is why God says in Joel 3:10, “Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” It’s not about denying reality but using the power of God’s Word to change your situation. The more you declare His promises, the more your faith grows, and the more His Word works for you.
So, what are some ways the enemy tries to get you to speak negatively about yourself or others? Recognize these traps and guard your words with God’s truth.
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Check out this short video snippet from my book Life's Journey our Great Test about not giving up. It speaks on the very topic in the post and how sometimes it affects us when we don't control what we speak. You can also subscribe to the Youtube channel YouTubeto grow more on your spiritual walk.
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