“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.” (2 Sam 23:2, NKJ)
One of the most important characteristics of being baptised with the Holy Spirit is that your tongue is under the control of the Holy Spirit. In Matt 12, where Jesus explained to the church leaders the concept that a tree is recognised by its fruit, he says later on: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt 12:34-37). That which fills your heart overflows to your mouth. Whatever comes from your mouth is the evidence of the extent of the circumcision of your heart.
For this reason James 3:5-11 explains that the tongue is the most dangerous member of your body. In verse 6 he expresses it rather strongly: “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” Solomon taught us: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Prov 18:21). You will eat the fruit of your words, whether they are life or death.
Hosea (14:3, BBE) urges you today to: “Take with you words, and come back to the Lord; say to him, ‘Let there be forgiveness for all wrongdoing, so that we may take what is good, and give in payment the fruit of our lips.’” Then you can comfortably say: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me and His word was on my tongue.”
- Sela: Make Ps 141:3 your daily prayer: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
- Read: Gen 40; Ps 40; Matt 10
- Memorise: Matt 10:29-31
