“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. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:29-32
Many Christians are beginning to understand the importance of speaking life to their finances, their marriage, their health and many other circumstances in their lives. When we speak the Word of God over our lives and circumstances, we are speaking life. However, when we complain and speak negatively, the Lord actually calls that “corrupt communication”, “evil speaking” and even speaking “curses”. Charles Capps wrote in his book “God’s Creative Power” about a time in 1974 when the Lord spoke to him and said “I have told my people they can have WHAT THEY SAY, but they are SAYING WHAT THEY HAVE.” (see also Mark 11:22-25)
In Mark 11:23-24 Jesus tells us: “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Many have been teaching this principle for years and it is such an important principle to apply to our lives. Instead of speaking the negative circumstances, simply speak God’s promises over your circumstances and the creative power and force of God’s Word will cause the circumstances to change and line up with HIS WORD.
However, let us not stop there, but also apply this principle to our relationships with those around us. How are we speaking about our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Are we speaking life or death over them? Are we seeing the best in them and speaking positive things or do we keep rehearsing what we see as their limitations? It is vastly important for believers in these last days to understand the importance of speaking good things over each other. God does not want us complaining about each other and getting into strife and bickering. Instead of talking to others about the shortcomings of a brother or sister in Christ or what they’ve done wrong, speak God’s promises over them. Pray for them and when you have opportunity, speak good things about them. Find something positive to say about them and tell others those positive things! The next time you want to speak badly about someone else, or criticize them, stop yourself and determine to find something good to say about that person.
1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) says: “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1 John 4:21 says: “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
John 13:35 says: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
When the body of Christ is spending its time speaking negatively about each other to those around them, it is not a good witness. In actuality, the scriptures call this corrupt or evil communication and even speaking curses. When you talk about someone else in a negative light, even if you believe what you are saying is true, you are coming into agreement with what the devil has to say about that person. However, when we as a body of Christ walk in love toward each other, always looking to encourage and edify one another, speaking good things about one another, then we are coming into agreement with God.
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34
Jesus died for us. He is not talking negatively about us and our shortcomings. If Jesus does not condemn us, but instead died for us, who are we to condemn one another? Let us instead speak life about one another. Let us always find something good to say about those around us.
Romans 12:10
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another…”
Luke 6:31
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Mathew 7:12
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
Proverbs 6:16-19
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Proverbs 18:8
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
Proverbs 26:22 (NIV)
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts
Colossians 3:12-15 (NKJV)
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complain against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
John 15:12
“This is my commandment, “That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
1 Corinthians 16:14 (NKJV)
“Let all that you do be done with love.”
Further reading: 1 John 4:7-21; James 3:8-16, 1 Corinthians 13, Mathew 5:43-48, 1 John 3, Psalm 133, Ephesians 4
