Does Your Tongue Need Healing? Preparing for Greater Things
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to experience breakthrough after breakthrough while others remain stuck? The answer might be closer than you think – it could be right in your mouth.
What Does It Mean to Be Called for Greater Things?
Jesus promised that those who have faith in Him would do greater things. This isn't just for a select few – it's for every believer. Yet Scripture tells us that "many are called, but few are chosen." The question becomes: how do we increase those odds?
Looking at biblical examples, we see a pattern. Joseph went through years of difficulty before God elevated him. Jesus spent 30 years in obscurity before His ministry began. David was anointed as king but faced trials before taking the throne. Each had a preparation period where God worked in their hearts.
We're called to the kingdom for such a time as this – not by accident, but for a purpose. God is preparing us for something greater, but there's a qualification process we must understand.
The Connection Between Your Heart and Your Words
Psalm 19:14 provides a powerful prayer: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."
Jesus taught a fundamental principle: "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). What's in our heart will always come out through our words. A good heart produces good fruit, while a corrupted heart produces bad fruit – there's nothing in between.
The Bible uses the imagery of a tree to illustrate this truth. The root represents our heart, and the fruit represents what comes out of our lives. If the root is holy, the branches and fruit will be holy. If the root is unholy, everything else follows suit.
Why Your Words Determine Your Spiritual Atmosphere
Here's a life-changing truth: you can choose the atmosphere you live in. Your words don't just reflect your heart condition – they actually create the spiritual environment around you.
The tongue is compared to a ship's rudder in Scripture. Though small, it determines the direction of the entire vessel. Similarly, our words can turn our entire lives toward blessing or cursing.
Consider the Israelites at the edge of the Promised Land. Ten spies brought a negative report, saying "If only we had died in Egypt or in the wilderness." Their words became their reality – they died in the wilderness. But Joshua and Caleb declared, "We can certainly take this land," and they were the only ones from their generation to enter the Promise.
The Two Fires That Can Touch Your Tongue
James 3:6 warns that the tongue can be "set on fire by hell." This fire produces slander, gossip, anger, and words that tear down rather than build up. Satan, whose name means "slanderer," loves when Christians do his work for him through negative speech.
But there's another fire available – the fire of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, tongues of fire rested on the disciples, and they began speaking life and truth with supernatural power. We can choose which fire touches our tongue.
How to Cleanse Your Heart and Transform Your Speech
The good news is that no matter how we've spoken in the past, Jesus has paid the price for our fresh start. Here's a practical process for heart transformation:
Step 1: Be Honest and Call Sin by Its Name
Don't minimise wrong attitudes or hurtful words as "mistakes." Call them what they are – sin. Whether it's anger, gossip, criticism, or negativity, be honest with God about what needs to change.
Step 2: Confess and Repent
Tell God specifically what you've done wrong. Say, "Lord, I confess that I've been like this, and I'm sorry. I repent and choose not to live this way again."
Step 3: Receive Forgiveness Immediately
Don't wallow in guilt or condemnation. The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin. Receive His forgiveness right away.
Step 4: Yield to the Holy Spirit
Make a conscious decision: "Holy Spirit, I surrender my heart and tongue to You. Every time temptation comes to speak negatively, I choose to yield to You instead."
Making Things Right with Others
If you've hurt someone with your words, Scripture is clear – you must make it right. The Bible says there's no point bringing worship to God if you're not right with others in the fellowship. Your worship won't be accepted until relationships are restored.
This means apologising when you've been wrong. It means saying, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that" or "I shouldn't have acted that way." This practice has been lost in our culture, but it's essential for spiritual breakthrough.
What You Reflect Upon Becomes Your Reality
There's a spiritual principle at work: what you consistently focus on and speak about becomes your reality. If you constantly reflect on problems and speak negatively, that becomes your experience. But if you reflect on God's promises and speak His truth, that becomes your reality instead.
Every promise in God's Word is "yes" in Christ Jesus. When we align our hearts and words with His truth, we position ourselves for the greater things He wants to do.
Life Application
God is preparing His people for something greater – not just individually, but corporately. He wants to move in power, but He can only trust those who have yielded their hearts and tongues to the Holy Spirit.
This week, make a conscious effort to monitor what comes out of your mouth. When you feel tempted to speak negatively, complain, or hurt someone with your words, stop and say, "Holy Spirit, I yield to You." Ask Him to put His fire on your tongue – not the fire of hell that destroys, but the fire of the Holy Spirit that brings life.
If you've hurt someone with your words, don't wait – go and make it right. Apologize genuinely and ask for forgiveness. Your breakthrough may be waiting on the other side of that difficult conversation.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What typically comes up in my heart when I don't get my way or hear "no"?
- Are there people I need to apologize to for hurtful words or attitudes?
- What atmosphere am I creating around me with my words – faith and life, or negativity and death?
- Am I willing to let the Holy Spirit have complete control over my heart and tongue?
Remember, you can choose the atmosphere you live in. Choose wisely, because greater things are waiting for those who will steward them well.