Talk By Faith

Scripture Reading: James 3:1-12

Today's Treasure: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it" (Joshua 1:8).

A vital element in learning to walk by faith and obedience is learning to talk by faith and obedience. Both the Bible and personal experience teach us that human words possess much power. In fact, James 3:4 compares the tongue to the small rudder with the power to steer a large ship. James 3:6 compares the tongue to a fire that can corrupt and set aflame the whole person. Our words are potent no matter how we use them, but what would happen if we allowed God to take hold of them?

I'd like to suggest to you that we have no greater built-in vessel for the external expression of divine power than our mouths. Perhaps that's why Satan will do anything he can to set the tongue aflame with the fire of hell (James 3:6). He knows who holds the tongue can often hold the whole man. The tongues of God's people are meant to be set ablaze by the holy fire of heaven, accomplishing and achieving that which glorifies God. James 3:2 suggests that a chief sign of Christian maturity is a tamed tongue. Of this I'm certain: a sanctified mouth is too unnatural to ever be coincidental. If we want it, we're going to have to pursue it regularly and cooperate with God to receive it.

One primary way God sanctifies our tongues is to put His Word on it. The first strategy God gave Joshua for living victoriously and successfully in the Promised Land holds great significance. Before God told Joshua to meditate on His Word and live by its precepts, He issued this command: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth," (Joshua 1:8). What did God mean? Keep My Word on the tip of your tongue!

In the Old Testament the practice of meditation did not involve the thought life alone. It involved the mouth. In fact, some of the English meanings of the Hebrew word for meditation are "to murmur, mutter, speak, whisper." One definition adds that meditation "denotes a variety of utterances."* To the ancient Hebrew mind, a vital part of meditation was repeating a precept or a particular phrase of Scripture with the tongue and actually talking it over, even with oneself, while reflecting and thinking on it.

My husband is the epitome (even caricature) of what many picture a Texas man to be. Although he wouldn't be caught dead wearing a big belt buckle, he wears a cowboy hat, Wranglers, and one pair or another of a wide assortment of cowboy boots in his closet. He dresses the part and acts the part. He is a dyed-in-the-wool Texas trophy hunter.  I, a pacifist by nature, do not share his tastes and hobbies. I prefer books to kills, explaining why we call ourselves Keith the barbarian and Beth the librarian. I do, however, love the simplicity and relaxation of the life that surrounds his Texas sports.

Last spring I grabbed a Christian novel and went with Keith to the deer lease to close camp for the year. Late one afternoon we went for a walk with our two dogs. I balked when Keith grabbed a shotgun, but he was quick to remind me of numerous wild hogs and snakes in the vicinity, posing as much a threat to us as the dogs. As usual, he walked with the shotgun broken open and disengaged on his right forearm, safely separating the barrels from the trigger mechanism and handle. In his other hand was the leash attached to our fine bird dog. I had our other trusty dog (my best friend for ten years) on the other leash.

About a mile into our walk, my dog, Sunny, lunged suddenly and fiercely at something in front of her. My eyes didn't have time to adjust to the object of her fury before Keith had snapped the gun back into one piece, pitched it up so he could catch it by the trigger, and blew a rattler's head to bits. All with one arm. I'm talking Gunsmoke here. All we lacked was a swoon and a sweep. I was so impressed I nearly dropped to the ground. I couldn't get a single word out of my mouth. All I could do was look wide-eyed at my husband in astonishment and think, What a man!

Having God's Word ready on the tip of our tongues is like having a loaded shotgun on our walks to and through our Promised Lands. As long as we're armed, we can walk leisurely and peacefully because at a moment's threat, we are loaded and ready to shoot the head off that "ancient serpent called the devil" (Rev. 12:9). Think of the head representing authority. A stronghold is any way the devil tries to presume authority in our lives. If we belong to Christ, Satan has no right to exercise authority over us, but he hopes we're too ignorant regarding Scripture to know it. In the wilderness of temptation, Christ set an example of responding with the Word of God when under satanic assault. Knowing and claiming God's Word when attacked blows the head off enemy forces.

My God, Your words possess omnipotent achieving and accomplishing power. Thank You for allowing me to have them on the tip of my tongue. Please sanctify my mouth with Your holy Scriptures and empower me to overcome my enemy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

*"Old Testament Lexical Aids," Key Study Bible , #2047, 1511

Adapted from Believing God, by Beth Moore, pages 135-139. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2004. Used by permission.