I. The Lip Gate -Curses Christians tend to think of the word curse as referring to taking the LORDS Name in vain. But it is more than that. In its more potent form, it means to bring someone else down, to denigrate, and to belittle. It also encompasses ensnaring. The way we bind ourselves up in the spiritual, soulish and physical realm most often comes through what we refer to as the Lip Gate, because we give permission to open gates with our own mouths. We are studying to learn how to be people who open gates to Gods blessing and close gates to hells harassment. Alluding to the Spiritual Gates standing ready to be opened or shut, God says, I set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Then He gives us a clue as to what to choose when He says: Now choose life so that you and your children may live. [1] Today were so modern that we have an aversion to the use of the word curse, because we think curses only happen in foreign countries. The Bible refers to blessings 365 times but cursing is mentioned over 600 times. How come we accept the blessings, but balk at the curses? Its because the enemy of our souls has reduced the truth by mocking it and scoffing at it. Remember the downward progression to death indicated in Genesis? Deception, disbelief, doubt, distrust, division, defeat, death. We are being deceived that curses are real, then we disbelieve in them, next we doubt Gods Word, placing it in the same categories as Old Wives Tales, then we doubt Gods Word entirely. Lets see what the Bible says about the power of the Lip Gate. A. The Snare The Bible says, You are snared by the words of your mouth. [2] The Hebrew word translated snare [3] means to ensnare, lay a snare; to be snared, to be caught. We can lay a trap for ourselves as well as for others. The word is used with reference to a fowler who sets a trap. [4] We do it when we belittle another or even ourselves. For when we call either ourselves or someone else stupid, the enemy of our souls either sets up a situation to prove it to us, and/or uses other people to reinforce this opinion. This cursing ourselves, or cursing by other people, eventually weaves a spiritual fabric around the person. How does cursing ensnare us? The Bible gives a clue when it tells us that a person who loves cursing eventually wears it like a garment. Ps 109:16-20 16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the Brokenhearted. 17 He loved to pronounce a curse--may it come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing-- may it be far from him. 18 He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.19 May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, Like a belt tied forever around him. 20 May this be the LORDs payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me. NIV The word translated clothed means to wrap around, that is, to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another) literally (to) wear. So the man, who loves cursing, wraps and snares himself by the words of his mouth. This Psalm says the curse comes on the person speaking them, that they are wrapped about him like a cloak and a belt. All of this comes because he opens the Lip Gate. The word translated cursing is the Hebrew [5]It is a vilification, a reviling, a reproach, a curse or cursing... It was the opposite of blessing... It is the lowering to a lesser state. It comes from another Hebrew word, [6]Which means to be small... to be lessened, to be despised... to belittle; to make light of, So when we revile, reproach, esteem lightly, despise, make insignificant, bring into contempt, belittle others, or ourselves we are weaving a garment, which weighs upon us. The childrens singsong verse that says, Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me is a total lie! Words inflict some of the most painful wounds of all. II. How Our Words open Gates. A. Parents open gates for children When a parent says to a child, Youre stupid! Youll never amount to anything! first of all, the child believes him! The only measuring rod he or she has is the parents, and so accepts the information. That is bad enough, but the truth is, by pronouncing any curse upon a child, the father or mother gives permission to loose hell on the child. Hell listens for curses and puts them into effect. The next time the child does something wrong, he remembers what his father said and believes his father must be right, he really is stupid. And hell is right there to reinforce it. How many of us can relate to that? We had a father who made those remarks. Or a grandfather. Or an uncle or aunt. Or a teacher. And we couldnt do anything right in their presence from then on. You are snared by the words of other peoples mouths- especially parents, teachers and people in authority. B. We open our own gates. We can curse ourselves. We speak out the curse that we are failures! That well never get ahead at work! Modern psychology calls it a self-fulfilling prophecy, but the spiritual reality is that then hell enforces the edict spoken from your own lips to make sure you never forget it. and that it is reinforced as a reality by teachers, co-workers, friends, whoever. What is today considered negative self-talk may not really be self-talk at all but the enemy of our souls right there reminding us in a voice just under the level of human hearing of things we spoke ourselves. It is so popular today to put ourselves down. Its all over television. The one who gets the most laughs is the one who makes everyone else look stupid or foolish. We noticed this when we had a houseguest who loved to watch a comedy on television. Since we had never watched that show, we were surprised by how beaten down and negative we became just watching it. It permeated our home. So we finally said this was not a program we would allow into our home. The television is a gate. Be careful what you let in. Television is a Lip Gate that is opened through passivity. In the computer industry they say: Garbage in, garbage out. Its true in what we watch and listen to and read. Garbage in, garbage out. Passively watching a program that stimulates talk that doesnt glorify God opens gates. But lets get back to the Lip Gate. We knew a couple who was always joking around, saying, If anything bad is going to happen, it will happen to us! Ha ha ha! Guess what always happened? The man would say, Ill never get a good job with benefits and a paid vacation! Guess what? He never could! And the reason is because he loosed hell on himself with his own mouth. He opened the Lip Gate and hell walked right in. Not only that, but he closed the gate to Gods blessings. So we counseled this person telling him what we had learned about blessings and curses. Since we were close, we did not suggest that he speak blessings on himself (because we knew he wouldnt do that). We just suggested that he do the most spiritual thing he could do in the circumstance: Shut Up! Just stop verbalizing curses. So he did that. Within two months he had a good job with a national company with benefits and paid vacations. His car quit breaking down and he quit getting lost when they went on trips. You are snared by the words of your mouth. Once he shut the lip gate, no new permission was granted, and his circumstances began to change. C. Gossiping friends and relatives open gates. We think that what we say it doesnt matter, but it does. The only difference between man and animals is the ability to speak. They used to teach that man was higher on the food chain because he used tools, but then found a bird that wove nests and an ape that used tools. From the Bible, we can deduce that it is our ability to verbalize words that makes us made in the image of God, for the first thing God does in the Bible is speak. Take note that what He spoke was blessings! We should imitate God! Early on in our study of the Bible, we asked God to give us empirical proof of the truths in the Bible, and have found evidence that this truth of wearing curses like a garment is real. When praying with a person over several weeks, we found that she could not get free and we could not discover the reason. There was no blatant sin. She had not cursed herself. So we stopped the prayer and waited a couple of weeks to hear from the LORD. After awhile, she came back and said I think someone has been cursing me. So together we went before the LORD, and He revealed to us that it was not some Satanist with a cauldron, but just people who had gossiped about her behind her back. Some were friends and some were relatives. They had said that because she had been married and divorced twice, she would never be able to have a good marriage. She forgave them and asked the LORD to break the curses spoken by them, and she felt a covering being lifted off her. After that, she had the freedom she desired. You are snared by the words of your mouth and you ensnare others by the words of your mouth. D. Cult groups can curse you. When Penne had learned these truths, and had begun helping others to gain victory, one night she awoke and the LORD told her to break the Masonic curses spoken over her. Her father had been a Mason, although only on the very bottom level, but the Masons speak curses over their children. When she broke the Masonic curse, she sensed a sort of plastic skin being stripped off. But dont let this scare you. As we taught you in the first couple of classes, you have all the power and authority you need! You simply pray and break any curses spoken over you. Well show you how at the end of this class. And even though words are powerful, impacting ourselves, our children and others, they are even more powerful than we think because III. Your Words Advance Kingdoms. Our words either advance the kingdom of God or the kingdom of hell. There is really no middle ground. Even when speaking about ordinary subjects, our tone and attitude can color our words, sliding them onto one side or the other. When we gossip we advance the kingdom of darkness a little bit. If we bless someone, then we advance Gods kingdom of light. In the context of living as children of light, Ephesians 4 includes an admonishment to put off falsehood and speak truthfully. That means, when we lie we advance hells kingdom. When we tell the truth, we advance Gods. The Bible says, when angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath- your exasperation, your fury or indignation- last until the sun goes down. It then continues, Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil - give no opportunity for him. [7] The word translated room or foothold is the Greek word topos (from which we get our word topography) and means a literal piece of ground. A. The devil listens to our words. Our words make room for hell to harass us. Since we have already learned that we are a three-part being, we already know that the devil cannot touch your spirit. It belongs to God. So, the only place the enemy can gain a foothold is in your body or your soul. When we perform sinful acts, he gains a toehold. When we produce sinful words, he gains entry. The devil cannot read your mind, but he can read your lips. When you spew out hatred, it does not bring glory to God, but it does bring glee to the devil. You are acting as his emissary. Sometimes the most holy thing you can do is shut up. The Bible says to shun profane and idle babblings for they will increase to more ungodliness. [8]a harsh word stirs up anger. [9] and ...avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife [10]Shut up! God demonstrated the power of the spoken word first when He spoke all the worlds into existence with a word! Then he passed that powerful capacity on when he gave Adam the charge of naming all the animals. In doing so, Adam was given authority over them. Our words are very important. In the Garden of Eden, Satan deceived Eve through words, and Eve (through her spoken words) furthered the kingdom of darkness. Adam, though not deceived,[11] listened to the words of his wife, and the race of man fell from its lofty position. Therefore, it all was a picture of the importance of our words. God gives us direction in His Word concerning the use of words: Proverbs 18:21 Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. Romans 12:14 Bless and do not curse. Proverbs 12:6 The mouth of the upright will deliver them. Choose your words carefully. They advance an entire kingdom. But there is hope. Just as you have learned to walk in the Spirit in proper alignment, you can order your speech. And you are not alone. Jesus wants to help you. The Bible says, It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who even at the right hand of God also makes intercession for us.[12] You can depend on Jesus to be praying for you as you determine to order your conversation aright.[13] B. God listens to our words. In the Book of Numbers following the debacle when the Israelites listened to the evil spies instead of listening to the faith-building words of Caleb and Joshua that God would enable them to overcome the enemies in the Promised Land, the people came into agreement with the negative speaking spies saying that the people were giants and they were grasshoppers, saying they would die here in the desert. Listen to what Almighty God said to Moses and Aaron. How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. So tell them, As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: In this desert your bodies will fall- everyone of you twenty years old or more. [14] God listens to what you say. The Power of Agreement Another powerful part of the significance of words is found in Genesis 11, the chapter that details the events surrounding the building of the Tower of Babel. It begins, Now the whole earth was of one language and one speech, Then continues on to detail how the people decided to build a tower out of bricks and mortar which would withstand any flood God could send and would prevent them from being scattered all over the earth. That was in direct opposition to Gods command to Adam, Increase and multiply and fill the earth, The story continues to indicate that the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of man had built. (v. 5) Listen to what the LORD Himself says about the power of agreement in speech: And the LORD said, behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do; and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. There is something about agreement that compels the answer to come. Remember Jesus said, If two of you shall agree as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father. (Matthew 18:19) I believe that agreement is so powerful because one person has to give in. Whenever you give up your agenda to support someone elses, (however momentarily) God takes notice! So when you come into agreement with the Holy Spirit about who you are in Christ, your power increases. When you come into agreement with the enemy of your soul that you are not who the Bible says you are, you lose power. Speak the Words of God with boldness- even if you are unsure of yourself. C. Our words have eternal consequences. Jesus Himself said told us about the importance of our words. He said, ... what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. [15]He also said By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. [16] Just before that, Jesus said, But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. [17] God holds us accountable for our words. However, we have the privilege of choice. Along with Joshua, we can ..Choose for (y) ourselves this day whom you will serve...[18] The Bible says, Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be.[19] So the question is: whom are you serving with your lips? Which way is the gate swinging? Toward blessings or toward curses. Ask the LORD to change your mind and your mouth. Here are some positive things that come out of speaking rightly: A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. Proverbs 12:14 The tongue of the wise promotes health. Proverbs 12:18 He who guards his mouth preserves his life. Proverbs 13:3 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23. What is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and they lips from speaking guile (Psalms 34:13) I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. Psalm 39:1 For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. I Peter 3:10 And the best one of all... And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb And by the word of their testimony. Revelation 12:11 Lord God, help us to guard our tongues. We pray, along with the Psalmist Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips [20] Help me to so fill my own lips with Your Word that it is the first thing I think of. Your Word says, Concerning the works of men, by the Word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.[21]. LORD; fill me with Your Word so that my words advance only Your Kingdom. With Jesus Christ we pray, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. Our words either advance Gods kingdom or hells domain. So what? So why do we care about the Lip Gate? We care because we want to know when we have closed the door to Gods Blessings and opened the door to hells harassment and how to stop. What we are going to do is to spend a little time in prayer asking the LORD to bring to our mind any ways that we have opened the gate to hell and closed the door to God. When you have cursed yourself pray: Father, in the Name of the LORD Jesus Christ I repent of having cursed myself when I said (speak it out) _____________________________________________________________ In Jesus Name I break the curse. I renounce Satans right to rule over me in this area of my life and I speak a blessing over myself. Now speak a promise out of the Bible. Some possibilities are: I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) My God shall supply all my needs by His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:19) I have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16) God is working in me both to will and to do His good pleasure. (Phil. Phil 2:13) LORD God, Open the Gate to Blessings in Jesus Name! If someone else has spoken a curse over you: Father, in the Name of the LORD Jesus Christ I break the curse (insert name here) spoke over me when he/ she said: _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ In Jesus Name I break the curse. I renounce Satans right to rule over me in this area of my life and I speak a blessing over myself. Now speak a promise out of the Bible. Some possibilities are: I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) My God shall supply all my needs by His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:19) I have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16) God is working in me both to will and to do His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13) LORD God, Open the Gate to Blessings, in Jesus Name! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] Deuteronomy 30:19 [2] (Proverbs 6:2.) [3] Strongs # 3369 yaqosh [4] Ibid, page 2323 [5] qlalah (Strongs #7045) [6] Ibid. qlal (7043). [7] Ephesians 4:26, 27 [8] II Timothy 2:16 NKJV. [9] Proverbs 14:1 [10] II Timothy 2:23 [11] I Timothy 2:14 [12] Romans 8:34 [13] Psalm 50:23 [14] Numbers 14:27-29 NIV [15] Matthew 15:11 [16] Matthew 12:37 [17] Matthew 12:36. [18] Joshua 24:14, 15. [19] James 3:10 [20] Psalm 141:3) [21] (Psalm 17:4 KJV
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 02:44:15 +0000
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