SPEAK RIGHT Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs. - Pearl Strachan Scripture reading: Numbers 14:20-32 The Miranda rights is a warning that is required to be given by the police in the USA to criminal suspects before they are interrogated, notifying them about their constitutional rights. The typical Miranda warning is worded as follows: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense. Words are very important and have serious implications in the spiritual realm too. Our scripture reading for today recounts Gods response to the children of Israel after the return of the spies from searching the Promised Land. The background to this passage stated in Numbers 13 described the spying of the land by elders of the twelve tribes chosen by Moses per Gods instruction. All the elders returned with a vivid description of the fruitfulness of the land that flowed with milk and honey. They even brought back tangible evidence of the grapes of the land which were so big that two strong men had to carry a bunch on a pole. This was really the land of the giants with every blessing in colossal proportion. However, ten of the elders completely lost sight of the fruitfulness of the land and the infallible promise of God given several generations ago to Abraham that his descendants would possess the land. They presented a series of evil reports of the land to the rest of the people through discouraging speeches as stated in Num. 13:26-33. On the contrary, two of the elders, Joshua and Caleb looked beyond the obstacles of the land and spoke about their ability to possess the land by the grace of God. The elders may not have been fully cognizant of the power of their words not only on the children of Israel but in the realm of the spirit. All the twelve elders were judged by the words that proceeded out of their lips. The ten elders who confessed fear, low self-esteem and death received the fruit of their tongue as they all died in the wilderness. The power of their words were emphasized when God said in Num. 14:28, Say to them, As I live, says the LORD, just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you. The other two elders, Joshua and Caleb who spoke faith, victory and life were the ones who made it to the Promised Land. Life and death are indeed in the power of the tongue as stated in Pro. 18:21. The Lord emphasized this fact in Matt. 12:36-37, But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Like the Miranda rights, you also have certain constitutional rights as a covenant child of God. You have a choice to speak words based on the inalienable promises of God such as your purchased redemption, healing, perfect health, long life and prosperity; remain silent until you are well versed in the promises of God and when youre in the presence of your spiritual attorneys, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit; or speak words of discouragement, fear and doom to your own peril. Whatever you say will be used for or against you in the supreme court of the universe. In this period of the Octoberfast and beyond, purpose to speak right in every circumstance of life. As the preacher said in Pro. 15:4a, a wholesome tongue is a tree of life so carve out your destiny on earth with spirit-filled words consistent with the word of God. Memory verse: For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. - Matt. 12:37 (amp) Rev. Dr. Isaac Paintsil ©
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 11:13:06 +0000
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