ICS Daily Devotions
Speak Life

In the beginning, the Almighty God created all things through the power of His Word. God’s Word carries His authority and creative power. He spoke and the world came into being. And now, Jesus upholds the whole world through the power of His Word. Even more importantly, Jesus’ Word sets sinners free, heals the sick, liberates the oppressed, and delivers the demon possessed.

1 Kings 19:2-3a, 10b (NKJV) Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time”. And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life… “I alone am left; and they seek to take my life”.

Because mankind is made in the image of God, words spoken by believers and unbelievers alike can carry tremendous power. Our words can bring either comfort or destruction. And our listeners can be built up, encouraged or strengthened; or struck down, demotivated or decimated. Our emotions can be stirred in either a positive or a negative way through the words spoken to us. These words strike our soul which is the seat of our emotions. And thus even Elijah, the mighty prophet of God, slid into self-doubt and fear upon being threatened by Jezebel. And this occurred straight on the heels of a powerful and victorious show-down with the prophets of Baal.

Whether we are the speaker or the listener in an interaction, we must guard our reactions, and draw from the new resource or spring available to us – the new heart of flesh that was given to us when we accepted Christ into our lives.

When we speak, let us seek to build people up. And when we listen, let us learn to sift through the words spoken to us and only keep that which is from God. Let us choose our words carefully and be guided by the Holy Spirit to speak life and not death. Let us use this power for good.

Amen. So be it.

Sermon Series: From Despair to a New Assignment