How Changing My Words is Changing My Life
Using Scripture to Train My Brain and Emotions
According to the research I’ve read, around 20% of the population is naturally positive; the other 80% of us have to work at it.
One of the biggest changes Jesus has made in my life is that I have become more joyful and positive over the years. But because I’m “naturally” more melancholy, I still have to consistently work at being hope and faith-filled.
The Bible Emphasizes Our Words
I’ve known for years that the Bible emphasizes the power of words to do both positive and negative things in our own lives and in the lives of other people.
Proverbs 18:20–21 for example teaches us, “From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied, he is satisfied, by the yield of his lips.(21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
This is but one of many verses that emphasizes the incredible power of our spoken words.
- Our words produce fruit that can satisfy our hunger
- Our lips have a “yield”, a harvest aspect
- Death and life are in the power of the words we speak
- I’m not 100% sure what “those who love it will eat its fruit” means, but one possibility is that if we love this process, we will experience positive results,”fruit.”
Self-Help or Biblical Truth or Both?
You’ve most likely heard self-help teachers talk about the power of positive affirmations to help us become more positive.
We’ve also seen Bible teachers tell us to “name it and claim it” to use the Bible to get whatever we want in life.
Both ideas have shut the minds of many Christians on what the Bible teaches regarding the power of our words.
We don’t want to get into the never ending and self-glorifying practices of secular self-help. We know we cannot save ourselves and we always need God’s grace and power to become who He has made us to be.
We don’t want to get into the greed or American success ideas that the “name it and claim” teaching so often produces.
But we want to grow in Christlikeness and live in greater measures of God’s love, peace, joy, faith, and every other godly virtue. We want to be productive and live out God’s purposes for our lives.
Words Can Really Help
In my life, I’ve discovered that if I keep my mind in the right place, I can live each day MUCH more godly and productively.
It really is a day and night difference in how I feel, engage with other people, and how productive I am, based on my mindset that day.
I’m amazed at how often I have to learn the same lesson, but it has FINALLY been deeply rooted in me. To be my best, I must proactively, consistently take steps to keep my mind and heart right.
As much as I know I can’t perfect myself, I need Jesus. I also know, He will not do this for me.
I do not wake up each day with Jesus filling me with joy and faith and love. It is potentially there, but I have to take consistent steps to align myself with Him and His word just about every day.
I have written down a series of biblical statements, followed by Scriptures, that I read almost every day and say out loud, often in prayers. I know many of these Scriptures by heart. I’ve studied them, meditated on them, and taught them in sermons over the years.
So why don’t they just rise out of my soul each day and automatically bring me to a place of joy and faith?
I have a leaky soul.
According to Scripture and excellent research, I can retrain my brain and renew my mind. That is happening as I study, meditate, pray, and speak out God’s word.
But there is always a new area that needs healing and transformation. There is new territory to be conquered in the Promised Land of my soul.
So, if I don’t fill it back up with these kinds of statements and Scriptures consistently, I slip into varying degrees of doubt, confusion, or condemnation.
I have to be proactive or in a few days, I’m nowhere near the best version of myself.
James 3:1–8 teaches us about both the positive and negative power of our words. Words can produce outstanding or terrible results.
Words can be like a bit in a horse’s mouth, turning that powerful animal in whichever direction the rider wants. The rider can turn the horse towards an open field or a ditch.
Words can be like the rudder of a massive ship, directing the ship wherever the captain decides. The captain can guide the ship to smooth waters or into an iceberg.
Words can be like a fire. A person can use fire to warm a home or burn down an entire forest.
We can use our words to create death or life; even in our own hearts and minds.
If we choose to use our words wisely, they can literally retrain our brain and build stability in our souls.
I’ve seen this doesn’t work if I do it now and then. As with every spiritual discipline, I have to do it consistently for it to work.
But, I’m telling you, when I am consistent with speaking and praying these Scriptures and statements out loud it totally changes my course for that day.
It doesn’t have to be with a lot of volume. Most days, I’m up really early and I don’t want to wake up my wife praying loudly. But there is an extra dimension to saying God’s words.
Some days I don’t feel like doing it. But almost always, as I remind myself of God’s truth, it ignites a flame in my soul and my mind goes to a good place rather than sliding into negativity.
How do we change our lives? One day at a time.
Each day that I say and pray these statements, I’m renewing my mind with God’s words and I’m getting my soul ready for a godly and productive day.
If you are interested in the statements I use, let me know in the comments below and I’ll be gland to send you my personal statements. You can use them as a starter for what you need.
For other spiritual growth resources and a FREE short book on how to grow spiritually when you don’t have much time, head over to www.TruVineMission.com
