A vital element of the christian life is what we do with our words. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and we choose what we want to release: life or death. (see Proverbs 18:21) Unless we learn to rule or tongue, we can thwart God’s plans and purposes for our lives. If we use our mouth to speak words seasoned with grace, that are filled with life, that build up and don’t tear down, then we can step into the blessings that God wishes to release into our lives. The mouth is a portal that can release realms: either realms of darkness through unclean words, or realms of heaven through speaking the word of God! Words are creative in nature and can animate different realities in our lives by the words we choose to speak.

The Spirit-Word Connection

God has bound Himself to His word. This means that when His word is spoken, received, believed or obeyed: His Spirit is then released into our lives. His Spirit rides on the chariot of His word. As we receive and step out in obedience to the scriptures, the Holy Spirit begins to flow and work in our lives by empowering, transforming and filling us with His presence. As a general rule, the Holy Spirit waits for the word to be present before He moves on our behalf.

In the creation account in Genesis, we see that the Holy Spirit was “hovering over the face of the waters,” but He didn’t move until “God said.” The moment the Word left the mouth of God, the Spirit began to create. (see Genesis 1:1-3) He waited until the Word was present before He moved. In the same way when the word of God is present in our lives the Holy Spirit has something to work with, but in the absence of revelation the Holy Spirit is put on hold and waits hovering over the waters of our soul.

All words are spiritual in nature because spirits attach themselves to them and use them like vehicles to accomplish their purposes, both spirits of darkness and the Spirit of God. Understanding this connection will help you see why it is important to filter the words you speak, and to speak only those that release purity, life, and freedom.

Words Create Atmospheres

“The words I speak are Spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63)

When Jesus would speak the word of God, the Holy Spirit would be released into an atmosphere. His words carried/carry presence. This same principal applies to us: everything that comes out of our mouth carries a “presence” whether good or evil. Words are portals by which spiritual realities flow into the natural dimension.

When we speak God’s word, His presence and power flows from the kingdom of heaven into our lives. Unfortunately this principle can be applied in the opposite: when we curse, swear, gossip, or speak lies, we are allowing evil spirits and sin to flow through our words into our hearts. The devil exploits our words and uses them to gain a stronghold in our lives. The more filth we speak, the more we submit to the devils influence and authority over us. Whatever comes out of our mouth contributes to creating the spiritual atmosphere around us that we live in. This is why we must absolutely watch our tongue! Every word must be measured against the word of God. Is this pure? Is this kind? Would Jesus say this?

“The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. Placed among the parts of our bodies, the tongue contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6)

These are strong words, “and itself is set on fire by hell.” This gives us a glimpse into the tragic reality that the tongue can be such a tool of destruction in the hands of the enemy. Fortunately for children of God the opposite can be true, our tongue can be set ablaze by the fire of God when we speak His word from our lips. His word is a portal that releases the reality of heaven when we speak it, meditate on it and declare it to ourselves and others.

“Did not our hearts burn within us as He opened the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)

“Your word is as a fire shut up in my bones.” (Jeremiah 20:9)

The words we speak are the difference between life and death, blessing or curses, victory or defeat. We must filter what we speak by the word of God. We must stop using profanity, crude jokes, gossip, and lies, because these things defile us and bring darkness into our lives. You can speak pure words and release life, or you can speak words of death over yourself and others.

Our words are magnetic in nature and pull on unseen realities. Sinful words pull on the atmosphere of hell, but the word of God pulls on the atmosphere of heaven. Shut the door on the enemy and refuse to speak unclean things, and you will stop the flow of darkness and destruction in your life.

“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what he says is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” (James 3:2)

“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4)