Words of Life

Recently a specific theme has been appearing in my quite time, current circumstances, and different teachings. That being speaking Words of Life, calling out the good and great in people no matter your personal preference or situation. To be frank this is something that I am not particularly good at. I don't always choose to steer the conversation away from how Veronica is a terrible person because she likes to eat peas, and sometimes (okay, most of the time) I can be the one who brings up Veronica. That is a silly example, but I amaze myself at the petty things people (I) get their panties in a wad over. It is an ugly weakness I see in myself, something I feel conviction about and sincerely seek the Lord deliverance for. And in His goodness He is.

So I thought I would share the accumulation of some of the thoughts and teaching Jesus has been rooting in my heart.

Last week at church we had this AMAZING guest speaker come and speak. I can not remember his name for the life of me, but he is from the Philippines and I am convinced that is why he was so wonderful. Any who he spoke about Sonship and our identity in Christ. Something he said that just punched me right in the face was a long these lines, When we begin to agree with the lies of the enemy about ourselves or those we know we are no longer aligning ourselves with the Kingdom of Life, found eternally only through Jesus Christ, but with the kingdom of death, which is ruled by the devil (Hebrews 2:14). And when we submit ourselves to the Kingdom of Satan we are no longer living out our Sonship to the Father, therefore losing our authority over sin and death. (Hebrews 2:14)

Dang.

That really hit me hard; when I choose death over myself or others I am no longer walking in the authority over sin and death that I have in Jesus. And I wonder why I begin to struggle in others of my life. Ridiculous.

I recently began reading through Hebrews and the theme continued. In Hebrews 3:13 Paul says, "But exhort one another every day as long as it is called today that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." In context Paul is talking about when the Israelites were lead of of Egypt and then into the wilderness and God vowed that that generation would never enter into "rest" or the promise land. What led to that consequence? Well if you look back the Israelites were complaining like no other.  They were speaking negatively about their circumstances, God, their leader Moses, the whole nine yards. They were a hot mess and aftermath ensued.

The same principles applies to us today. When we speak negatively about people we lose sight of all God has done, who He is and His promises; we disqualify ourselves from the richness of living life with and through Jesus (Hebrews 4:1).

But rather when we choose to exhort one another, to truly see each other as being created in his image and from that truth encourage each other to become a fuller picture of Christ we then stay away from the deceitfulness of sin (3:13). Remember, just as we have authority to speak death over each other, we have an even greater authority to speak LIFE over one another. Some of the most influential people in my life impacted me because they chose to see me with a heavenly perspective, they called out and developed strengths God had hidden my heart. There is fruit in looking past the yuckiness and calling out the truth and goodness in people.

So I exhort you friends and family to watch what you say. Next time you want to "vent" ask yourself, will I be aligning myself with the Kingdom of death and not walking as a Daughter or Son of God.. Speak love and light over you, your family, your friends, and your enemies.