From The Pastor's Pen... 10/31/11

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof”  (Proverbs 18:21 AKJ)

As believers, we often miss the urgency and importance, of guarding our spoken words, which make up the sum total of our faith and confession. For that reason we need to take heed to the multiple warnings and instructions, such as the verse above, which can be found throughout the Old and New Covenants.

In Matthew 12:36 Messiah Jesus acknowledged the serious nature of that Kingdom Principle with this cautionary note, “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”  Actually, that warning becomes even clearer when we understand that the word rendered ‘idle’ by the King James translators, is from the Greek word “argos”, denoting an unfruitful action, or spoken negative word. We need to keep that truth in mind, because it is vital to our victory in daily life, as well as, our interaction with others among the true remnant of the body of Christ. And, because that positive confession regularly spoken over ourselves, and other believers, is the key to our spiritual victory, it must be free of any condemnation or negativity contrary to the revealed promises of God the Father. Further, and equally important, we must learn to clearly discern where, and by whom negative spoken confessions often originate, by studying the living word, as our guide.

We find an excellent example in Matthew the 16^th chapter, where Peters rebuke of Jesus in verse 22, was met with a counter attack from the Lord Himself in verse 23, although not a rebuke of Peter, but rather, of Satan. For Jesus Matthew tells us, had correctly recognized the devil, as the real perpetrator. In truth, Peter, as is often the case with us, had been duped into becoming the devils mouthpiece, and learned quickly to never repeat that particular error. In short, we must also learn to be on guard, against being used in any way by the enemy; by recognizing that our negative confessions over ourselves and other true believers are designed by the powers of darkness to thwart the agenda of God and our ultimate victory.

Consider these words of Jesus:

“For by thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt.12:37 AKJ).

From The Pastor's Pen... 10/24/11

“And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58 KJB).

The primary type of attack against our faith as a true remnant believer will always come in the form of lingering unbelief, originating with our chief enemy, Satan, as a quiet suggestion, or element of doubt, in an attempt to hinder our victory. In fact, the above verse from Matthew 13 indicates that, even Messiah Jesus, was not immune from the effects of such tactics.

In Matthew’s 13^th Chapter account of the story of Jesus’ visit and ultimate rejection in Nazareth, we find that the result of the attitude of those in the local synagogue rendered Him unable to perform “many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (v. 58). In our own lives and daily spiritual walk, we, also, will encounter negativity from those within the institutional church setting who’s belief system is based on, or may be anchored to, the opinions of, or commandments and doctrines of, men, rather than “sola scriptura”…the preserved scriptures…alone.

However, our chief method of combating such encounters can be found in the example of the father of the demoniac in Mark 9:24 who declared, “Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.” A simple act of positive confession, yet repentant petition, for his weakened condition, which, together, brought complete victory!

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23 KJB). 

(Notes from message given on 10/23/11.)