Power in the Tongue

If you have been in the Church long enough, you have heard that there is power in the tongue – so much power that “death and life” are in the words we speak (Proverbs 18:21). Until recently, my understanding of that scripture was pretty basic: speak good things to produce Godly fruit or speak negativity and kill the life around you. While that remains true (in the simplest terms), there is a much deeper revelation to the power that we possess through our tongues, especially in these last days.

A couple months ago, during prayer, I had a vision of bees pouring out of my mouth. (Blog post: The Great Pollination.) It was in that vision that God began to show me the power of His words and the importance of allowing Him to speak through us as a mouthpiece. At that time, He showed me that through prayer we can intercede to change the atmosphere and the circumstances in our own lives and the lives of others. That revelation has truly taken my prayer life to another level, but I believe there was still an important piece of knowledge missing.

“And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” (Acts 2:17-18, Joel 2:28) And they shall prophesy. This is not a gift reserved for only the elite of the elites in God’s kingdom as I had always believed. It is also not just the great prophetic scriptures (Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, and the Book of Revelations) that we read in the Word either. Prophesying is when we yield to the Holy Spirit and speak divinely (in a known language) to those around us. Paul tells the Corinthian church that prophetic speaking edifies and encourages both believers and unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14). The Lord has been opening my eyes to His expectations of the Church in these last days and those who grasp a hold of what God is speaking (and to what is written in scripture) really will prophesy. We will speak things into existence.

Understanding the power we possess in our tongue, when we are in the Spirit, is the key that unlocks the door to spiritual authority and dominion. Isaiah 55:11 (one of my favorite scriptures!) says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” That scripture is so powerful, it makes my brain hurt – when we speak in the Spirit, we become God’s mouth and fruit that pleases Him is produced. Whether we see it or not, His words do not return void.

Prophesy is a missing piece in the Church today. When was the last time (if ever) you spoke prophetically over someone’s life? We yield to the Spirit fairly well, speaking and praying in tongues, but when it comes to speaking prophesy, we shut down. Fear and pride drive us to question and doubt the words that God speaks to us. We fear being wrong, but if we are going to see end time revival, we must put ourselves and our egos aside. Scripture encourages us to “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” The gift of prophesy is essential in these last days; it will increase our faith and edify the Church as much as it will convict the hearts of lost and bring them to salvation.

Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to all of Your spiritual gifts. I desire to prophesy for Your Kingdom; I desire to heal the sick and work miracles that glorify Your Name. Help me to discern spirits and interpret tongues. Give me faith like never before and words of wisdom and understanding. Let these gifts work in my life to bring the lost to salvation and to strengthen Your Church. In Jesus Name. Amen.