Wednesday, 22^nd November 2023

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” – Proverbs 18:21

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. How can the words of our tongue affect our future?

 

It took Isaac to intreat the Lord for Rebecca, his wife, to conceive twins (Gen 25:21). While in the womb, the struggle between two brothers began (Gen 25:22). Rebecca wanted to understand this, so she went to God, and this was the word of God: “Two nations are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from your bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger” (Gen 25:23).

God who sees the future spoke concerning things to come, and Rebecca believed God.

On the day of their birth, the younger came out holding the heels of the elder. Esau was the elder and he was entitled to a birthright. At the death of his father, Esau being the firstborn was to assume the place, property and power of his father. Along with the birthright went the father’s blessings. Rebecca, over the years had not forgotten what God had said to her, “…the elder shall serve the younger." Hence, she desired that the birthright and the blessings come to Jacob the younger. It is interesting to note this—Esau sold this birthright to his brother and later regretted it.

But how did it happen if birthrights are not certificates we hold, but spiritual entitlement designed and instituted by God?

One day, Jacob was cooking stew when Esau returned from hunting famishing. He asked his younger brother for some of his stew to eat (Gen 25:30). Jacob retorted, "For the stew, you will need to sell me this day your birthright" (Gen 25:31). Can birthright be sold? Jacob demanded that his elder brother swear to him that from this day his birthright has passed on to him (Gen 25:33), and Esau did. “After all, they are mere words to swear. Everybody knows that I am the firstborn,” Esau must have thought.

Esau did not know that once words are spoken, an event has been initiated, and by swearing, he had initiated the transfer of his birthright to his brother.

Beloved, words are power; it will cost you dearly to play with words. Hence, the writer of the book of Proverbs revealed by the Spirit that life and death are in the power of the tongue and those who love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Prov 18:21). When the days of Isaac drew nigh, he set the stage to bless Esau because he knew he was the firstborn. Little did Isaac know that Esau has sold his birthright. Even though Isaac wanted to bless Esau, Jacob took the blessing. It was a sad day for a man who played with his birthright and lost it. Esau wept and asked if that was all the blessing the father had?

Precious one, are the words of your mouth, and the meditations of your heart acceptable in the sight of God?

Do you joke with words or do you reflect before you speak? Are you like Jacob—who knows the value of words—or you are like Esau— anything goes? Are you a person whose language is influenced by God’s word or by the world’s language? Don’t you know that by your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned (Matt 12:37). Never speak ill of yourself or another person. Rather, learn to say to yourself—I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I triumph in all things, my life is going forward every day, I am the blessed of the Lord, I have everything that pertains to life and godliness, I am the object of God’s love. Glory to God! Remember: “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil [worthless, injurious], and his lips that they speak no guile [deceit, craftiness]" (1 Peter 3:10). Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING – Gen 25:20-34

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so   

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How wise are you with your words?

 

CONFESSION

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus I receive grace to bridle my tongue and guard my lips. From today going forward, I affirm that my words are conforming to God’s word, always steering away from corrupt and worthless communication.  Glory to God!

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Nehemiah 10; Amos 2; 1 Timothy 4; 1 Timothy 5