Speaking His Way

Have you ever heard the adage, “If Jesus was in the room with you, would you do what you are doing?” The point of that line of thought is that your actions would probably be different if Jesus was here. If you’re born again, though, He is not only near you, but He is in you. With that in mind, let’s phrase the question a little differently. “If you remembered that Jesus lives in you, would you say what you are saying?” He hears every word you say, you know, whether it’s directed to Him or not.

Psalm 94:9 “Does he who implanted the ear not hear? . . .” NIV

I really wish the Lord didn’t hear some of the things I said, and some of the attitudes with which I said them. Even more than that, I wish I hadn’t said those things at all. Unfortunately, even if I had only thought those things, never actually verbalizing them, He would have heard it just the same, according to Psalm 139:4. It’s all a matter of the heart, affecting our relationship with our Lord, and as such, the effectiveness of our prayers. Consider the following:

James 3:9-11 “⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” NIV

If fresh water is poured into salt water, there isn’t a layer of fresh water and a layer of salt water. There is only a slightly less potent mixture of salt water. Likewise, what does the Lord hear when we pray? He hears the mixture of all those things we’ve said at other times, along with our heartfelt prayers – not two separate sets of words. Considered this way, it’s amazing that any of our prayers are answered! How many more of our prayers will hit the mark and bring the needed answers when we begin to heed the many instructions He has given us in His written Word.*

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.” AMP

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer.” AMP

John 15:7-8 ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” NIV

Since we are created in His image, what comes out of our mouths at all times needs to be what Jesus would say. Our words should reflect Him to the world, not just when we pray. It’s really a matter of letting Jesus Christ be Lord over this part of our lives, and then watching as God moves in mighty ways through the prayers He now hears without all the added “noise.” Powerful praying as we grow in Christ, my fellow believers!

© Copyright 2008 Kay V. Stocking

*See http://tomakechristknown.wordpress.com December 9, 2008, post At His Word for more.