Several years ago, I buried Nita Smith. I still miss her. Though she certainly did not have to work, she chose
to help us in our accounting department at the church. Efficient, fast, smart, good humor—those are the words used
by her companions at the office to describe Nita.
But that's not why I miss her. I miss Nita because she was one of those rare individuals who grasps the significance
of faith in its application to daily life. Simply, Nita was a believer! She delighted in problems. Every negative
was an opportunity for her to find a promise from God and put it into operation. With humor and anticipation, Nita
would wait confidently to see what her faithful God would do this time!
I especially remember the Sunday morning she tripped going out the front door of the church. Since she had come
to the early service, I wasn't told about her accident until the services were over. I rushed to the emergency
room, but I was too late. She was already feeling fine, and in her words, “With his stripes I am healed.”
As the nurses were finishing, I heard the humorous events that had transpired. When Nita fell, she hit her head
on the concrete wall at the bottom of the steps. Like most head wounds, it bled profusely. One of the ushers called
for an ambulance. This did not make Nita very happy. She wasn't nervous about going to the emergency ward, but
in her view, it wasn't necessary.
The ambulance personnel put a temporary bandage on Nita's forehead to stop the bleeding until the doctor could
stitch up the gash. Since her face was covered with the bandage, Nita took the opportunity to quietly speak praise
to her Lord. But the attendant could see her mouth moving. Fearful that she might be in pain, he lifted the bandage
and inquired if she was all right. With a twinkle in her eye, she replied, “I'm just praying, and if you'll leave
me alone, I'll be able to finish before we get to the hospital!”
That was the first indication this little lady was not their usual Sunday-morning patient. Their second indication
came when the nurse probing the wound thought she could detect more serious damage than just a cut. Nita's response
was, “I've already prayed, and I know that the Lord has already healed me. If you'll take an x-ray, you'll discover
it's just a flesh wound.”
Since she had also hurt her knee, they took x-rays of it at the same time. The doctor came in with the preliminary
report, saying that it did not look good. She had sustained serious damage to both her knee and her forehead.
Nita's calm response was, “But that can't be. You see, on the way here, I prayed, asking the Lord to heal me.
His Word says that He will. Please take another x-ray.”
Reluctantly they did. To their surprise, but not Nita's, they could find nothing wrong with her knee, and neither
was there serious damage to her forehead. By the time I arrived, Nita was using the moment as another opportunity
to share the love of her powerful Lord!
I lost count of the many times Nita would bring someone with insurmountable problems to church. She would smile
through the entire morning worship, so expectant that God would heal, deliver, or do whatever her friend needed
done.
I know she's quite happy where she is, but I do miss her!
I share Nita's story because, in this lesson, you will study several sections of scripture which emphasize the
importance of how faith speaks. Just as there is a certain sound to doubt and fear, there is also a clear sound
to faith. People who believe, sound like they believe! They often speak a very distinct language—it
sounds like faith.
Probing the Depths
Before you explore the rich subject of the language of faith, there are three major obstacles to consider.
First, the language of faith is not an attempt to create a false reality. Sometimes those who hear “faith”
spoken think this is a kind of denial of reality. But this isn't so. For example, faith language does not
deny the reality of sickness, nor any other fact of human fallenness or the earth's curse that has come upon mankind
as a result of original sin. It is not a “pretend” language, as though we could take ourselves out of poverty,
sickness, divorce, or any other reality which we may see or be experiencing. You can't, and real faith doesn't
try that. No!
But there is a distinct way to respond to reality in faith. When you do, you will talk a certain way! Your language
will employ words of faith. Instead of surrendering to the reality of the circumstance, faith will speak of what
God's will is for the moment. Instead of dwelling on the reality's symptoms, faith will dwell upon God's promises.
Instead of submitting to defeat or discouragement, faith will remember and praise God for His goodness.
Faith-talk does not practice the art of denial, but it does speak confidently of what God has promised
to do within the reality we face.
Second, the language of faith cannot be reduced to a matter of simply speaking positively. Negative attitudes
and language can be shown to be the cause of many failures, but speaking positively is not the same
as speaking “faith.” The language of faith speaks God's Word, whether it is positive or negative! Faith-talk
employs the promises of God, not just the good intentions of man. Positive speaking has plenty of value, but the
language of faith accesses the throne of God. The language of positive speaking may move people, but it does not
move the hand of God.
Third, even though this lesson seeks to identify the certain sound of faith, there is danger in thinking
that once identified, this faith language can be practiced apart from an energizing work of the Holy Spirit.
(Please read that sentence two more times.) The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of faith and of grace,
not “works.” He gives living faith its dynamism. Nothing is more shallow than the appearance of faith without its
Holy Spirit-given substance.
Think about this: one of the grave dangers to the life of faith is legalism. Legalism is the attempt of man
to reduce the grace of God to behavior not requiring the energizing work of God's Spirit. Wherever Paul preached,
those who were called the Judaizers persecuted him. His gravest concern was that the new believers would fall into
the trap of what he called “a different gospel” (Gal. 1:6–9). Without the warm, loving, vital power of the Holy
Spirit, even the truth of faith's power when spoken faith-fully, can become “another gospel” sinking into
the dregs of religious tradition.
When it comes to the language of faith, every one of us needs a deep work of the Spirit, so that out of the
abundance of our hearts, our mouths will speak words of faith (Matt. 12:34).
Read Proverbs 18:21 and answer these questions.
1. What is in the power of the tongue?
2. What does the tongue do which produces the fruit of death and life?
Word Wealth
Power, yad (Strong's #3027). Translated almost exclusively “hand,” as “into your hand,”
indicating power, means, resource, and direction. The graphic aspect of the Hebrew language pictures the tongue
with a hand! The tongue can, as it were, “grab hold” (as in this verse) of life and death. The words you and I
use have the power to grasp or release matters of life and death. The phrase, “its fruit” (Prov. 18:21) indicates
that the spoken word is also likened unto seed. Words planted by the power of speech become fruit-bearing plants,
yielding either death or life, depending on what has been spoken.
Use a Bible concordance to help you do a study in the Book of Proverbs. Look up verses having to do with the
tongue, mouth, lips, or speech. Here are a few to help you get started. Write out these verses, and your own observations
on the power of speech.
1. Proverbs 6:2
Before contracts were written on paper, a binding legal agreement was a matter of words. What scriptures could
you use as a contract with God? What words would you speak to enter into that contract?
2. Proverbs 12:18
The spoken word promotes health. What words can you speak that would promote wholeness in relationships, in
attitudes, in physical circumstances? What are some words that you have heard which do not promote health?
3. Proverbs 13:3, 21:23
Learning the language of faith includes learning what not to say. What have you heard yourself or someone else
say that should not have been said?
4. Proverbs 15:4
From the margin of the Spirit-Filled Life Bible, an alternative rendering would be: “a healing tongue
is a tree of life.”
5. Proverbs 16:24
Kingdom Extra
Proverbs 16:24 reveals what God's wisdom (His Word) has taught our hearts: those truths and promises that are
to influence our speech—to transmit that learning to our lips. The Word in our hearts is to teach or control our
speech and conduct. The “sweetness” and “health” such speech promotes are desirable, whether in our human relationships
or in the release of divine grace in our daily living. It leads the believer to an overcoming, victorious life,
through a consistent acknowledgment of the power and might of God with both mouth and manner. [Spirit-Filled
Life Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991), “Kingdom Dynamics: Prov. 16:23, 24, Wise Words
Bring Health,” 905.]
As you have studied some of the verses in the Book of Proverbs, you have discovered the connection God makes
between the physical and spiritual world with your speech patterns as the gateway. Learning the power of speech
is one of the basic lessons of the disciple.
Write out your thoughts as you review the following verses.
• The Word is spoken of as seed (Matt. 13:18–23). What can we do with it?
• The Word is also referred to as a “sword” (Eph. 6:17). In what ways may it be used?
• The Word is also used in connection with washing and water (Eph. 5:26). How may it be applied?
Having studied these references, how might they be given application in your life? Is it possible that in the
same way God's Word is seed, your words might also be seeds? Is there a place for your words to be used in warfare?
Or, again, can you speak words that have the effect of washing and cleansing? Of course, the answer is “yes.” But
this is only possible so far as you are willing to let God's Word become the pattern for your words. The language
of faith is speaking what God has said and what He is saying even now as His changeless response to present
circumstances.
One of the great teachings of Jesus in which He refers to the power of language is found in Mark 11:23–26. Read
these verses before continuing, and write down your own observations.
Verse 23, concerning faith's possibilities and your speech.
Verse 24, concerning faith's release and your speech.
Verse 25, concerning faith's humility and your speech.
Verse 26, concerning faith's responsibility and your speech.
Kingdom Extra
Read Dr. Roy Hicks, Sr.’s, words on Mark 11:22–24, titled, Jesus on “Faith's Confession.” “From Jesus'
own lips we receive the most direct and practical instruction concerning our exercise of faith. Consider three
points: (1) It is to be ‘in God.’ Faith that speaks is first faith that seeks. The Almighty One is the source and
grounds of our faith and being. Faith only flows to Him because of the faithfulness that flows from
Him. (2) Faith is not a trick performed with our lips, but a spoken expression that springs from the conviction
of our hearts. The idea that faith's confession is a ‘formula’ for getting things from God is unbiblical. But the
fact that the faith that is in our hearts is to be spoken, and thereby becomes active and effective toward specific
results, is taught here by the Lord Jesus. (3) Jesus' words ‘whatever things' apply this principle to every aspect
of our lives. The only restrictions are a) that our faith be ‘in God’ our living Father and in alignment with His
will and Word; and (b) that we ‘believe’—not doubting in our hearts. Thus, ‘speaking to the mountain’ is not a
vain or superstitious exercise or indulgence in humanistic mind-science, but instead becomes an applied release
of God's creative word of promise.” [Ibid., 1492–3, “Kingdom Dynamics: Mark 11:22–24, Jesus on ‘Faith's Confession.’”]
Because you are serious about your faith, and seek to learn the language of faith, you will want to pay special
attention to the connection between speech that moves a mountain and faith that sends away sin. Just as we've seen,
Jesus spoke of faith's language in both ways!
Word Wealth
In Mark 11:25, the one who has just been instructed on how to speak to mountainous obstacles is also taught
in the ways of forgiveness. To forgive, aphiemi (Strong's #863; af-ee-ay-mee) “to send
away.” It is probably not a coincidence that the word Jesus used to describe “moving the mountain” is the Greek
for forgiving sin! It is clear that you cannot send mountains away if you are unwilling to send away sins!
Holding a grudge is refusing to forgive, or “send away” the sin or action someone committed against you. The
one who harbors a grudge will not be able to “move the mountain.” You and I cannot properly address the obstacles
in our path if we are maintaining obstacles (mountains of unforgiveness) in other people's paths. Forgive because
you are forgiven. And in forgiving, you will discover even greater dimensions of God's forgiveness toward you.
And your faith will be ready and active for mountain-moving situations.
Kingdom Extra
“Believing can take opposite forms. It can be faith or it can be doubt. When you believe that God exists and
that He loves you and wants to meet your needs, then your believing creates faith in your heart.
“On the other hand, doubt is just as real. The reverse of faith, doubt tells you that God is not real or that
He is unloving or uncaring about your needs. Doubt gives rise to fear, which brings torment, not peace. Fear actually
keeps you from receiving the good things God desires to send your way. Capture this truth: Doubt and do without;
with faith believe, and receive. I have said for years, ‘Expect a miracle!’
“Expectancy opens your life to God and puts you in a position to receive salvation, joy, health, financial supply,
or peace of mind—everything good your heart longs for, and more!” [Ibid., 1493, “Kingdom Dynamics: Mark 11:22–24,
‘Your Faith in God Is the Key to Your Receiving.’”]
Pat Robertson, answering the question, “How do I pray for a miracle?” said this: “When we are faced with a great
need for ourselves, or for others, we should begin by humbly seeking to know God's will in the matter: ‘Father,
what do You want to do in this situation?’ Jesus said, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I have been working’
(John 5:17). He listened to the voice of the Father, and He watched Him. Be careful not to start or end a prayer
by saying blindly, ‘If it be Your will.’ Rather you should seek to know God's will in the situation and
then base your prayer upon it. Praying for a miracle is welcoming a gift of the Holy Spirit to manifest. When His
will is to work one, He will witness this to your heart. Then you can ask Him to perform the miracle that you know
He wants to bring about.
“It is often important to exercise a key to the miraculous—the spoken word. God has given us authority over
disease, demons, sickness, storms, and finances (Matt. 10:1; Luke 10:19). Often, we may keep asking God to act,
when, in fact, He calls us to employ His authority by our action with divinely empowered speech. Then we may declare
that authority in Jesus' name: we may command needed funds to come to us, command a storm to be stilled, command
a demon to come out, command any affliction to leave, command a sickness to depart.
“Jesus said, ‘Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his
heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says' (Mark 11:23). Believe
in your heart that it has already happened! With the anointing of faith that God gives you, speak it forth. But
remember, miracles come by faith in God's present power, not by a ritual or formula of human works or willpower.”
[Ibid., 1999, “Spiritual Answers to Hard Questions”.]
Having meditated on Mark 11:23–26 with these remarkable teachers and leaders in faith's possibilities, take
time now to write out your own thoughts on this key teaching of Jesus.
To finish our lesson on Language and Faith, study the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:13. What verse from the
Psalms is Paul quoting?
From 2 Corinthians 4:14, what does Paul say he knows?
Ultimately, your faith language depends on knowing the same thing that Paul knew. It is the life of the Lord
Jesus that makes sense of faith's confession. Remember what Solomon said, “Death and life are in the power
of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21). Because we know Jesus Christ is alive, and that as the Resurrected One He is ready
to administer His mighty life-giving power to you—now!—in all of your present circumstances, we can choose
to speak from the vantage point of life, not death. Our words of faith can confidently welcome and cooperate with
God's will, as He has revealed it in His Word. We can enjoy the fruit of this language of faith—today and everyday—until
Jesus comes again!
Faith Alive
Write out a faith confession that has come to you during your study of God's Word on this topic. Also, write
out a correction of something you have been allowing as an unbiblical confession that is inappropriate to your
life of faith, and to your God-given potential use of the language of faith.
From Power Faith: Balancing Faith in Words and Works by Roy Hicks, JR. with Jack W. Hayford. Copyright 1994 by Jack W. Hayford.
