There is a saying people quote often, “Talk is cheap.” Basically, do instead of talk. Talk is not cheap. Talk can cost you everything.

In the Bible, in Matthew 4, Jesus is being tempted by the devil. In verse 6 (NLT), the devil says to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump off!  For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”  Jump! Jump! Jump!

Now one important point in these scriptures is that Jesus always answered the devil with, “It is written” then quoted whatever scripture fit the temptation. This goes along with words we speak when under pressure. “It is written” simply quoted scripture back at the devil.

One of my devotionals is by Gloria Copeland, Put Your Words to Work: A 31-Day Faith Project. It is a daily devotional based on the words we speak and how vital they are.  

Yesterday was about how Satan comes for our words. If he can get us to talk contrary to what God says about us, then he can ruin our lives. Today Leland said, “Do you realize that the devil is held to talk? That his ability, or power over us, is to get us to say what he says?”

Today God illustrated that to me. “If the devil could have physical power over us, he would have pushed Jesus off the cliff instead of trying to pressure him to jump.” And if he could kill us, he wouldn’t try to pressure people to commit suicide. He can pressure but he can’t force us to do anything.

We have to agree with him in order for him to have power over us. There are too many scriptures that state Jesus gave us ALL authority & power over the enemy, and tools to enforce his defeat.

Remember, the devil is a defeated foe. If we don’t give him our agreement, our words, he can’t win. What we speak both to others and, more importantly, to ourselves, is of the upmost importance.

What we say, our talk, is life or death to us. God even gives us the choice – CHOOSE LIFE (Deut. 30:19). If the devil couldn’t push Jesus off the cliff, he can’t force us to do anything.

♥

Some Scripture References:
The tongue has the power of life and death… (Prov. 18:21 NIV)
The tongue of the wise promotes health… (Prov. 12:18 NKJ)
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life… (Prov. 15:4)
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble. (Prov. 21:23 NAB)