Declare

<<say publicly>>

Speak out with conviction and confidence. God spoke and the world came into being (Gen 1:3-26). “You will declare a thing and it shall come to pass” (Job 22:28). In a similar way we can declare aloud, speaking into situations (and the spirit realm) truth and life,

Speak out what is God-honouring

using the authority delegated to us by Christ to enforce His will. We can also pronounce His blessings and favour over our life (while maintaining a Godly lifestyle) and our loved ones besides being proactive in verbalizing goodwill to others including those who wish us harm (1 Pet 2:9, 3:9). Declare a blessing on yourselves from the faithful God (Isa 45:23, 65:16; Rom 14:11). Jabez was a Godly man who cried out to God, “Oh that you would bless me and…God granted his request” (1 Chr 4:9,10). The blessings we receive should be used to bless others in return.

We do not comprehend the immense authority we give the unseen spirit world when we utter either uplifting, positive words of blessing or destructive, negative words of cursing, for “Life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21; Rev 12:11). After we rashly speak out in anger or frustration wrong statements and “are ensnared by the words of our mouth” the Bible says we must take steps to cancel their power, otherwise, what we set in motion in the powerful spirit realm will continue and look for opportunities to be fulfilled (Prov 6:2-5). The Israelites grumbled, “If only we had died in Egypt or this desert”. God’s response was “I will do the very thing I heard you say” (Num 14:2,28). What am I empowering the spirit realm to do on my behalf? What we project or forecast with our speech has an effect with Jesus stating, "According to your faith it will be done unto you" (Mt 9:29). State you will receive from God’s Holy Spirit health, wholeness, love and power along with all the beneficial things to live a godly life and fulfill your calling but, in Jesus name, will not accept any negative destructive influences. We should expect to receive good things from God because He is our loving Heavenly Father (Mt 7:7-11).

The words we speak have a creative force that we don’t comprehend. Jesus said, If a person believes what they say, it will be done for them; “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mk 11:23,24). This statement

Declare ‘I am who God says I am’

relates to requests for the extension of God’s Kingdom, not for selfish motives. He has also said, “If you have faith, you can say to this mountain [troublesome issue or sickness] move…and it will move…If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Mt 17:20, 21:21,22).

Accept the reality of the problems you are facing, your aches and lacks, yet rather than elaborate on the negative doom and gloom, focus on the good things in life, what is going well and how the Lord has been working in your life and what He has been revealing from His Word to you. Instead of moaning, ‘I’m tired, my back aches and I’ve got no money, take responsibility for your life – go to bed earlier, do some exercise and spend wisely. Move your attention from what you don’t have and be thankful for what you do have – from ‘I’m so busy’ to ‘Thank God I’ve got a job and can work’, from ‘the kids are so noisy’ to ‘I’m glad they are healthy and energetic’. If few things seem to be going right, start counting the blessings you have in Christ and audibly praise God. When David was about to be stoned, he encouraged himself in God and the situation changed (1 Sam 30:6ff).

Our words have a self-fulfilling prophetic element. Whatever we choose to make the centre of attention we often attract more of the same and experience the sowing and reaping principle. Choose and receive the Lord’s

There is tremendous power in words

favour – it is your right, so in turn you can bless other lives with what He has blessed you. The Bible tells us to think right, and this will result in a positive mental attitude with our words and actions being good for whatever is stored up in the heart is revealed (Lk 6:45; Phil 4:6). Speaking out empowers us and encourages others. Statements such as ‘You will not amount to much…You are useless’ must not come from our mouths. Rebuff such comments directed at you, ‘I reject that in the name of Jesus, I don’t accept it.’

It is not our right to tell or command God to act, or in presumption assume things, yet as we act in faith, walking and talking as if we are blessed, this will prepare us to receive before it becomes reality.

Use the Scriptures to shape the world you live in. God told Moses to bless the Israelites with these words: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace.” And God said, “I will bless them” (Num 6:24-27).

“By our words we are justified or condemned” (Mt 12:37). The words of the man who killed Saul sealed his own fate (2 Sam 1:5-16). We are to refrain from speaking evil and giving any credit to other gods (Ex 23:13; 1 Pet 3:10).