The power of speaking Scripture …
Some of my friends and family call me Mr. Bible Engagement. I’m unsure how I feel about that because even though I advocate for Bible engagement in my daily work, I’m still maturing in my personal reading, reflecting, remembering and responding to God’s Word.
My knowledge of God’s Word is a case in point. I had never noticed (in the sense that something really “jumps” out at you) until recently that the Scriptures prioritize the importance of God’s Word in my mouth. As God says, “My words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips” (cf. Isaiah 59:21).
Maybe because we tend to compartmentalize what we do and say, I don’t often hear Christians mention God’s Word in everyday conversations. Is God’s Word in your mouth? Speaking the Word affirms that God’s Word is true and real in our lives. It also indicates that we’re Spirit-filled Christians and God’s covenant people.
Faith can never be a private affair. If you have faith in your heart, it should also be in your mouth. “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” Romans 10:10 (NIV). Plainly stated, the evidence of your faith is the verbal confession of your salvation. “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” Luke 6:45 (NIV).
Taking another tack: With some preaching and teaching, the emphasis is to encourage Christians to diligently meditate on God’s Word and memorize it. What’s considered important is renewing the mind through daily Bible reading and reflection. But renewing the mind, while essential, isn’t the desired end. God commanded Joshua to meditate on the Word day and night so that it would always be on his lips (cf. Joshua 1:8).
So, what does it look like for God’s Word to be in your mouth? A friend recently told me that every day, as part of her reading and reflecting on God’s Word, she searches for a verse in the text that she writes on a serviette. During the day, she verbally shares this Scripture (explaining why it’s meaningful or how it has impacted her life) with someone and then gives them the serviette.
Is my friend’s methodology unusual? Maybe. But what she models the importance of having God’s Word in your mouth. So keep a serviette handy, or do whatever helps you engage with the Bible to intentionally “speak words of wisdom” Psalm 49:3 (NIV).
Please share your stories about the power of speaking Scripture.
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Summary
The “Power of Speaking Scripture” highlights the importance of speaking God’s Word as a daily practice, not just reading or memorizing it. It considers how we should have God’s Word in our mouths to affirm our faith as Spirit-filled believers. It discusses the significance of confessing faith verbally, referencing key scriptures like Romans 10:10 and Luke 6:45. And it concludes with a practical example of a friend who writes Scripture on a serviette and shares it throughout the day, modelling how to keep God’s Word actively in the conversation.
© Scripture Union Canada
2 Corinthians 4:5
