The tongue is a very potent part of the human body as regards both positive and negative confessions, declarations of faith or doubt, evil speaking and curses. Little wonder
James 3:8-9 say
“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless our God and Father and with it we curse men who have been made in the similitude of God”.
Our main focus in this lesson, is the enormous power and effect, the declaration of anyone in authority (in Ministry) has on the people he or she is called to serve or lead.
First of all, we must understand that the five fold ministry spoken about in Ephesians 4:11-13 is for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
God has made everything and everyone needed, available for the equipping of His saints for the work of the Ministry.
Highlighted Job description of the Ministers of God
1. Edifying the Body of Christ
2. (Breeding through actions and doctrine) Unity of The Faith.
3. Teaching the knowledge of Christ such as will produce a perfect man to the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ.
What then is the responsibility of the Church, The body of Christ?
It is very important for the members of every local assembly to pay close attention to every word of God spoken over their lives in their various places of worship and prayerfully walk their way through them.
When a prophecy is given under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, believers should never forget that it will be tried and tested before fulfillment.
How do I mean?
That word of prophecy spoken by a servant of God is not just going to come pass without certain actions taking place. God’s word never returns to Him void but it accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.
However, there is need for us as members of the Body of Christ to receive the word with and by faith, study and meditate upon scriptures pertaining to the prophecy or declaration made. It is not enough to hear it and take no action. The danger in this, is that one can fall victim to the spoken word.
For example, if a prophecy comes as a warning:
God who knows the end from the beginning warns His children through His servant of imminent danger because He does not want them to be overtaken by evil. Therefore, it is our responsibility to prayerfully take heed and walk circumspectly in order not to fall victim.
Obeying every given instruction, entrusting our lives completely into His care because He is able to take care of us and mirroring our lives by the scriptures are non negotiable guarantees.
Once our obedience is complete and we are in agreement with The Holy Spirit, even when our strength fails, God’s Amazing and Sufficient Grace causes us to triumph in Jesus Name.
If the prophecy or declaration is for edification or exhortation or is a promise, we must hold on to it until the word becomes flesh and we can tangibly feel it. No word of God will ever fall to the ground, it will always come to pass!
When Elijah proclaimed a drought in 1 Kings 17:1, it was at his word but God honoured it. Also in verses 21-22, 24, God honoured his word to raise a dead child.
God honours the words of His servants therefore they ought to be mindful and careful of the words they speak over their congregation.
The words of a minister can either build the people assigned to him or destroy them. It is therefore very necessary for everyone in position of authority, serving in God’s vineyard to ask God for a wholesome and tamed tongue that speaks His counsel, unbiased and without prejudice concerning His people.
It is also important for servants of God to watch with great care what they hear, how they hear and who they hear from because often times those close them take undue advantage of their closeness to push their own agenda through, causing God’s servants who may be undiscerning at that time to stumble.
It is always better to hear both sides of a story than to hear just one.
The bible admonishes us to always prove all things and hold fast to what is true.
Other scriptures say, that in mouth of two or more witnesses, a matter shall be established Matthew18:16 and in the multitude of counsel, there is safety Proverbs11:14.
God bless us all as we use our tongue positively, blessing God and men.
