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GRC ONLINE DIGITAL CARE GROUP #6
The Power of Words
Main idea
In this care group session, our GRCO pastors, Pastor Josh Holohan and Pastor Darren Sim are joined by their wives, Lindsay Holohan and Phyllis Sim, as they talk more about the topic: The Power of Words.
Take part in this digital care group session on your own or together with your friends and family. Feel free to use this guide to follow the conversation with our pastors, use it for your own personal time of study, or to facilitate more conversations with your community.
This session is based on the message:
Joseph Prince—Speak Life Not Death (July 25, 2021) [Sermon Notes]
1. Whose words are you surrounded by?
Every single day, we are surrounded by words. Whether they are words from the media, words from the people around us, or words that we tell ourselves, our daily lives are inundated by words.
Oftentimes these words can also seem more urgent, relevant, and important than what they really are, but God ordained that the one thing needful is to be surrounded by His Word and what He says about you and your situation.
Talk It Over
Whose words affect you the most?
- Words from the media
- Words from people around you
- Words from yourself
It is important to think about whose words we are surrounded by because it can influence the very words we use to speak over the people around us and especially, ourselves.
For instance, after an entire day of reading and listening to the news, it can cause us to feel worried and down, and we may begin to speak words that are negative and hopeless, instead of words that are grace-filled, hopeful, and life-giving—as God has promised in His Word.
But why are the words we speak so important?
2. There is power in the words that you speak
The Bible says that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21). That means the power to change your circumstances lies in your mouth!
“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” — Romans 10:8–10 NKJV
With the mouth, confession is made unto healing, unto protection, and unto overcoming a sinful habit in your life. It is not enough for you to know the promises found in God’s Word. You need to speak them out over yourself and your life.
God’s Word never changes and His promises remain true regardless of the circumstances. So, even when we don’t feel hopeful or the situation seems bleak, you can choose to speak God’s promises over yourself or your situation. The best thing is when you speak God’s Word in faith over your negative circumstances, you’ll find His mountain-moving power come into those situations.
It is so vital for us to activate our mouths to surround ourselves with His life-giving, life-transforming Word.
3. Own the Word
OWN THE WORD
Speak it over yourself
Grab a piece of paper and write down a promise found in God’s Word that you are claiming for yourself. If you are feeling the stress of work or life’s daily demands, you can write down a verse like Psalm 1:3, and personalize it like this:
“I shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever I do shall prosper.”
Put up this piece of paper near your bathroom mirror or a place in the house where you frequent and whenever you see it this week, take a moment to verbally speak it out over yourself.
Grab a piece of paper and write down a promise found in God’s Word that you are claiming for yourself. If you are feeling the stress of work or life’s daily demands, you can write down a verse like Psalm 1:3, and personalize it like this:
“I shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever I do shall prosper.”
Put up this piece of paper near your bathroom mirror or a place in the house where you frequent and whenever you see it this week, take a moment to verbally speak it out over yourself.
Questions about this topic
Are words really that powerful? How can words have any impact on me or my circumstances?
Believe it or not, the words you say can alter the outcome of your situations and even set the direction of your life. The Bible tells us the words we speak can open the door to good or evil in our lives (Prov. 18:21, James 3:3–5 AMPC, Eph. 4:29). You might have experienced some of these effects if you have been on the receiving end of edifying encouragement or discouraging criticism before.
What is even more powerful than our words are the words that God speaks. The Bible tells us that the Word of God is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16) and the opposite of death—it is living and powerful (Heb. 4:12). God’s Word is so potent that it will not return to Him void, but it shall surely accomplish His purpose (Isa. 55:10–11). His Word is likened to a seed as it will always reproduce after itself. Words of healing will reproduce healing in your body and words of life will resurrect a dead situation. Therefore, when we speak God’s Word in faith over our circumstances, there is tremendous power and life that is released over ourselves, our situation, and the people around us (Prov. 4:22).
How can I avoid being overwhelmed by the negative words from the people and world around me?
When negative words from people and the world surround us, they can often feel like reality. When we base our identity, decisions and emotions on these words, it can be easy to feel like we have no choice but to agree with whatever is said.
However, we don’t have to live our lives by the words of others around us as we have the Word of God—the truth—to anchor us. As you read the Word of God, you’ll be able to see Jesus in the Word. In the Bible, you will find out all about Jesus and what He has done for us. And when you find Him in the Word, you’ll find yourself in Him for “as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). You discover that as He is righteous, accepted, and favored before God, so are you. As He is full of health, wholeness, and life, so are you! When you see or behold Jesus in the Word, you truly know your identity and experience His life (John 6:63).
Besides knowing who you are in Christ, the Word of God can also be used as a powerful tool and weapon (Eph. 6:17) against attacks of the enemy or discouragement and doubts faced in your daily life. There is tremendous power in the Word of God, but this power remains dormant unless you speak it out (2 Cor. 4:13). When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He didn’t merely memorize or think about the Scriptures. He spoke them out loud. As you store up the Word of God in your heart and release it with your mouth as often as you need, it is as if God Himself is speaking life and power into you and your situation!
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Comments from Facebook & Live Chats
Thank you so much for this online care group. So badly needed indeed. Excited to join you whenever I am available. I am a lady pastor (here in Tanay Rizal, Philippines) and we have different time zones – so the reason to watch it on demand.
Cheering you on for the work you do!
My prayer request is that the Lord would restore my relationship with my oldest son, restore the intimacy in my marriage.
Amen! praying with you
This message was such a blessing to me. Everyone that shared spoke to the things that I am going through right now. I appreciate you all so much. Thank you.
This is The much needed Pastoral Care/Counsel We need as the church. you’ve expressed life situations in a way we’re unable to articulate, and answered the question…
A hurdle that I’ve encountered in owning the word is doubts as to whether I have the right to speak out God’s word even over my life, and the more i’ve listened to the gospel of grace. This is one area we can’t relent. Speaking The Word of Christ, Confessing Our Righteousness, His finished Work, His Unconditional Love, His abounding Grace for us. His Power towards. His joining with us.
WOW, I just had a revelation on your words about take no thoughts and repeating the words of others. Thank you.
Jesus thank you for blessing me to not repeat those negative words and to repeat only what your promises are🙏🏼
Prayer Request : To Overcome Intimidation, and sense of Inadequancy. To be Strong and very courageous
Marion joining from Norcross, Georgia, United States! Thanks!
This book help me many years ago to come to know grace and work to enter Jesus rest. I was raised on legalism and condemnation. I share this book with people along with Pastor Prince’s messages on YouTube.
I really enjoyed the session, great words
Praise God and his holy name! My prayer request is to restore my marriage to my Husband Arthur, it’s been 3 years separated and I’m hurting and weary, for him to run to Jesus and be saved and come back home to me and our children in Jesus name!! No more adulterous behaviors or relationships! Only Godly people around him to give him the word of our Lord and Savior!! Hallelujah Restoration!!
c. words from myself
This was so good! Thank you! Thank you all for sharing and ministering.
“Your Words were found & i ate them, Your Words became 4 me a joy, & the delight of my heart’ 4 i have been called by Ty name.” (i dont know where in the Bible it is)
Hey Terri,
This verse is from Jeremiah 15:16,
“Your words were found, and I ate them,
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name,
O Lord God of hosts.”
Getting to this session later than I would have (my wife and I usually join immediately after a Sunday service, but could not this time.) Actually not a prob because of the way this resource is available for later (thanks so very much for providing this and the other wonderful resources available at Grace Revolution Online). Just want to confirm that the words and voices I have been hearing have often enough pushed ahead of the Word – I will endeavor to change this to be God’s Word ‘pushing’ out to over come negative things and thoughts. I am also encouraged to spend more time in worship (something I love to do in any event!). Thanks to all of you for this session and your hearts for God’s people. Praise to Him who is Lord over all.
Amen im B but just pray for me that in this fight to keep the Word of Christ ruling in my heart and mind, ill find favor with my psyqiatrist and new therapist, Lord, make them sense Ur Love through me and that they wont judge me wrong with this coping mechanism of speaking out Ur truths whenever my heart and mind needs it.
Thank you for this awesome and blessed message. I receive it Lord and I praise, thank, and give you glory Lord in the powerful name of Jesus!!
Please continue to bless our GRC Community and all who are reading this and watching this.
This is my first time to hear GRC online. So glad to hear you talking about words. We must be careful not only what we hear, but what we say. Most people in the church are not aware how powerful what comes out of our mouths is. There truly is life and death in the tongue. And we must take every thought captive to the obedience to Christ. For what we meditate on and start to believe can get into our minds and take root in our heart. Words are such an important topic to share with the body of Christ. The sooner we take control over what we say the better.
Thanks be to God for his great works in our lives, keep it coming, fill us with ur holy spirit now and forever. Thanks be to God. Please fill with me knowledge to pass my speech assignment on Monday.
wow!
Thank you so much for such a wonderful teaching it strengthens our faith more in Christ Jesus to God be the glory forever and ever
Such great ministry and encouragements!! This is the second GRC online care group I’ve listened to and am so beyond blessed!! Definitely anointed and needed for such a time as this.
Thanks so much, I really enjoyed it and received from each of you!
I will share something on the power of words. At the beginning of the year we had our appraisal done. It was my first time, because this was a new job appointment. Everyone on the panel, had encouraging words to say to me even as they pointed out the areas that needed improvement which I was aware of. Then it was the Project Director’s time to speak and though in the beginning i had not noticed their effect on me, I later on had to deal with their power over me. I remember, resounding within me the very words she said, they actually caused pain to my spirit. I remember in that season of my life, i woke up in the confidence of The Father’s love for me and my sonship to Him. As I thought more and more about the words, I realised that my identity, my confidence had been attacked. The PD was not the enemy :-). I took sometime and began speaking the words of life over me, who i am, my personality and i was again filled with life over me. However, i also noticed that some of me kinda changed as a result of what she said to me. Am working on it 🙂
Loved this message, and how the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And how The Word is living and active and accomplishes what it was sent out to do. I. love how He even puts the Word in my mouth, that is So Amazing! He makes it easy for me. He is so good 💕
I was having lots of negative thoughts about my goofups and about people being upset with me. I believe it was Pastor Darren that encouraged us to sing out according to Col. 3:16, especially when you fail and don’t feel like it. I learned firsthand how the Word of Christ will overtake words spoken!