Words We Speak (James 3)

by Celia Klaver

Celia Klaver serves with XP Ministries as overseer of our e-mail prayer ministry. Celia is a prayer warrior with much authority and one who displays the love and compassion of Jesus. In this month’s prayer directives, Celia hopes to help you become aware of your words and how they shape your life and the lives of those around you. This is one of the most important and life-changing directives you will ever read.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).

How we speak influences our attitude. Our words can take us up or bring us down. Many of us have lived in environments where negative words (either through ourselves or others), controlled our atmosphere; however, when we become born again we realize the authority we carry in Christ to speak God-inspired, life changing, creative words. Our language changes from words that “birth” death to those that “birth” life. Here is how James puts it

James 3:1-18 NIV:

Taming the Tongue
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers [and sisters], this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers [and sisters], can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Let us continually lift up one another with wholesome, life-giving words that heal and bring life -- words that cause one to smile and ponder on the goodness of God. Let us always honor and esteem one another. We are living in unprecedented times, so let us prepare well.

Matthew 12:34-37 (NKJV):

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Prayer Directives for CSA-XP Ministries

• Pray for Patricia and XP Ministries staff and volunteers to be in good health and strengthened daily in the wisdom and revelation of God. Pray that each one will grow in deeper intimacy and knowledge of God.
• Pray that Patricia is able to focus on the vision at hand for XP Ministries and that God will bring faithful and skilled volunteers who are willing to serve.
• Pray that Patricia will have great grace and favor, even as Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with man.
• Pray for XP Media websites to have increased favor and that those who watch the online videos will receive tangible impartation from the teachings.
• Pray for XP Ministries, especially for the staff working behind the video cameras and those who oversee this entire area of responsibility. Pray for continued downloads and new concepts birthed straight from God’s heart.
• Pray for XP Missions and Ministries in Thailand, Cambodia, and everywhere the Lord opens up.  Pray for full provision and breakthrough in finances for building XP missions and ministries.
• Pray for XP accounting department and the staff’s well being, wisdom, insight, grace and favor.  Pray for XP resources, each staff person and the resource volunteers.
• Pray for XP Ministries studios and workstations that the atmosphere be flooded with open heaven presence.

Prayer Directives for the Body of Christ:

• Pray that believers will grow in deeper intimacy with the Lord and walk in divine wisdom and integrity, esteeming one another as declared in Philippians 2.
• Pray families are restored, prodigals will return to the Lord, and marriages will be wholesome. Decree Psalm 91 over families.
• Pray intercessors will rise up and cry out to God for justice and righteousness. Righteousness exalts a nation.
• Pray for your government leaders.
• Pray for the board of education in your area and in the land.
• Pray for your judicial system, that judges make sound decisions with integrity.
• Pray for your local policemen and women and those working at the stations.

Finally, I pray bountiful blessings over you, that God gives you wisdom and revelation. May He continue to bless and prosper you in every area of your lives. May you choose to speak wholesome words that will shift atmospheres and bear bountiful fruit. May you flourish in all good works in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.