AVOID THE TRAP
Proverbs 6:2 NKJV
2 You are snared by the words of your mouth;
You are taken by the words of your mouth.
The context of this proverb is a person who has become collateral for a friend. A person who had made a deal with a stranger. But the essence of the proverb is more far reaching than a bad business transaction.
In the Scriptures, when a man gave his word, it was binding. Admittedly much different than our business dealings today. Today, we need iron-clad contracts scrutinized by a team of attorneys who have dissected every word. But there was a day when a man’s word was his bond. The Scriptures view our words as binding and more powerful than we have realized. Words may not matter to society as much today but that does not do away with their spiritual value.
And here is the challenge. Unless we are conscious of our words we can get trapped by our words. This ensnarement is not limited to business transactions. Our words help create the spiritual boundaries of our life. For example, if we constantly talk about how hard it is to live the Christian life, we are creating a trap for ourselves. Nowhere in the Scriptures are we ever directed to speak about how we are unable to do what God says because the Scriptures tell a different story.
The Scriptures say that if we are born of God, we overcome the world. The Scriptures say that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. The Scriptures say we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. This is heaven’s perspective; therefore, we don’t need to be saying anything directly contrary to what God has said. To say we can’t, we are too weak, we are just failures may seem to be true, but it’s a trap. Don’t say it. Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of our words. Don’t create a death trap with your mouth.
I realize people might scoff at our words being important. But if our words can catch us in a business transaction how much more will they impact us in a spiritual transaction?
It pays to become more conscious of our words. Don’t get caught in the trap of speaking failure and defeat. A good coach will always speak life to a team before they play and during the game. No coach is spewing defeat to their teams. We have authority in our lives and our sphere of influence. Speak good words. Over our families, relationships, businesses, jobs, health and finances. And, by all means, we must speak good words regarding our own lives. God does!
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for setting a trap with my own mouth. Reveal to me any area where my words are hurting and not helping.