The Power of the Spoken Word

“With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.” ~Psalm 119:13

It is important to memorize and meditate on God’s Word.  It is important to read and study His precepts.  But that is not all.  We must also take this knowledge and declare it with our mouths. His Words should flow from our lips like honey.    I like what the Pulpit Commentary had to say about this verse:

“’Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.’ The ‘word’ hid in the psalmist's heart (ver. 11) could not but rise to his lips on fit occasion, and be set forth before the people for their edification - more especially as there was an express command binding upon all Israelites to teach the Law to their children and dependents (see particularly Deuteronomy 6:7).”

So why should we speak the Word aloud? Why should we declare His judgments?

1. Declaring God’s Word verbally brings glory to God.  What is the focus of the Scriptures?  God Himself!  So, when we declare the Word, we declare God’s character.  We sing His praises.  We declare the wonders of His mouth.  That is honoring and glorifying to the King.

2. Speaking the Word helps us better comprehend it.  I have found this to be true in my own life, as I read the Bible aloud.  As we engage our eyes, ears, and mouth, instead of merely our eyes, the mind is able to better understand the Scriptures spoken.  Additionally, as we teach the Word of God to others, it becomes clearer in our own mind.

3. As you engage all three senses, the mind can remember it more easily.  This is true in memorization as well as simply reading it.  The more we read aloud, the easier it is to remember and recall it.  Similarly, as we share the spoken Word with others, we will remember it better.  The more we teach, the more we remember.

4.  Declaring God’s ordinances to others as you converse encourages them.  Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  The Word of Christ should dwell in us and be used to teach and admonish one another.  I can recount many a story where a verse that a friend spoke into my life encouraged and uplifted me.  You can do that too for others.  Richard Greenham once in The Treasury of David, said, “Above all, be careful to talk of that to others which you do daily learn yourself, and out of the abundance of your heart speak of good things unto men.”  Let us use our words to edify, by declaring the statutes of the Lord.

5. Since God’s Word has such power, merely quoting it can have a life-changing impact on a believer or non-believer.  As Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”  Since God breathed the Word so that “the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” God’s children will be impact by the spoken Word (2 Timothy 3:17).  God’s Word also has the power to save:  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Do not underestimate the power of God’s Word. Especially quoting it aloud.

6. Speaking God’s Word scares away the devil.  The sword, the offensive weapon we have been given in this spiritual battle is the Word of God.  However, Satan cannot read our minds. One of the most powerful ways to cast out Satan and his evil spirits is by speaking the Word of God alone.  Declare the Scriptures. Stand on His promises.  You will be victorious.

7. When conversing with others, Scripture turns the conversation back to God.  We are called to live for God in everything, including our conversations with others.  What better than Scripture to fit the call of Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”  A life that is truly surrendered to God will want to talk about the Scriptures and exalt the name of the Almighty Lord.

We can read the Word aloud during our Bible study time.  We can share it with others.  We can declare it to combat the lies of the devil.

Proverbs 18:20-21 reminds us that “From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Remember that the tongue is powerful.  We can use it to restore or to kill both ourselves and others.  May we use it wisely, remembering that there is power in speaking the Word of God aloud.  Let us do it often, to the praise of Christ.