One of the most quoted proverbs from scripture is, “The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21).  In general, this proverb means that our words have power and authority and that power and authority can contribute to life or death, health or sickness.  That power and authority comes from being made in the image of God and then his giving dominion over the earth to man.  In addition, if you are a believer you also walk in the authority of Christ so that your words carry even more authority.  We can speak words of life or death over others or ourselves.  Eating the fruit of our words simply means that we will reap what we sow from what we have spoken.  If we speak death over others, it will eventually return to us.  If we speak life over others, that too will eventually come back to us.

One of the ways that words impart life or death is that our words give spiritual beings, angels or demons, a legal right to affect the lives of those we speak over…especially if we have spiritual authority over someone such as parents over children, husbands over wives, ourselves over ourselves, etc.  When we speak a blessing, we give angels a legal right and even a directive to work in someone’s life to bring about positive, life-giving outcomes.  When we speak a curse, we give demons a legal right and a directive to work to bring about negative or life-stealing outcomes.

In several of his books regarding the courts of heaven, Robert Henderson points out how often a courtroom scene is depicted in scripture in which Satan is accusing the people of God and attempting to bring an accusation against them that allows him to afflict or torment those individuals.  The first chapter of Job presents such a scene. In our ministry, we call those “open doors” that give the enemy access to the lives of individuals. For believers, this is not a salvation issue but a matter of spiritual warfare, in which, the enemy can gain more access than simple temptation and can oppress or afflict believers so that they are greatly hindered in fulfilling their destiny in Christ.   

The words we speak can be the very thing that enables the enemy to bring an accusation against us.  Remember the warning of Jesus when he said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt. 12:36-37). Entire books can be written on this subject, but I want to point out one possible open door created by our words that many believers fail to recognize.  This may be a small thing but I sense it is more than that.

In Exodus 20:7, the Lord says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”  The King James version says that we shall not take “the Lord’s name in vain.”  The idea of something being done in vain is that the effort was meaningless or empty.  The idea is that God’s name is holy and sacred and must always be spoken with care and reverence.  We usually think of people who use the name of God or Jesus when cussing as being guilty of this sin, but the Hebrew means more than that. It means to use God’s name in any profane, meaningless, empty, indifferent, or careless way. The Jews were so concerned about misusing the Name that many would not even dare to speak it. 

In Christian circles, it is not uncommon for people to say things like, “Oh my God!” or “Good God” or “Good Lord” or God All Mighty,”etc.  as exclamation points for whatever statement they are making.  I know they mean no disrespect, but they are using the Name in a careless, meaningless, or empty way…which is the very definition of “misusing” the name of God. I believe a habit of this can open up believers to the accusations of Satan because they are violating the Word of God.  As a result, he can gain access to oppress or afflict an individual or family.  

I know this may sound like “knit picking” or legalism, but the name of God is a very sacred thing, no matter what age or culture we live in.  If we will have to give account for every careless word, then certainly careless words involving the name of our Creator must be in that category.  

I think this may represent an open door that we rarely consider or recognize. I feel like it is something the Holy Spirit keeps highlighting to me so I wanted to highlight it for those who read this blog.   If this resonates with you at all, pray about it and ask for the Spirit’s leading on this matter.  These are phrases we use so often and automatically that we aren’t even aware we have spoken them.  Ask the Spirit to make you aware of speaking in this way and ask others to make you aware as well, so that you can close any and every door of access that the enemy may have been using against you.  I believe this will honor God and God promises to honor those who honor him (1 Sam.2:30). Be blessed this week.