WHOSE REPORT WILL YOU BELIEVE?

“Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21 (TLV)

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We live in a day and age of mass media, social media, any and all kind of media. Anything we want to know, we can find out by the click of a mouse or a flick of the remote. But are they reporting the truth?

In recent years, we have been inundated by reports of “fake news.” Who’s to tell what is really true from what is truly fake? Liberal news, conservative news, friend news, gossip news, moderate news, social news…there are so many reports on the same topic. What report are we to believe? Many people turn to multiple sources to attempt to cull the truth. Whose report are we to believe?

One report that we will never have to doubt is the GOD REPORT…the WORD of GOD. Yet, why do we come into agreement so often with the report of the enemy?

Journey with me for a moment as we delve into this thought.

Proverbs 18:21 (TLV) says, “Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.”

On the surface, we can obviously see that negative words (put downs, verbal abuse, complaints, cursing, etc.) cause harm and can bring a form of death…contrary to the popular rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Anyone who has been bullied verbally can attest to this fact. We can also obviously see that positive words (encouragement, compliments, blessings, affirmations, etc.) build up a person’s self-esteem and self-worth, thus bringing life.

Let’s dive a little deeper.

2 Corinthians 13:1b says, “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

Recently, I was pondering on exactly how and why death and life are controlled by the tongue. When you think about it, that’s a pretty strong statement. The things that I say actually bring life? Or death? And the HOLY SPIRIT brought revelation (hallelujah!).

Why are death and life controlled by the tongue? Because, when we speak, we are agreeing either with the enemy’s report, or with GOD’s report. It all boils down to the power of agreement! As we see in 2 Corinthians 13:1, every matter, every word, is established by two or three witnesses. So, when we speak, we are witnesses to the validity of the word that’s already been spoken either by GOD or by the enemy! Our agreement with the word/report firmly establishes the matter so that it can take effect and be established.

Let’s break it down to real life:

• Sickness: So often, we claim ownership over sickness. How often have you heard someone say, “my sickness” or “my ulcer” or “my hernia?” Or, how about, “I’m going to get sick,” and it hasn’t even happened? This, my friends, is agreement with the report of the enemy. We validate the affliction. We speak death over ourselves!
• Children: “This boy is just like his father.” Is this statement a good thing? Or not? Either way, we are either affirming life or validating death.
• Marriages: “My husband is an alcoholic and that’s all he will ever be.” Agreement with the enemy…speaking death. What about speaking life into the assignment that GOD placed into him?

You see, we actually have a choice as to whether or not we accept a report that comes our way. We don’t have to accept the status quo. We don’t have to accept the words of death. The enemy himself knows the power of agreement and wants to make it as simple as possible for us to agree with his report. But we actually have power to call out his report and to speak death to the plans of the enemy!

So where does this leave us?

1. Begin by inundating yourself with the WORD of GOD so that you will know the words that give life more readily, and recognize death when it comes your way.
2. Carefully watch your words. Ask the HOLY SPIRIT if the report is from HIM or the enemy.
3. Verbally reject the words of the enemy. Reject the symptoms of the enemy. Reject the assignments of the enemy.
4. Counter the enemy’s reports with the WORD of GOD. Agree with the GOD REPORT! War with the GOD REPORT!

Go to the FATHER to ask for the revelation of HIS will, and come into agreement with HIM. And that is what we should speak…for “death and life are in the control of the tongue.”

Whose report will you believe? We shall believe the report of the LORD!