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Today we will see how David spoke his thoughts into existence. Knowing now that our tongues can be compared to deadly poison, David just spewed poison right out of his mouth when he inquired about Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11:3. I always consider viewing thoughts and words on a balance I used in science. One side brings the abundant life and the other side brings death. I try to think about which side my thoughts fall on. If they are on the side that brings death, I ask God to help me get my thoughts in line with His. Unfortunately, David’s words will sow seeds of sin which give birth to death into his life.
Read 2 Samuel 11:4. David’s words led him on a path of terrible destruction. He did not call upon God to provide a way out on his path towards destruction and he fell into the enemy’s trap and committed adultery. He slept with Bathsheba. Our words can lead us down paths of sin as well. Our words set fires, kill relationships, and cause wounds. Let’s begin to believe that our words can be extremely poisonous like God’s Word says and pray that He will help us to recognize when our thoughts have spiraled downward before we speak them out. Later on in the study we will see how our own thoughts not halted come out of our mouths and open the door to stumbling in our sexual lives.
Read Proverbs 18:21. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat of its fruit.” What do you think this means to us in our lives today?
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I believe this scripture teaches that the power of our words is more than figurative. It teaches that our words have the power to destroy or bring life. We have a choice. We can either choose to speak truth into our lives and reap the benefits or speak curses over our lives and open the door to the work of the enemy. We will look further at the real life battle that wages around you but for now let me give you some examples of how speaking death and curses over your life or the lives of others is destructive.
As you look at these examples think about the balance you used in science. Picture that balance in your head. One side of it is labeled “kill, steal, and destroy” and the other side is labeled “the abundant life”. You will be able to see which side these words belong in. When you have a thought come through your mind that you plan to speak out loud, you have a choice to make. Which side of the balance does it belong? When mine fall on the destroying side, I just renounce it and then speak truth over it. Look at some examples of spoken words that sow negative seeds. Then take a look at how you can turn those negative thoughts and words into positive ones below.
1. “I am never going to get out of debt. It’s just impossible.” The flip side, “Thank you father that you came to set me free from debt. I believe you are going to set me free from it.”
2. “I’m never going to find a loving man who will treat me kindly. I guess that is what I deserve based on the things I have done in my past.” Instead think, “Father thank you that you love me and have blessings for me. Thank you that you have the perfect mate for me here on earth. I thank you that you are bringing me someone who loves you.”
3. “I am just such a horrible person. How could I have done such a thing? I don’t deserve anything good in this life.” Flip side, “Father, I am so grateful that you came to save me. I know that nothing good lives within me, that is in my sinful nature. But because you sent your Son to die for me, when I confess my sins, you are faithful to forgive me and remember my sins no more. I thank you that I am no longer held under the curse of sin.”
4. “I will never have it all together. Susan seems to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. Why can’t I be more like her?” Instead of that say, “Lord, I thank you that I don’t have to have it all together. Thank you that you came to be my helper. I know that I can do all things through you.”
Let’s practice a few. I’m going to give you destructive words and I want you to replace them with words that bring the abundant life.
A. “It is impossible to lose weight. I may as well give up trying because I’m too far gone.” Now it’s your turn. Replace that with positive words:
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B. “My marriage is so dead. There is no passion and our sex life is boring. I can’t see it ever being like it was in the beginning.” Your turn:
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C. “I think I married the wrong person. We just don’t connect anymore and I am just not in love with him anymore.” Your turn:
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The power of our words will either bring life or death to our lives. We need to be aware of what we are saying. Later in our study we will apply this lesson in our lives where sexual temptations are concerned. Let’s pray and ask the Holy Spirit to make us aware of any deadly thoughts or words we are speaking over our lives and how to replace them with words that bring life.
Dearest Lord,
As your word says, set a guard over our mouths, Father. Keep watch over the doors of our lips for we know that they are capable of so much destruction without your help. Help us to know when hurtful words are at the tip of our tongues and give us your words instead. Make us aware when we are breathing out words that do not bring the abundant life. Help us to learn your word so we may replace those thoughts and words with yours. In your Son’s name we pray, Amen. | 
