“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). These are the words that Jesus spoke while being crucified. Some people are crucified by words that are spoken. Sharp words filled with the under currents of negatively expressed tones of sarcasm and criticism move and change atmosphere conditions, forming arrows that can pierce as well as damage, even to the point of provoking retaliation. Such encounters are prevalent in the Body of Christ.

            I heard these words of Jesus recently after having experienced one of these type encounters. I just happened to be watching a movie in which that very scene was on the screen and the words found a place in my spirit. Jesus spoke of the Father’s forgiveness, but what about my forgiveness? Is this something that is hard to do especially when someone has spoken hastily and harshly on numerous occasions? “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” (Proverbs 12:18 NLT).

            Often excuses are made using the circumstances or situations that one may be going through as a cover for such actions. Unfortunately, people in the Body of Christ may speak in such a way that the observing non-believer would wonder if they could find Jesus within them. Time in the word should wash and cleanse one from such activity. Many have been touch by the blood for redemption, but have not be cleansed and changed. The world, the souls, that we are to reach for Jesus are watching intensely. Many forget to realize that our words and the tone release the true communication of the heart. “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” (Matthew 12:34 NLT). The tree is known, recognized and judged by its fruit. How will you be known for the fruit of your lips?

            If you are in leadership in ministry, there is a delicate balance that must be exercised for rebuke and chastisement. We know that the Father chastises those that He loves, but “ from a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.” (Proverbs 16:23). One can endure the correction if that understand the love that flows with it spiritually. See, you cannot truly minister the Word of God from an elevated place, the pulpit, to someone that your words have pierced causing a wound on the ground level. This is especially true for that type of communication that is continuous without taking responsibility for the matters of the heart. “My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.” (Psalm 49:3 KJV). You want your tongue to be coated with the oil of the Holy Spirit so that it may flow and be armed with the seed of the Word of God for the victory in the atmosphere and the lives of the people.

            Mature Believers that have had this type of encounter, whether from leadership or other Believers should use this as a catalyst to seek the face of the Father even the more. Even though the words cut and pierced you, go to your high priest, Jesus. Lay before Him, pouring out all of the hurt and pain for Him to cleanse you.

            During a time of prayer, an awesome scripture came up in my spirit.  “He shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the bronze altar before the Lord, and his two hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil into the Holy of Holies,  And put the incense on the fire in the censer before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the ark of the Testimony, lest he die.” (Leviticus 16:13). My revelation was in the midst of it all, I was being taken off the altar in my spirit and my prayers, the incense, after being beaten small. But before I was beaten small, there had to be a burning on the altar, the refiner’s fire, to be fit, to be pleasing to the Lord to come behind the veil. My high priest, Jesus was taking me, ushering me behind the veil into the secret place to be placed before the Lord on the mercy seat. Once the cloud of His presence descended upon me, I did not come out empty handed. I was filled with the strength, wisdom, and understanding that I was in the molding and making process in preparation for the greater. You will become more watchful of your mouth asking the lord to set a lock and let no filthy communication come out of it. “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” (Job 6:24 KJV).

            It is amazing how mindless we are of our words, forgetting that we are made in the image of God and everything that we see was a thought and then a word spoken. The information of the world system has contaminated out thoughts and therefore contaminated our words preventing true revelation and manifestation of the Spirit. Last year I heard a mighty revelation from a general in the army of God. He said “to ask God for words instead of things”. When you ask God for words, you do not have time for idle chatter. When you say what He says, He is the high priest of your words. Everything was formed through the system of voice activation. Make sure that your words agree with the destiny and plan that God has for you and those that you may encounter. The souls assigned to your account are waiting for the oil of your tongue.

“The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

(Proverbs 16:21, 24 AMP)

© May 2013