Five More Dangerous Things To Say

Part 2 of "Ten Things To Stop Saying Immediately"

Photo by Vitaliy Shevchenko on Unsplash

Your tongue is a weapon. It can be used either to defeat the powers of darkness or to empower them. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Jesus, Matthew 12:37 So along these lines, let’s dive right in (and please see my previous post).

1.”I love her to death.”

No you don’t. Love always leads to life. Love always prevails. It’s the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and if you are her enemy, you won’t want anything “unto death” spoken over her life.

2. “You’re killing me.”

No I’m not. I am not an agent of the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I am a vessel of the One who gives life and who gives life abundantly. My heart is to see you blessed and edified despite any difference or misunderstanding we might have.

3. “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.”

Actually you WERE a sinner who was saved by grace through faith, you were saved not of your own works lest you should boast (see Eph. 2:6), but to get back to the matter at hand – you were dead, but now you are alive. Why do you insist on wearing your old identity? And being enslaved by it? You are a New Creation in Christ now and the old things have passed away and all things have become new. This includes a new heart and a new nature. At any rate, it is not sinners who are raised up together with Christ and who are now seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, but the elect, the saints, which Paul calls us multiple times throughout the epistles. And yes, I have chosen to “fight” on this mountain” if you were wondering.

4. “This is just the way I am.”

Well, what if you’re obnoxious? Is that Christ-like? I didn’t think so. Wouldn’t you rather allow the Lord to smooth off your rough edges? And wouldn’t you rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind? And grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. And allow iron to sharpen iron? I pray this is so. Because you are His workmanship and He is still working on you, as you allow.

5. “I hope so.”

As recently stated in a note, anytime your hope is placed in a preferred or desired outcome, it is a misplaced hope. Because the only secured hope is a hope placed in God. David knew this and it’s expressed throughout the Psalms. And hope is equated with waiting upon the Lord and putting your full trust in Him. And the best part about putting your hop in the Lord is that your strength will be renewed.

But Wait! There’s More!

6. “You should…..”

Let’s not let this one continue to run rampant, especially in the church. Because the Lord may be dealing with you about an issue, but that doesn’t guarantee and so please don’t assume that Betty has to fast because the Lord is asking or requiring you to fast. Betty has her own issues and the Lord is dealing with her about those issues. Likewise, not everyone “should” go protest at the abortion clinic or volunteer at your favorite ministry that you’re so passionate about and that YOU are called to. Let each one exercise the gifts mix and the passions they’ve been granted, and let’s allow for diversity of callings and diversity of works – the kind of works that attach themselves to faith. In short, can we please stop “shoulding” all over one another? And let’s stop “shoulding” all over our own selves as well. For “should” carries a connotation of condemnation. Turn a deaf ear therefore to the enemy whispering in your own ear about what you “shoulda woulda coulda” done and remember that God’s mercies are new every morning. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus and come to think of it there are no “shoulds” in the beautitudes. Only blessings. So let’s bless one another instead and not pile on the “shoulds.”