Are you careful about the words you speak? Do you try to avoid making negative pronouncements about yourself? Do you stand guard over what others say about you?
Sometimes, without even meaning to do so, all of us make statements that are not a good reflection of God’s destiny for our lives. In addition, we inadvertently accept the negative proclamations others make about us. It may seem like a small matter. But, as we will see in this letter, the words we say—and accept—affect our destiny in God.
In all we say and hear, we need to be careful. We need to watch our confession!
A Unique Warning
Dick’s comments: One of our regular practices at Derek Prince Ministries staff meetings is to refresh ourselves through Derek’s life-changing teaching. Even though we already enjoy the blessing of working with the truths Derek shared, we review them frequently. The DPM staff members take time periodically to listen together to one of his audio messages or to watch one of his video presentations.
Recently, we listened to Derek’s ten-part radio series entitled “Does Your Tongue Need Healing?” (This series was used as the basis for the booklet by the same name.) It is unique instruction—a topic rarely heard from other Bible teachers. As I listened to his points (particularly the need to maintain positive, biblically sound proclamations about my life), I was reminded of something my father-in-law, Don Basham, often said to me.
In the context of our friendship and mentoring relationship, Don would sometimes challenge me in a very helpful way. For example, if I was battling a headache, I might tend to say, “Don, my head is killing me.” Immediately, in his strong Texan drawl, he would admonish me with the following words: “Brother, watch your confession!”
Derek’s message to us is the same one Don issued: Watch your confession!
Guarding Against What Others Say
Philip’s comments: I want to pick up on another aspect of what Dick said in his section. Proverbs 18:21 says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue….” This applies not only to what we say about ourselves, but also what others say about us.
When our oldest daughter, Lydia, was hospitalized following a serious car accident, my wife, Lisa, and I were always by her bedside when the attending physicians came to check her. Sometimes, they would start to talk very negatively to her regarding the physical limitations that could result from her injuries. Lisa and I weren’t pleased.
So, before their next examination, Lisa and I met with them privately. I said, “We prefer that you not speak all these negative predictions over Lydia. If there is something you need to report, please do it—in private—with us. But in Lydia’s presence, we ask you not to make these negative statements.” Thankfully, they did what we asked.
Essentially, we were protecting Lydia from what we felt were word curses spoken over her and her physical health. As parents, it was our job to watch their confession.
Speaking Honor and Life
Philip and Dick: A spiritual principle that is very important for us at DPM is to preserve and promote a culture of honor. That applies especially to the way we speak about our colleagues, fellow Christians, family members, and friends. We speak honor.
This practice falls in line with Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue….” The choice we have is between pronouncing life-giving words about ourselves and others, or just the opposite, which is essentially speaking deadly words that have negative impacts. In essence, curses. The choice is ours: blessings or curses?
Self-Imposed Curses
In a teaching series called “Curses: Cause and Cure,” Derek shared the following anecdote that fits exactly with the theme we are addressing: watch your confession!
There are self-imposed curses. For example, you can impose a death wish on yourself. I have said many times that one of the most dangerous things you can ever say is, “I wish I were dead.” You are putting a curse on yourself. You don’t need to say it many times. Once could be enough.
I have related this story before, but before Ruth and I were married, she was experiencing pain at times in her legs. She asked if I would pray for her. We were on the beach at Fort Lauderdale in our swimming costumes, so I said, “All right, I’ll pray for your legs.” When I started to pray, all I could do was something that struck me as extremely silly. I said, “Thank you, legs, for all you’ve done for Ruth all these years. You’ve carried her around, and you’ve brought her to me. I’m just grateful to you.” I’ve never prayed for anybody’s legs like that before or since!
However, my praying that way brought back to Ruth that when she was a girl in high school, she was dissatisfied with the particular contours and shapes of her legs. She had once said something like, “Legs, I hate you.” You see, Ruth had pronounced a curse on her own legs. God, through the Holy Spirit, wouldn’t let me just pray for her legs, because it would have been in vain. We had to deal with the cause that had unleashed that dark, evil force upon Ruth’s legs.
Many people look in the mirror and speak ill of themselves. “I’m the wrong shape—too fat, too thin, too tall, too short. My hair is too wavy, or my hair is too straight.” Who are you to criticize the handiwork of God? He is the potter; you are the clay. If you take that attitude toward yourself, you’re going to end up a negative type of person. It can have a very definite physical effect on you.
How Are We Doing?
As you have been reviewing the comments on this topic, have you been taking inventory? “How am I handling this vital area of watching my confession and what I say about others?” Perhaps we all need to take this matter to the Lord in prayer together.
Dear Lord, I am sobered by the realization that life and death are in the power of my tongue. What I say about myself and others has a huge impact! Regarding
my own confession, I confess that there have been times when I have made pronouncements about my life and my future that are not in line with Your purposes for me. Please forgive me for the damaging statements I have unwittingly made about myself. Release me, Lord, from my own negative words!
I also realize, Lord, that I have willingly accepted negative declarations made about me by other people—even some who are close to me. In Your name, Lord Jesus, I take authority over those statements. By faith, I repudiate them, I nullify them, and I release myself from their negative effects upon my life and my future.
Lord, I also confess that I have made derogatory statements about others who are close to me. Please forgive me for that sin, and release them from the effects of what I have said. Lord, I freely admit that my tongue needs healing. I come to You now for that healing, and I ask for Your help in watching my confession. Amen.
Stand Strong
We believe that in the days to come, significant results will emerge from the prayer we have offered just now. No doubt it will take a measure of self-discipline to walk in what we have prayed, and success may not come overnight to us. But it is a huge step!
Anytime you take action like this, you can count on opposition from the enemy. He doesn’t want us to straighten out the negative areas of our lives, so he opposes us every step of the way. Derek’s materials can help you get the upper hand in this battle.
A good first step in that process would be to download “Curses: Cure Part 1,” the message from which we drew Derek’s quote. We are happy to supply this material to you. It is one small way for us to thank you for your prayers and your financial support.
A Common Dilemma
As we said earlier, the theme of this letter, and this focus of Derek Prince’s teaching, is somewhat unique in our society. Many of us grew up in homes where negative words were routinely declared—about ourselves and others. It seems to be a common practice today for people to proclaim what are essentially word curses about themselves and others. What’s the warning to keep in mind? “Watch your confession!”
How many times have careless words issued from our lips? Not to mention the times we have heard and believed negative pronouncements made over us, accepting curses that can haunt us for life. No more of this! It ends today!
We all need to hear and observe that helpful warning: watch your confession!
Sincerely in Christ,
Philip Wyns
President, DPM-USA
All the best,
Dick Leggatt
Executive Consultant/Senior Editor
