Day 6: Speak Life, Not Defeat
Text: Proverbs 18:21 — "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
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Message:
Words are not just sounds that come out of our mouths. They are spiritual instruments — seeds that either produce life or death. Many times, we are quick to blame the devil, our background, or other people for our stagnation, yet we fail to recognize the power that lies in our own mouths.
The Bible says that we will eat the fruit of what we speak — whether good or bad. That means every time you speak defeat, fear, or failure, you plant seeds that will eventually bear bitter fruit. On the other hand, when you speak faith, truth, and life, you partner with God’s Word, and those seeds will produce fruit in due time.
Sadly, many Christians today live defeated lives, not because God failed them, but because they’ve declared defeat long before the battle even began. They say things like:
• “This sickness will kill me.”
• “I will never get married.”
• “There’s no hope for my child.”
• “My situation is beyond repair.”
These words may sound honest in the moment, but they are dangerous. They create an atmosphere where God’s power is hindered by our unbelief. God does not respond to complaints — He responds to faith-filled words.
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Emotional Biblical Story: Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1–10)
In Ezekiel 37, God takes the prophet Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones — not just dead, but very dry bones. It was a scene of total hopelessness. This was Israel’s spiritual state: defeated, scattered, lifeless.
Then God asks a question that seems almost cruel:
“Son of man, can these bones live?”
Ezekiel wisely answers, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
God then commands Ezekiel to speak to the bones. Not to mourn, not to analyze, not to strategize — but to prophesy. Ezekiel had to say, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” He was instructed to speak what God said, not what the situation looked like.
And when he did, the bones rattled, came together, gained flesh, and eventually stood up — a vast army.
What brought the transformation? Words. Spirit-filled, God-given words spoken in faith.
This isn’t just a story of a prophet — it’s a story for you. Maybe your own life feels like a valley of dry bones:
• A dead marriage
• A lost child
• A shattered dream
• A delayed promise
• A body wracked with pain
God is asking you today: Can these bones live?
The answer lies in what you are willing to speak.
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Speak What God Says:
God doesn’t ask you to lie about your situation — He asks you to speak His truth into it. Say:
• “I shall not die, but live to declare the works of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:17)
• “I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath.” (Deuteronomy 28:13)
• “My God shall supply all my needs.” (Philippians 4:19)
• “By His stripes I am healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
This is not “positive thinking.” This is faith speaking, aligning your voice with heaven.
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Reflection:
Take a moment and examine the pattern of your speech. What do you say when you're frustrated? What do you declare over your children, your finances, your ministry, your body, or your future?
If your words were seeds, what kind of harvest would you expect?
Remember, life and death are in your tongue. Speak like someone who believes God still moves mountains. Speak life into that dead place. You may not see results overnight, but keep speaking — your words are working underground. A harvest is coming.
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Prayer:
Father in Heaven,
Thank You for reminding me that my words carry power. I confess that I have often spoken carelessly — in fear, frustration, or doubt — and for that, I repent. I ask for Your mercy and grace.
Lord, I want to be like Ezekiel. Teach me to speak life, not death. Give me the courage to prophesy to the dry bones in my life. Let my lips be instruments of Your truth and not tools of the enemy. I declare today that every dead dream, every broken promise, and every dry season in my life shall live again — in Jesus’ name.
I pray for those who feel hopeless today — for the weary mother, the broken man, the sick child, the struggling believer. May Your Word revive their spirit. May new life come forth as we speak in faith.
Let Your promises be my language. Let Your truth be my confession. Let Your Spirit breathe upon every dry bone in my life.
In Jesus’ powerful name I pray,
Amen.