This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. (1 Samuel 17:46)

Faith is released by speaking. If you are silent, you lose by default.
Mark Hankins

1 Samuel 17 records the classic story of David and Goliath. The real battle was won before David actually killed Goliath. A war of words had to be won before victory could be consummated. The story went something like this: Goliath said…David said…Goliath said…David said…David ran toward the Philistine…David prevailed over the Philistine. David won the war of words before He won the victory!

The Lord spoke these words to me as a key to killing my giants: “Never run at your giant with your mouth shut!” Before we can receive and do all that God has for us in life, there will be giants that must be conquered. As you may know, some of these giants can be quite persistent. Just keep on running at those giants with your mouth speaking the Word of God. The Word releases God’s power to win in every conflict!

Confession: And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me. (Isaiah 49:2)

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (Philemon 6)

We have many “wounded rabbits” in the church who need to change their sound. Mark Hankins

Several years ago, I went hunting for coyote in Arizona with a friend who was an avid hunter. We got up early in the morning, while it was still dark, and put on camouflage outfits — pants, shirt, hat, and boots. We went out on a mountainside and sat on the ground under a big bush, with camouflage netting wrapped around us. My friend began to call the coyotes with a little wooden call that made a loud, squealing noise that mimicked the sound of a wounded rabbit. When the coyotes heard the squeal of the hurt rabbit, they would come for what they thought was a nice meal.

We have many wounded rabbits in the church calling up the coyotes of failure. Their wounded rabbit call attracts the devil, and he comes to devour them for lunch! By changing your sound to a bold declaration of who you are in Christ Jesus, you will begin to attract the blessings of God in a greater measure.

Confession: I am who God says I am. I have what God says I have. I can do what God says I can do. I boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:6)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue… (Proverbs 18:21)

Your words can limit you or loose you. Mark Hankins

Language is unique to man. God created us as eternal spirit beings in His image with the power of speech. James chapter 3 clearly tells us that the tongue determines our direction and destiny. We have the power to choose blessing or cursing, life or death. (Deuteronomy 30:19) The Lord Jesus said in Mark 11:23 that “Whosoever…shall have whatsoever he saith.” Words determine the boundaries and set limits on our lives. Believing and speaking are the two most fundamental ingredients in faith, and the Gospel is the language of faith.

I have heard the testimonies of two people who died and came back from the dead. I found it quite interesting that both said when their spirits returned to their bodies, they entered through their mouths. That makes sense because God breathed the breath of life into Adam’s mouth. If your spirit enters or exits your body through your mouth, why would the impact of words or speech on our lives seem strange?

Confession: I choose to speak words of life and blessing. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass;
he shall have whatsoever he saith. (Mark 11:23)

Many people would like to see different scenery in their lives. God says to make a different sound first.
Mark Hankins

God wants us to learn the language of faith. Language includes understanding and speaking. God communicates to us through His Word. He wants us to see the same thing He sees and say the same thing He says. The spirit of wisdom and revelation and the spirit of faith work together for the will of God to be accomplished in us and through us.

In other words, it does not matter what the devil has done in your life. Through the cross of Jesus Christ, there is another language God wants to teach you — the language of redemption, restoration, and freedom. If you can dare to speak this new language, He will restore your dominion.

Confession: Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. I know I have eternal life. I am a child of God because of what Jesus has done. I have joy. I know the hope of His calling. I know I have an inheritance in Christ. Jesus has given me authority over the devil!