NOW FAITH #3: Word Doctors Concur

Part Three of Four Messages
Based on The Fourth Dimension by Yonggi Cho

Dedicated to Raye Bedgood, Panama City, FL

(02/14/95)

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Affirmations:
        “As A Man Speaks” 
        “The Prophetic Word for Ministries” 
        “The Apostles’ Creed”

Isaiah 40:30,31. Youths grow tired and weary, the young stumble and fall, but those who hope in Yahweh will regain their strength, they will sprout wings like eagles, though they run they will not grow weary, though they walk they will never tire.

James 3:2-6 (NIV) (Read in the course of the message)

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Text: Matthew 17:14.  And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15.  Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16.  And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17.  Then Yahshua answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18.  And Yahshua rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.  19.  Then came the disciples to Yahshua apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?   20.  And Yahshua said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Matthew 12:34,35.    The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good.  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

The Power of the Spoken Word

   Let’s all stand!  Put your finger in your ear!  Now be seated.  Behold the power of the spoken word!  Tell me to sit down and see how powerful your words are!

   We all have power in our mouths.  We all like to speak and hear our own words.  But especially, we like to see our words put into action – our commands obeyed, our suggestions responded to.  Spoken words are of great importance in every area of our daily lives because words carry power.  The average man speaks 25,000 words a day and the average woman 30,000.  After the man speaks his 20,000, his wife starts on her 30,000 when he gets home from work – or vice-versa. (Michael Collins)

   A16-year-old Buckeye who won a chance at $1,000,000 if he could dunk a free throw during the halftime show of an NBA All Stars game (in 1995).  The kid hardly ever missed.  For two weeks before, an “all star” coached him.  When it came time to make the shot, the stadium was jam-packed with cheering fans.  The boy’s confidence was very high.  He boldly stepped up to the line, gauged the million-dollar shot and just knew he was going to make it.  It was then that his coach advised him, “Whatever you do, don’t short-shoot it.”  The boy’s shot fell three inches short of the hoop.  Think of what the coach’s good advice did to the boy’s mind – it was worth a million dollars.  Words carry power.

The Good News Text

   Yahshua is approached by a man whose son is a lunatic possessed by a perverse spirit of suicide.  The disciples weren’t able to cast the demon out.  Yahshua speaks not to the disciples, but to the demon. Yahshua tells it like it is; literally: “You faithless and corrupt (diastrefw) conception (genea)!  How long will I stand you?”  He confronts the demon with the spoken truth of its origin.  He tells the father, “Bring it (auton) to me,” and when the demon flees, the boy is made whole immediately.   (The traditional translation makes us think Yahshua’s calling his disciples a perverse generation.  It’s the demon that’s perverse.)  When the disciples ask why they couldn’t cure the boy, Yahshua tells them they failed because they simply hadn’t the faith to believe in their own abilities.  These fellows are used to casting out demons of headache, diarrhea and ingrown toenail.  But this deaf and dumb perverse spirit of suicide was too big for them, they thought.  “We couldn’t,” they admitted.

   They have faith the size of a pinprick – but that’s enough for a toenail demon.  If their faith increases to the size of a mustard seed, they’ll become mountain movers.  Yahshua has no trouble dispensing the demon because he’s prepared.  He knows his identity in Yahweh, and what he’s up against; he’s prayed up and fasted – so he’s ready to speak the powerful words of judgment and set the captive free.  Words change reality.

The Experts

   Let me defer briefly to our earthly experts regarding the power of words to change reality – doctors!

·         Dr. Lieberman (Department of Linguistics at Brown University) says: “Language enters into everything.  Further, language facilitates human thought.  It’s impossible to conceive of human thought without human language.  The two are integral elements tied together” (The Mind, 205).  (Lieberman’s saying that the spoken word is essential to the process of thought.)

·         Dr. Bickerton (Linguist with the University of Hawaii) says: “Language produces mind.  Without language, I wouldn’t say that it is impossible to have mental experiences, but I’d say that mental experiences would not be very coherent” (The Mind, 216).  Bickerton’s saying that the spoken word creates the mind.

·         Dr. Restak (a neurologist in Washington D.C. and author of The Mind) says: “Creatures who possess language can certainly build a representation of the world within their own mind and manipulate it.  Language makes possible complete transformation of the human mind” (The Mind, 202). 

These experts are saying that the spoken word has unlimited power to create what we perceive as reality.

Dr. James Says

   But us Bible students already know these scientific findings from Yahshua’s brother, Dr. James:

James 3:2-4 (NIV) If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. {3} When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. {4} Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

I know Dr. James words are hard to understand, so let me clarify the meaning for you.  {clear throat}

“In promulgating your exoteric cogitations and articulating your superficial sentimentalities and amicable philosophical and psychological observations, beware my friend, of platitudinous ponderosity, plenteous profundity, sorrowful sagacity or pestiferous profanity.”

Did that clear up the meaning for you?  No?  Try these:

·         Dr. James says that the spoken word rules the body.  Words speak death, destruction, insult, illness, poverty, blasphemy; words also speak life, encouragement, compliment, good health and healing, prosperity, and praise to the Almighty.  The tongue is “forked” –evil is more often spoken than good – but one may convert the tongue through the Holy Spirit.

·         Dr. James also implies that the spoken word creates reality.  If we speak death, destruction, insult, illness, poverty, blasphemy, these evils will take on a life of their own in the dimension of mind and spirit – and create reality.  Like the road sign in Alaska.  It says: “Choose your rut carefully – you’ll be in it for the next 200 miles.”  Watch what you say!

·         If one speaks life, encouragement, compliment, good health and healing, prosperity and praise, these words may create in the dimension of mind and spirit – and become reality.  Miracles are born!

·         Dr. Lieberman, Dr. Bickerton, Dr. Restak and Dr. James all concur – where we guide our tongues we guide our minds, our bodies, and our reality.  Taming the tongue means acquiring the ability to create and transform reality.

What To Do

   You’ll trust the doctors I quoted, won’t you?  Consider then how we can put words to work for the Kingdom.  If we keep saying, “I’m sick,” we send a message to our organs.  They respond, “Be sick, for we’ve received our instructions from our master.”  If we keep saying, “I can’t do the job,” we send a message to the entire body, which responds, “Fail, for we’ve received instructions from our master.  Quit striving; prepare to be incapable.”  If we keep saying, “I’m old, tired, and can’t do anything,” our nerves reply, “Yes, that’s right.  We’re old, all jumbled up and ready to disintegrate.”  If we keep saying, “I’m retired,” we prepare ourselves either for a quick death or useless life.  If we keep saying, “Boy, I’m poor!” when that good financial opportunity comes along, our brain says, “I’m supposed to be poor, so I can’t afford to have any money.”

   Messiahian psychologists Drs. Minirth and Meier confess in their book, Happiness is a Choice,

We cringe whenever patients use the word ‘can’t’. They say, for example, ‘I just can’t get along with my husband.’ ‘I can’t give up the affair I’m having.’  ‘I can’t stop overeating.’  ‘I can’t love.’  If an individual changes all his can’ts to won’ts, he stops avoiding the truth and starts living in reality.

   Now you can understand why “I CANs” are so important.  One neurosurgeon advises his patients to keep saying, “I’m young and capable. I can do youthful work no matter what my age.”  When we speak health, wholeness and youth, our nerves come alive and receive power from the Master.  Remember what the prophet taught us:

Isaiah 40: 31. they that wait upon Yahweh shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.

The next time you sing “I’ll Fly Away,” proclaim it as though you CAN really fly, and you will.

Speaking to Become

   A couple years ago, PBS did a documentary on the results of a study of some remarkable people who maintained their faculties and mental and physical strength right on through their 80s, 90s and 100s.  They remained strong, lucid, talented and valuable members of their communities.  What’s their secret?  Keeping the mind continually nourished with challenges, positive affirmations, a healthy outlook and faith.  Those who speak life “live long and prosper.”

   To be the kind of disciple who holds out ‘til the end – ¿shouldn’t we check our language?  Instead of saying, “I’m so hot I could die,” let’s say, “I’m so hot I could live forever!”  Instead of saying, “I’m sick again today,” let’s say instead, “By G-d, I’m young, healthy, well-adjusted, saved and rich!” 

   Shouldn’t we learn to live “on the range,” where “seldom is heard a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day”?  If language creates mind, we can get a new mind anytime, even the mind of Chr-st, if we’ll pour forth fresh water from our mouths rather than brine.  There’re few who can’t recite at least a little of St. Paul’s advice offered in

Romans 12: 2.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of G-d.

To present your body a living sacrifice means first to present your master to him.  And your master is your mind and its servant is your tongue.

Miracle Ministry

   In doing so, we become the conduit for Yahweh’s will – which is to make everything good.  Look at the business of his Son Yahshua – miracle ministry.  Yet he said we would do greater things.  Yahshua said, “Son your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5).  He said, “Arise, take your bed and walk.”  He said, “Come out, unclean spirit” (Mark 5:8).  He said, “Your faith has made you whole” (Mark 5:34).  He said, “All things are possible” (Mark 9:23)!  He said, “Come out of him, deaf and dumb spirit” (Mark 9:25)!  He said, “What can I do for you” (Mark 10:36)?  He said, “In my name shall they cast out devils” (Mark 16:17)!  He also said, “Having seen all this, why is it you have no faith” (Mark 4:40)?  Let’s prove we can in fact do better than he did!

   If we are to succeed, then his business becomes our business – we’re miracle ministers.  We speak the word and believe for results.  The WORD must be spoken because it’s living and active and sharp as a sword.

Speak Out in Faith

   Faith is the key.  We know our Father’s will.  We know our Savior’s power.  If we have faith, then we need to speak out of our faith rather than beg G-d to act on our behalf.  Yahshua didn’t say “Pray the mountain be moved,” but “Speak to the mountain: be thou moved!”  We speak to old Slewfoot, “Get thee hence!”   If we will speak boldly in faith, then we can change circumstances – we may even change the whole world from our padded pew.  Be Removed! Get thee hence!  Repent and believe the Glad Tidings!

   Yahshua didn’t pray that the Father do his work for him; instead, he fasted and prayed for greater faith.  When he received, he boldly spoke the word, vanquished the evil and recreated reality for the good.  Today he offers the same authority to create, starting with the recreation of our tongues.      

Little Yahshua

   We can even create the saving presence of the Messiah in our minds through the spoken word.  We do this every single time we get together for worship.  Listen to how Dr. Paul puts it:

Romans 10:9,10  If you declare with your mouth that Yahshua is Sovereign and if you believe with your mind that Yahweh raised him from the dead, then you will be saved.  It is by believing with the mind that you are justified and by making the declaration with your lips that you are saved.

   This means as we go forth boldly in Yahshua, speaking his words of life, we create the reality of his presence.  This results in his manifestation as we become his new incarnation.  We become living, breathing Messiahs, forgiving sins and appropriating power for justification and healing.  You’ve heard the phrase, “You may be the only Yahshua your neighbor ever sees.”  This is literally true. 

   One critic said to Kenneth Copeland, “You go around like you’re a ‘little Yahshua’ or something.”  Copeland replied that this was the best compliment he’d ever received!  O that we could each be a “little Yahshua.”  The fact is, it’s our right, privilege and duty in love to recreate Yahshua wherever we are for the sake of the lost, the infirm, the oppressed, the hopeless.  Had we more faith, even the meekest soul among us would become a miracle worker.  As for acquiring faith, Wesley said, “Preach faith until you have it.”  We say now, “Speak the Word until the Word you become.”  Our own spoken word of affirmation can give us faith more surely than listening to all the faith preachers in the world.  I am as I speak, and as I speak, I AM.

OPTIONAL: Creeds and Rituals

   I’d like to say a few words about creeds and liturgies.  Some have said that there’s little value in reciting the Communion Liturgy or the Creeds.  Some say they’re dead forms or powerless rituals.  I disagree entirely.  With preparation beforehand, every time we go through the Communion or say the Creeds in faith, devils flee and our faith is built up.  How can this not be the case when we, as a community of faith, recite, “Messiah has died; Messiah is risen; Messiah will come again.”  Man, that’s powerful.  Even the AMEN builds us up together. 

   And if any words could put devils to flight, they would be these from the Apostles Creed.

The third day Yahshua rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

And everybody said, Amein.   Get thee hence, devil, before we recite the whole thing!

Bound By His Word

   Dr. Cho, a refugee of the Korean War, pastors the largest church in the world, Central Assembly in Seoul, Korea.  Cho teaches us exactly how to bring Yahshua into every cranny of our lost world.  And he ought to know.  He says,

You create the presence of Yahshua with your mouth.  If you speak about salvation, the saving Yahshua appears.  If you speak about divine healing, then you will have the healing Messiah in your congregation.  If you speak about the miracle-performing Yahshua, then the presence of the miracle-performing Yahshua is released.  He is bound by your lips and your words.  He is depending on you, and if you do not speak clearly because you fear Satan, how will Yahshua manifest his power to this generation?

   I wondered as I first read that quote how it can be that Yahshua would be bound by my words.  So I looked a little and found that Yahshua is indeed bound by his promise:

Mark 13:11.  Do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 

   The key word throughout this message is speaking.  This is an action.  Dr. James reminds us to be hearers and doers.  Speaking forth the presence of Yahshua begins in the mind before it exits the mouth.  When it gets through there, His presence goes out into the home, the church and the place of vocation.  It goes back into your own mind again and builds your faith.  Knowing what you now know, think how speaking the word will transform your reality, your outlook, your ministry, your negativity, your bad habits, all into the essential components of miracles.  You can be a miracle worker!

Affirmation

   One way to get started is to speak affirmations.  Affirming truth together in privacy or among friends is a non-threatening means of building your courage and vocabulary for the future time when that encouraging word will change a person’s mind, heart or life, out there.  Let’s affirm our position in Yahweh together.  Repeat after me:

“As a Man Speaks”

(adapted from “As a Man Thinks”)

Today I’ll speak – like a dynamic servant of Yahweh – because I’m what I say I am.  I’m not what I eat – I’m what I speak. Clothes do not make the man (or the woman); speaking does.  So I’ll tame my tongue – to speak the word of Yahweh: the word of health, wholeness, youth, strength and prosperity.  Yahshua didn’t call me to a life of failure – but to a life of success.  So I can’t fail – as long as I do his will – allow him to work through me – motivate my every word.  Because my G-d is a great big – I’ll speak with confidence – knowing that my words – can never be as big as Him.  Today I’ll speak like the apostle Paul – who said, “I can do all things – through Messiah who strengthens me.”

“The Prophetic Word for Ministries”

Stephen D. Johnson

This is a great affirmation of faith that I have used for years successfully.  Have the congregation read it in unison at least twice.

We have a double portion anointing as we flow; effectual doors open wherever we go.

Angels protect us with great care; signs and wonders follow us everywhere.

Favor surrounds us on all sides; we’re walking in meekness, not in pride.

We’re on the razor’s edge preaching your Word with great boldness, proclaiming what we’ve heard.

We have wisdom to know and discernment to see; the Holy Spirit leads us totally.

We are financially blessed abundantly. We are free from the curse permanently.

We are strengthened in all areas of life; we are abiding in peace and not in strife.

We have ears to hear and eyes to see; Father, we’re flowing in Your perfect will continually.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in Elohim the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Yahshua Messiah, his only begotten Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of Elohim the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: I believe in the Holy Ghost: I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints: The forgiveness of sins: The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting.  Amen.

“Substantial things seen, through hope, make the unseen plainly visible.”

Sermon Check-off

[  ] Matthew 17:15 “for he is lunatick, and sore vexed ...”

[  ] Words carry power.  Words change minds.  Words change reality.

[  ] Dr. Lieberman, Dr. Bickerton, Dr. Restak.

[  ] James 3:4 ships are steered by a very small rudder.

[  ] “We cringe whenever patients use the word ‘can’t’”

[  ] Isaiah 40: 31. They that wait upon Yahweh shall renew their strength.

[  ] Romans 10:9,10  If you declare with your mouth that Yahshua

[  ] Messiah has died; Messiah is risen; Messiah will come again

[  ] From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

[  ] Cho: You create the presence of Yahshua with your mouth.”

[  ] Mark 13:11.  “It is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”

Yahweh bless you as you do everything in your ability to honor him.

Jackson Snyder (801) 822-0475  Vero Beach, FL