Muted or Sent?
By Steve Backlund
Zechariah was muted for nine months in Luke 1 (the duration of his wife’s pregnancy) because God could not trust him to speak around what He was doing. Zechariah thought he could say whatever he wanted without affecting God’s plans. His story is a strong reminder to us of the power of our words.
Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit". The main truth in this verse certainly is that our words can release life. Still, it is important to know our words can also “kill” dreams, potential, and the plans and purposes of God (consider how the words of the ten spies in Numbers 13 and 14 caused forty years of delay in entering the Promised Land). When I speak, I frequently say half-jokingly, “The best thing some Christians could do is just stop talking.”
Even though we are to be concerned about negative speech, it is vital to know that the kingdom is not advanced through the absence of a negative, but by the presence of a positive. Again, the superior truth in Proverbs 18:21 is that life is in the power of the tongue. Isaiah 35 confirms this. “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come . . . and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.” (verses 4-7) Speaking hope releases the supernatural. The right word in the right place to the right person causes astounding results. This is the opposite of what Zechariah was.
What kind of people does the Lord want around those who are spiritually pregnant with breakthrough, freedom, and the promises of God? He wants those who will speak life to water the seeds of what He has planted in them. 1 Corinthians 3:6 says, "I planted, Apollos watered, and God gave the increase". We are to be modern-day “Apolloses” who are committed to watering the seeds God has planted in lives, families, ministries, and nations. As we give ourselves to this great calling, the Lord will make sure we have divine connections with those who are pregnant with what God is doing next on the earth.
In Isaiah 6, Isaiah encountered the Lord, and he heard, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” He responded to this by saying, “Here I am! Send me” (verse 7). What a powerful response! We will not just be sent to nations, but we will be sent to individuals and groups who need to hear what we say.
Here are five ways to increase the likelihood that God will “send” us to many people to water what is their lives:
Know your words are powerful - When we believe our words are not just containers of information but have life on them, then our words will be more impactful.
Overflow with the promises of God - “By which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4)
Regularly consider the people in your life - "Let us consider one another to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). The key question in considering someone is "What do I like about them? What makes them unique?" Then tell them.
Encourage someone at every meeting you attend - “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Encouraging one another is one of the main reasons we fellowship and connect with people.
Prophesy - Eagerly desire to prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1). Learn its main components. (1 Corinthians 14:3) Practice, and then regularly prophecy.
Right now, God is releasing grace over us to be entrusted with divine appointments to those who are to speak and release life over those who need to hear it. We are life speakers in our families, neighborhoods, churches, schools, and beyond. Yes, there will be times when we speak about concerns we have, but we are the sent ones whose words will cause promises, miracles, and divine purposes to be birthed for the glory of God.