Words – Day 25 by Iriza

Words of Authority

“And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, ‘Let no fruit grow on you ever again.’ Immediately the fig tree withered away.” Matthew 21:19

At the entranceway to our house grew a luscious Jasmine bush. The one spring it looked like the bush was dusted with icing sugar. The tiny white flowers bloomed in an abundance. I’ve never suffered from sinusitis, but this one morning, the sweet, pungent aroma was so overwhelming it aggravated my sinuses. Irritated, (mostly with myself) I looked at the bush and said “You are making me sick! All your flowers should die” Not giving it much thought of what I said, we got in the car and went about our daily routine. That evening as we walked passed it, one of my girls said: “Mommy look at the Jasmin bush”. I did. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The hundreds of tiny little white flowers where brown on withered. The ground beneath the bush covered with dead flowers. There was no aroma to welcome us home on a beautiful spring evening. Staring in shock, I recalled my words of the morning. I knew our words are powerful, but this? Immediately I asked God for forgiveness and to forgive my words. I told the bush that it’s allowed to bloom again. But not one flower appeared the rest of the summer, and the painful reminder of what my words did, haunted me each time I passed it. Like a daily reminder to be attended to whatever I say. It was a hard lesson to learn. The next spring we were blessed with another abundance of tiny, sweet-smelling white flowers.

Jesus demonstrated the authority our words carry when He cursed the fig tree. I believe it’s to emphasize the authority our words have when we pray for revelations, healing, deliverance and breakthroughs. Words can curse and set free, it depends on what you say and how careful you are with the authority of your mouth.

Prayer: Father, just like the ripple effect on the smooth surface of the water, our words ripple through our own lives, the lives of others and the environment around us. Teach me to use the authority of my words wisely. Amen.

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