“Whatever you verbalize, you give power to.”

A thought by Mark Batterson from his book, Play the Man: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be (p. 91). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Ok, this is good!

Mark says, “When you voice negative thoughts, you’re reinforcing what’s wrong. Over time, it often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“Instead of verbalizing negativity, speak words of faith.

“Instead of verbalizing complaints, speak words of praise.”

He goes on, “When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, Jeremiah felt overwhelmed and underqualified. He used inexperience as an excuse, and God rebuked his excuse. ‘Say not, I am a child.’  Jeremiah 1:7 (KJV)”

Mark says, “Quit making excuses!

“I’m too old. I’m too young. I had bad parents. I’ve made too many mistakes. I don’t have the education. I don’t have the experience.

“Say not!”

Mark then says, “What needs to go on your ‘say not’ list? You can start with obscenities, foolish talk, and coarse joking. While you’re at it, add gossiping and lying. And to top it off, quit insulting others or bragging about yourself.

“If we can subdue our tongues, there is no part of our bodies we cannot control. James likened the tongue to the rudder of a boat— it turns the whole ship.

James 3:3-6 says, “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.”

So, let’s subdue our tongues.  OK?

Yes, yes!