Everything you say can and will be used against you. This is not only true in a court of law, but it is true in a spiritual sense as well. God created the universe with a spoken word, and our words hold eternal value too. Understanding the power of our words can help us to take our thoughts and words captive and bring them into alignment with God’s perfect will.
We know that our words can either build someone up or tear someone down. The way we speak to others often has a direct impact and consequences. The old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a lie. Words can and do hurt, just as they can be used to edify and build others up. Let’s dig a little deeper into the power of words.
Someone is Always Listening
Words have the power to move mountains or to send us to despair. Don’t speak flippantly and don’t underestimate the power of your tongue.
The tongue has the power of life and death.
~2 Proverbs 18:21
Satan is only able to act in our lives when he is given legal authority. This authority comes by our actions, thoughts, and, you guessed it, our words. The enemy hears our words and can use our words against us to gain a legal standing in the court of heaven. He is the accuser always seeking an open door to gain access into our lives.
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.
~Zechariah 3:1
The enemy tempts us, entices us, and lures us. He is always waiting and watching for us to slip up. When we do, he goes before God and accuses us. Our sins, whether in word or deed, give him legal authority and permission to inflict misery upon us. Once he has this authority, he unleashes demonic forces to carry out the sentence.
To learn more about how this works, I highly recommend the book, Operating in the Courts of Heaven.
When Our Words Become Binding
The words we speak have eternal significance. Even if we don’t mean what we say or speak with sarcasm, the enemy latches on to those words as opportunities to gain access to our lives. This is why understanding the power of our words has so much eternal value.
Vows
In this way, our words are like a binding contract, or a vow. Vows are essentially covenants that set spiritual forces in action. The enemy seeks to use your words against you and enforce what you declare.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
~Matthew 12:37
Most people think of vows as deliberate promises or agreements. In some cases this is true. But what you may not realize is you may be making unintentional vows with careless speech. Most vows begin with phrases like “I’ll never” or “I’ll always”. Below are some examples of ways that we can give the enemy permission to come in and influence our lives.
- “I’ll never forgive him for this.”
- “I’ll never trust anyone again.”
- “I’m always going to be alone.”
- “I’ll never get over what you did to me.”
Curses
Similarly, curses are careless declarations we speak over ourselves or others. Although we do not intend to impose curses, spoken words may have a binding effect in the legal realm.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
~James 3:10
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
~Proverbs 12:18
Just like vows, curses often begin with phrases like “I’ll never” or “I wish”. With phrases like these, you come into agreement with the statement you make. This gives the enemy direct authority to move in and cause problems to ensure that your words are carried out. Putting yourself down breeds negativity in your life as Satan seeks to carry out what you say. Gossip and other negative talk always has potential to work against another person in the spiritual realm.
Examples of self-imposed curses:
- “I’ll never succeed in this job.”
- “I’m sure I’m going to get sick.”
- “I’m so clumsy.”
- “I can’t do anything right.”
- “I’ll never get out of debt.”
- “I wish I were dead.”
Examples of curses spoken over others:
- “My daughter is so stubborn.”
- “You’ll never amount to anything.”
- “You’re so lazy, or stupid, or worthless, etc.”
- “You’re so forgetful.”
- “You’ll never be happy.”
There are dozens of other ways we can give the enemy legal access, but you get the point. Do you see how the power or our words means we can make vows or curses without even knowing or intending to do so?
At a time when I was really struggling with a rebellious attitude in my daughter, I was talking to a friend and complaining. She pointed out that my words, “She’s so rebellious,” were cursing my daughter to perpetuate that behavior. The enemy took my words to the court of heaven and said, “See, even her mother says she is stiff-necked.” I gave him permission and authority to manipulate. I immediately repented of the words I was speaking about my daughter and began speaking positive things over her. Her behavior and attitude changed dramatically. The power was in my spoken words!
Evidence of Curses and Vows in Your Life
When we make a vow or a curse, we enact demonic forces. This demonic assignment plagues an individual or family to bring the curse to reality. Patterns are often the most obvious sign of a vow or curse in your life. If you notice particular negative patterns in yourself or your family, it is possibly the result of a curse. For example, patterns of sickness or disease, untimely deaths, addictions, and divorce in a family tree may be a result of a curse on the family. A pattern of losing jobs, failed relationships, or struggling with a particular sin behavior may be the result of a self-imposed curse or vow.
Canceling Vows and Curses
Nullifying a vow or curse is a legal transaction. It is necessary to remove the legal authority of the enemy and cancel the associated demonic assignment. Just as our words have destructive power, we can use them for redemption as well. This is done though confession, repentance, giving/receiving forgiveness, and breaking the curse through the authority of Jesus Christ. The sample prayers for breaking curses and vows are very similar and can even be read together if necessary.
Sample script for breaking a curse:
I thank You for being the God of my past, present, and future. Thank You for the redemption that is mine through Jesus Christ and for calling all things into light (John 1:5).
Jesus, thank You for becoming a curse for me so that I may be redeemed from every curse.
Father, in Your name, I renounce and repent of my sins and the sins of my fathers (known and unknown to me). I freely forgive those who have knowingly or unknowingly enacted any curse in my life, and I release all judgment to You. Thank You for forgiving my sins and those of my fathers. I now receive Your forgiveness and redemption.
In the name of Jesus, I now renounce and nullify every curse ever established against me or my family. By the blood of Jesus, I also cancel any demonic assignment associated with these curses. You no longer have any legal authority in my life or my family’s lives. I hereby cancel every evil word ever spoken against me or my family.
Father, thank You for setting me free from these curses. In Jesus’ name, I declare and receive Your blessings in my life and thank You for Your protection. Father, please send Your Holy Spirit to reveal to me any times that I fall into patterns or habits resulting from these vows. Lord, I submit my words to You and ask that You show me places where I need to be more cautious.
Sample script for breaking a vow:
I thank You for being the God of my past, present, and future. Thank You for the redemption that is mine through Jesus Christ and for calling all things into light (John 1:5).
Father, in Your name, I renounce and repent of my sins and the sins of my fathers (known and unknown to me). I freely forgive those who have knowingly or unknowingly spoken any ungodly or destructive vow that was not in alignment with Your will. Thank You for forgiving my sins and the sins of anyone in my past for these vows. I now receive Your forgiveness and redemption.
In the name of Jesus, I now renounce and nullify every vow ever spoken and established against me or my family. By the blood of Jesus, I also cancel any demonic assignment associated with these vows. You no longer have any legal authority in my life or my family’s lives. I hereby cancel every evil word that was spoken by me or my family.
Father, thank You for setting me free from these vows. In Jesus’ name, I declare and receive Your blessings in my life and thank You for Your protection. Father, please send Your Holy Spirit to reveal to me any times that I fall into patterns or habits resulting from these vows. Lord, I submit my words to You and ask that You show me places where I need to be more cautious.
Want to learn more about spiritual blockages that may be affecting your spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness? Check out this post on Soul Ties.