Tuesday, 5th November, 2024
Bible Reading: Colossians 4:6
Memory Verse: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
A former national team player counselled a current national team player who went on his social media platform to discuss sacred issues about the national team in the full public glare. He told him, “You better calm down. Bad behaviours denied me of my career in England.” During his time in Italy, he threw his jersey angrily at his head coach when he was subbed off a match. That singular act marred his potential move to a more lucrative club. He advised, “Your character can close your door. Calm your head down, there is life after football,” he warned. What is character? Character is the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
The way to think, talk, speak and act is distinctive of your character. Your character is otherwise known as your behaviour. One bad behaviour can shut the door of greatness on you. One bad behaviour can close the answers to your many prayer points of several years. One bad behaviour can become a landing port for the devil to wreck great havoc. A man who has imbibed the character of hardwork and diligence is sure to stand before kings and not ordinary men (Proverbs 22:29).
Your character is the sum total of your habits – things you do daily – that has become a part of you. You simply do such things unconsciously. The character of talking anything and anyhow to people who are older than you, your parents, or to those who are higher than you in hierarchy will surely land many youths in trouble. “I don’t take shit,” has shut down the glory of many destinies. You must learn to keep quiet especially when annoyed.
There are days when silence is golden. If you must allow the forces of heaven and earth to fight your battles for you, you will need to learn to keep your mouth shut. God cannot be fighting for you and you are fighting for yourself. There is a time to speak and there is a time to be quiet, so says the Preacher. If you speak to men in the position of authority and power when you are not meant to, you may reap a gross consequence.
Imagine the woman whom Jesus told, “You don’t give the children’s meat to dogs” in Matthew 15:25-28 talk back rashly to Jesus. Consequently, she would have lost her miracle. She endured the harsh metaphor coming from a man higher than her in authority by swallowing her pride and replying in faith, and as a result, got her much needed miracle. Receive grace to learn to keep quiet, in Jesus name.
Furthermore, men of character are men whose words are golden and have been tried. They keep to their words. They keep to appointments and notify earlier if they wouldn’t be able to. They keep to their promises. Their No is No, and their Yes is Yes. If your words mean little or nothing to you, why then should it weigh in the spirit realm?
Quote: Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny – Lao Tzu.
Prophetic Decree: Your words shall not act as an hindrance against your destiny, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Thank you Father for the power in your words, and the Word of your power.
2. Any negative word used against me, backfire, in Jesus name.
3. Anywhere I have sold my destiny as a result of wrong use of words, O Lord, revive me, in Jesus name.
4. I receive the spirit of self-control, in Jesus name.
5. Henceforth, only spirit-filled words shall come out of my mouth, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 23, Luke 20-21