Have you ever noticed how life has a way of squeezing you when you least expect it? You’re minding your own business, and suddenly—bam—you bump your car or get hit with a stressful situation. What comes out of you in that moment says a lot about what’s been going in.
I’ve been in those moments where the first thing out of my mouth wasn’t exactly scripture. But here’s the truth: our first reaction should be the Word of God. Not fear. Not panic. Not defeat. But the promises of God.
That’s what today’s message is all about—making the Word of God such a natural part of who we are that when life squeezes us, it’s the Word that flows out.
First Peter 5:8 (NLT) reminds us to,
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
What makes you an easy target? It’s when you don’t know the Word or when you don’t speak it.
James 4:7 (NLT) gives us the strategy:
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
The way you resist is by speaking the Word. When the enemy tells you that you’re worthless, you answer back with scripture. When he says God can’t use you, you declare the truth of who you are in Christ.
Mark 11:22-23 (NLT) is foundational for this. Jesus said,
“Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.”
Notice Jesus didn’t say to just think about it. He said to speak to the mountain. It’s not enough to believe. Even the demons believe (James 2:19, NLT: “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.”).
We have to believe and speak.
Ephesians 6:12-15 (NLT) teaches us about the armor of God:
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”
Preparation matters. You can’t speak what you don’t know. Fill your heart with the Word daily, so when the time comes, you’re ready to stand and speak with authority.
Jesus modeled this perfectly in Matthew 4:4 (NLT):
“But Jesus told him, ‘No! The Scriptures say, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’”
He didn’t add commentary. He didn’t make excuses. He spoke the Word.
We’re called to do the same. Speak to your circumstances. Speak to your body. Speak to your finances. Speak to your fears. Declare what God says about your situation.
I remember hearing a story about a well-known Evangelist when he was first getting started in ministry.
He used to drive around Texas and Oklahoma in this old, beat-up car. By all appearances, it had seen better days. But he didn’t complain about it.
Instead, every time he got in that car, he spoke life over it. He’d say things like, “This is a good car. You’re such a good car. You’re reliable. You’re fantastic.” And you know what? That old car never broke down on him.
One day, he arrived at a church where a mechanic happened to be in the congregation. The mechanic offered to check the car out for him, change the oil, and get it ready for the next trip.
After looking it over, the mechanic came back to him and said, “Did you really drive this car here?”
He nodded, a little confused.
The mechanic told him, “This car doesn’t even have ignition points. You can’t run a car without those.”
He explained that the car shouldn’t have been running at all. Mechanically, it was impossible. But somehow, it had gotten him there without a single problem.
Turns out, the words the Evangelist had been speaking over that car—backed by faith—had kept it running when it shouldn’t have been able to.
The Holy Spirit honored his words, because he chose to speak life instead of cursing it with negativity.
One of our men’s group leaders shared with me how he starts his day by declaring what he expects from himself, out loud. He speaks life over his mind, his heart, his tongue, and his day. He declares scripture and commands his flesh to line up with the Word.
This isn’t just positive thinking. It’s spiritual discipline. It’s choosing to partner with what God says, not with how we feel.
You can speak to your finances. If you’re tithing and sowing, you have every right to declare God’s provision over your life. Philippians 4:19 (NLT) says,
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
When your bank account tries to tell you that you’re broke, you tell it that you’re blessed.
You can speak to your body. Declare healing. Thank God for it even when you don’t feel it yet. Isaiah 53:5 (NLT) says, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”
My wife Darla and I are believing for home improvements. New floors, a roof, paint, HVAC, and a water heater. Instead of taking out a loan, we wrote a contract with God, listed our scriptures, took communion over it, and thanked Him for the provision.
We’re already picking out colors and planning for the blessing.
James 2:17-18 (NLT) says,
“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’”
So act like it’s true. Start thanking God before you see the result. Start preparing like it’s already done.
When you walk by faith, speak the Word, and live like it’s true, you’re not just holding on for dear life—you’re tied securely to Jesus. He’s carrying you through. You don’t have to hold it all together on your own.
Let’s live this way, church. Full of the Word. Ready to speak. Acting like it’s true. Because it is.
