Biblical Prosperity in Perspective 17

The Importance of Maintaining a Good Report, Part Two

by Pastor John Hamel

 

In our last lesson we saw the importance of maintaining a good report always.  Maintaining a good report means saying what God says in spite of contradictory circumstances, sights, sounds and feelings. 

 

Maintaining an evil report means speaking contrary to what God says.  Maintaining an evil report means to say what circumstances, sights, sounds and feelings say.  This is what Israel did.  They bemoaned the giants who were in the land God promised to give to them.  

 

They said, “We are not able” when God said, “You are more than able.”  Because Israel continued to speak against what God said they could do, they were 40 years accomplishing what they could have done in 40 days.

 

Words have power.  God does everything He does with His words.  We are created in God’s image and in God’s likeness. (Genesis 1:26)  This means that we are Co-Creators with Him.  

 

We can create good circumstances out of evil circumstances with the words of our mouths.  We can conquer the giants of poverty and lack, living our lives debt-free and comfortable while pumping individual fortunes into the preaching of the Gospel.

 

Our Tongues Literally Govern the Direction of Our Lives

It is so important that God’s children stop maintaining evil reports and sob stories for anyone who is ignorant enough of Scripture to listen to them.  I know that is a strong word.  I give it to you because I want to see a strong flow of finances coming toward you instead of racing away from you for a change. 

Let’s go back to the Epistle of James and see something he taught about the power of the tongue.  James grew up with Jesus, his half-brother.  Certainly he learned a few things around the house from his big brother concerning the power of the spoken Word.

“My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation [judgment].  For in many things we offend all.  If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” (James 3:1-2)

When James said that a man who does not offend in word is “perfect” he was actually saying that individual is morally and mentally mature.  It is a sign of spiritual maturity when someone is able to grab hold of their tongue and keep it in complete control.  

James also said that the individual who is able to control his tongue is also able to bridle the whole body.  The Amplified Bible says that the individual who controls their tongue is able to “curb his entire nature.”  This means that the person who uses their tongue wisely has a whole lot to say about their physical, mental, spiritual and material prosperity.

“Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.” (Verse 3)

I do not like bits for horses, although they are very effective.  They put pressure on the horse’s mouth so that the horse will obey the rider’s command.  James is telling us to put pressure on our own mouths in order to be able to effectively obey God’s command for us to prosper.  

People who criticize this principle, mocking it as “name it and claim it” are morally and mentally immature and just playing games with God.  James, the brother of Jesus, said this, not me.  So, don’t get mad at me.  I might be a half-decent Bible Teacher, but I did not write this.  I’m good, but I’m not that good.  I’m just trying to help you to prosper.  Not just for your benefit either, but for the benefit of the multiple billions who are waiting for God’s children to get a hold of this principle.

“Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.” (Verse 4)

The word James used for “turned” is actually “straightened.”  He uses the metaphor of a great ship with a tiny rudder to communicate the greatness of our lives being controlled by our tiny tongues.  If your life is a mess financially or in any other way, it is only going to get “straightened” out as you get your tongue back in control.  

Your tongue is the rudder of your life.  If you do not like where you are headed financially, put some pressure on the rudder and change course.  Lean on it a little.  It will obey you.  You do that by saying what God says.  When you do, your life will turn around financially and in every other way.

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.  Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature: and it is set on fire of hell.” (Verses5-6)

The Amplified Bible says, “The tongue sets on fire the wheel of birth – the cycle of man’s nature.”  If you want to get out of the poverty cycle, you are going to have to clamp down on your tongue and start saying what God says.  

God says He will meet every need according to His riches in Glory through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)  God says that His pleasure is in your prosperity, not in your poverty. (Psalm 35:27) 

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (Verse 7-8)

James is saying that the tongue is untamable by man alone.  He needs the help of the Holy Spirit.  Anyone who asks the Holy Spirit to help them control their tongue will find supernatural assistance immediately available to them.  Just pray, “Holy Spirit, whatever it takes, please help me to get a hold of my tongue and to use it on behalf of the lost world.  In Jesus’ Name.  Help me to speak prosperity and never again poverty.” 

It is appalling, the things some of God’s Co-Creators speak.  “I swear to God he’s going to kill himself on that thing.”  “She’s a holy terror but we love her to death.”  “You just watch, he’s going to end up murdering someone.  He’s such a little monster.”  “He’s such a lazy liar.  He’ll never change.  He’s just like his father.”  

“Some people are destined for wealth.  Others are destined for poverty.  Guess I’m just destined for poverty.”  “Look at that fool crossing the freeway.  He’s going to get himself killed.”  “Better watch your money around that Pastor.  He’s up to no good.  He needs to get a job like everybody else.” 

People wonder why they have no power with God and cannot seem to get their prayers answered.  Well here it is.  You cannot pray one way and go off and talk another.  When you speak against your prayers, you cancel them. 

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” (James 1:26)

“Put away from thee a forward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.” (Proverbs 4:24)

The word for “perverse” is contrary.  You simply cannot speak contrary to God’s Word and will and experience supernatural prosperity. 

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

In the original Hebrew “breach in the spirit” actually says, “the fracture of a dream.”  An out of control tongue is like a sledgehammer on a teacup.  It will bring a thing of beauty to unrecognizable pieces.  Listen, you were deliberately designed to dictate your destiny.  

However, you absolutely must begin to start speaking God’s will for your prosperity now.  Do not wait until you are in another crisis to try to train your tongue.  That would be like trying to pour a concrete foundation during a monsoon.  It will all just wash away and you will end up angry with God when God is not guilty.

God wants you to prosper.  It is pleasing to Him. (Psalm 35:27)  He wants you to prosper above all else. (3 John 2)  He wants to meet every need. (Philippians 4:19)  He will do it through tithes and offerings. (Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38)  The angels of God are just waiting to help you. (Psalm 103:20)  

However, everything hinges on that little orifice under your nose.  Get it in control and prosper in this life.  Get it in control and you will have nothing to fear in the next life.

You Will Give Account for Your Words at Christ's Judgment

Believers do not stand before the Great White Throne Judgment after death.  That is a Judgment for the wicked dead only. (Revelation 20:11-15) 

Believers will stand before the Bema (Reward) Judgment Seat of Christ. (2Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10

This is a Judgment where rewards will be given and/or taken away. (See First Corinthians 3:14-15.) 

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2Corinthians 5:10)

Every Believer who stands before Christ’s Judgment Seat will literally give account for every single evil report that ever came out of their mouth which was not repented of.  Someone said, “Oh, that is ridiculous.  How in the world is something like that even possible?”  I do not know how and I do not care how.  I only know that it is true because Jesus said it is true.  People need to have as much faith in Holy God as they do in IPod.

“A good man out of the good treasure [God’s Word] of the heart bringeth forth [ejects] good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure [Satan’s words] bringeth forth evil things [calamity].  But I say unto you, That every idle [lazy, useless, unemployed] word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment [the Judgment Seat of Christ].  For by thy words thou shalt be justified [rendered innocent], and by thy words thou shalt be condemned [pronounced guilty].” (Matthew 12:35-37)

Idle words are words that contradict God’s Word and God’s Plan for the lost people of the world.  Idle words are words that do not employ Kingdom Principles.  Idle words are ones that always give the evil report.  Here is how the Judgment will go for the one who refuses to bridle their tongue.

Evil reporter:  “Lord, sorry I couldn’t finance the Gospel the way that I see some of these other folks around here were able to do.  I kept losing my job.  I never did have enough to make ends meet.  Every time a promotion came up, someone else got it and I just always knew they would.  You can ask anybody I worked with.  They heard me say so.  Nothing good ever happened for me.  Things always happened to me.  I know You understand.”

Jesus:  “I know all about it.  I don’t need to ask your former fellow workers.  I heard every word you ever said.  I did a lot of cringing while you were on the Earth. You talked then the way you’re talking to Me now.  Every word you ever spoke will now testify against you.  You could have agreed with My Word.  You could have said that no weapon formed against you would prosper. (Isaiah 54:17)  

"You could have said that you were translated out of the kingdom of poverty and into the Kingdom of Prosperity. (Colossians 1:12-13)  You could have said greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. (1John 4:4)  You could have said that you’d get those promotions because My good pleasure was your prosperity. (Psalm 35:27)  You could have said a lot of things you didn’t say.  You did a lot of griping, poor mouthing and evil reporting in spite of what My Bible taught.  I had some pretty good Teachers down there, too, particularly the ones found in what you called the 'Bible Belt' you always found a reason to mock.”

Evil reporter:  “But Lord, it just didn’t seem that Your Word was true.  It went against everything in the natural and everything I felt.”

Jesus:  “Exactly.  I couldn’t have said it better.  You didn’t walk by faith.  You walked by sight.  No matter how often I sent someone to tell you, you always denied the thing that pleases Me and My Father the most.  Faith.  Simple, childlike faith, just like it says right here in Hebrews 11:6.  Please step up to the bench and read this verse out loud to the Court.”

This is basically how the Judgment will go on behalf of those who labeled true Disciples as “name it and claim its.”  This is why the Bible says that God is going to “wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)  There’s going to be a lot of tears shed when people realize what they could have accomplished for Christ in the Earth if only they had not lived like faith in God was some sort of extra-curricular activity.  If only they had not lived like there really was no place called Hell.  Some Christians live in a fog.  One day Christ is going to step out of that fog and open a Book that will reveal every idle word that stopped His will from coming to pass on behalf of the lost people of the world.  It is going to be a sad day for them. 

Now I’m not saying that Christians who do not hook up with supernatural prosperity are not going to Heaven.  They are going to Heaven.  But I will go so far as to say this.  They will spend Eternity in Heaven somehow having to look into the faces of the people who are spending Eternity in Hell because they were too irresponsible, selfish or prideful to do something about it with their finances.  That is what the Bible says.

“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” (Isaiah 66:24)

Somehow, while in Heaven, Believers who refused to get hooked up with the financing of God’s End Time Harvest of souls are going to be able to look into Hell and see what they could have prevented. 

I say this respectfully.  I do not know how it is possible and I do not particularly care to know.  What I care about right now is that it does not happen to you.  That is why I am taking the time to admonish you to maintain a good report. 

Get control of your tongue and get control of your finances.  Say what God says.  

Call in the money that it is going to take to seek and save the lost, to destroy the works of Satan and to be a testimony of wealth and of God’s goodness in the Earth. 

Hook your tongue up with supernatural prosperity and hook up with the greatest soul Harvest the world has ever seen.

Be blessed … John and Barbara Hamel

 

 

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