The Transforming Realm

Prophetic Ministry Requires Prophetic Language

Prophetic ministry requires prophetic language. Every call of God has a unique language of faith. When God called Jeremiah into ministry, he responded, "I cannot speak, I am a child."  In other words, "I'm not qualified." You might feel the same. It's not unusual to feel like that. Jeremiah did, and his words affected God. God had to correct Jeremiah's language. Let's take a look. "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak" (Jeremiah 1:4-7). You can't be strong in the Lord with a weak language. Jeremiah thought he wasn't qualified. It's true he was not experienced, but whom the Lord calls he qualifies. The point is this. God is affected by your words. God says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverbs 18:21). This means you get to choose what lives and what dies in your ministry. Guarding your heart is important. Scripture says, "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee" (Proverbs 4:20-24). A froward language is an unbelieving language. Words are important to the Holy Spirit. This is a kingdom of God principle. "You shall have whatsoever you saith." Jeremiah received a strong call to ministry. "Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:9-10). This is a mighty calling. Before God could put His words in Jeremiah's mouth, however, he had to correct his language. Prophetic ministry requires prophetic language. Prophets see, hear, and say. As spokesmen, they understand that words: Affect spiritual climates. Steer one's life. Affects the Holy Spirit. Expose doubt and unbelief, or faith. Reveal if you are ready or not. Are proof of change. Before Jeremiah could enter his ministry, he had to change his language. A correction was needed. He had to renew his mind. The Bible says, "I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:1-2). This is a good lesson us all. When you change the way you think, you will change the way you speak. Find the words you need. When God called Jeremiah, he wasn't experienced, but it made no difference. Whom God calls, He qualifies. Every call of God has a unique language of faith.