Way #23 – Start Talking

My paternal grandmother lived to almost 98 years old. Longevity runs in our family, but other than a great uncle who lived to 100, she’s lived the longest. She was a lovely woman, kind and unassuming. Only after her death this past June did I realized how much her faithful and steady ways impacted me.

One fond memory I have is of how she talked to herself. In hushed tones under her breath, she often carried on an entire conversation with herself. Her words were indiscernible to those around her, but I always felt she was mulling over the concerns on her mind.

There’s a spiritual counterpart to what my grandmother did. It’s called soul talk, and it’s not new. King David practiced it thousands of years ago:

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).

Like King David, there are times when the wisest thing we can do is verbalize truth to ourselves. David was in a very difficult season: “My tears have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42:3). He felt forgotten and rejected by God. That’s what he felt, but it wasn’t what was true.

We too battle lie-based emotions. When we do, we need to speak truth to ourselves — whether in hushed undertones or through a megaphone. Truth and faith come by hearing the words of Christ (Romans 10:17).  And little, if anything, is more important than believing God:

“God pours out His Spirit and works miracles among us because we believe” (Galatians 3:5).  

Soul talk was part of Jesus’ response when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus used the Word of God to counter Satan’s attacks. In verbalizing God’s Word, He heard the truth. Such hearing most assuredly increased His faith, helping Him stand firm against Satan’s tempting lies.

Sometimes the lies get so loud you must turn up the volume of the truth.

Sometimes you simply need to start quoting Scripture, asking God to reveal passages that speak to the lies you are believing.

Sometimes it’s the only thing you have the strength to do, and even then, you need to call or email a friend and ask them to pray for you.

And sometimes you need to cry out for help, remembering the consequences you’ve experienced along the path of lies.

I’ve been in those times and bet you have too. Each time we are in danger of slipping into spiritual defeat, of letting the lies win, of not appropriating the power available through God’s truth.

Be ready for those times! Be aware of Way #23 of 52 Ways to Glorify God:

Practice the art of soul talk. 

Lies fill our world. They swirl around us and Satan uses them to discourage and defeat us. We must be intentional to silence lies with God’s truth. Soul talk is a powerful weapon against the attack of lies, one you can practice any where, at most any time.