Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
A few of us have realized that our confession rules us. Your confession rules you, either you know it or not. Your confession sets the standard for you, and to your life; either a standard to rise to or one to fall to. By confession, we mean the confession of your mouth as to your life and circumstances; not the confession of sins. It matters what you say about yourself and about your circumstances. You cannot say just anything about yourself and your life. You must be intentional and very positive as regards what you say about yourself and your life. Your confession releases and creates possibilities and realities depending on its content. The story of Joab in 1 Kings 2 shows the power of confession. Joab, the captain of the host of Israel under David, was the only man in the whole Bible who died holding onto the horns of the altar. He was not faithful to David; but after David had handed over the kingdom to his Son Solomon, he advised Solomon to cut off any threat of rebellion in the kingdom, which meant that Solomon needed to chop off Joab’s wings. In an attempt for Joab to save his life, he ran into the Temple, and held onto the horn of the altar, which was a symbol of the mercy of God. So, he was holding onto the mercy of God. The law stated that anyone who held onto the horn of the altar must be spared irrespective of what he had done wrong. News got to Solomon that Joab had held onto the horn of the altar. But Joab while holding onto the horn of the altar kept saying that he would die there. News got to Solomon again that Joab said he would die at the altar. So, Solomon being a wise man gave the command to kill him there because he had said with his mouth that he would die at the altar. Solomon said Joab’s blood shall be upon his head.
The story of Joab was a pathetic one. He was at the altar of God, holding unto the mercy of God, but still died for his wrong confession. That was the only man that died holding onto the horn of the altar. Everyone else who did hold on to the horn of the altar was spared. For example, Adonijah held onto the horn of the altar in 1 Kings 1:50 and was spared. Joab however died, not because the horn of the altar did not offer him mercy from judgment. He died because of what he said with his mouth. It tells us here that the law of the mercy of God, as powerful as it is, is still subject to the law of confession (what you say with your mouth). By your words, you shall be justified and by your words, you shall be condemned.
MY SOLID FRONT (Confession):
In the Name of Jesus, I declare that I have found mercy in Christ Jesus, therefore I align my words with the mercy of God. I declare that life is mine. I declare that health is mine. I declare that I have help in the Name of Jesus. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places. Yes! I have a goodly heritage. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: 1 Kings 2:29-34; 1 Peter 3:10.