I'm convinced that few Christians realize this important fact: our words dominate us.

We will never rise above the confession of our lips. We will either rise or fall to the level of our confession. Many times people discover the power of their words and make it work for them, even though they are not saved.

For instance, someone might continually tell himself, "I can do anything I put my mind to." As he says that with his mouth and believes it in his heart, he will become successful at what he puts his hand to. He might not understand the spiritual law behind what he's doing, but it will work for him anyway.

On the other hand, I have heard people look at a task set before them and say, "I can't do it." The moment they said that, they were defeated. The moment you say you do not have faith, doubt will rise up like a giant and bind you. You are imprisoned by your negative words.

Proverbs 6:2 says, "Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth." The margin of the King James Version says, "Thou art taken captive with the words of thy mouth." In other words, whether good or bad, your words dominate you.

We Must Confess Our Faith
Our confession is a vital part of our faith. And Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God demands that we have faith in order to please Him. If God demands that we have faith when it's impossible for us to have faith, we have a right to challenge His justice, because that would be unjust.

But it is possible for us to have faith because the Bible says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17). God tells us how faith comes or how we can increase our faith—by hearing His Word. Therefore, the responsibility rests with us whether or not we have strong faith.

I want you to notice two things here about the God-kind of faith.

1. You need to realize that confession precedes possession. Most people want to possess the blessing first and then they'll confess it. But notice Jesus said, "he shall have whatsoever he saith" (Mark 11:23).
   
   You see, at the time you say it, you don't have it. That's because confession precedes possession. You must confess God's Word to bring the thing you desire into the realm of reality (Heb. 11:1).
   
2. You must believe your words. You must believe in your heart that what you say will come to pass. You must believe the Word of God in your heart and then you must believe the Word of God on your lips.
   
   Many times people will say, "Oh, I wish I had that kind of faith." Well, the Bible says you do! Second Corinthians 4:13 says, "We having the same spirit of faith."

We believe and therefore we speak. Believing and speaking the Word is operating in the same principle of faith Jesus talked about in Mark 11:23. There are many examples in the Word that show us that, good or bad, our words dominate our lives.

So don't ever talk failure or defeat. Never for one moment admit that God can't cause you to overcome in life.

When you talk defeat, you are saying, "God cannot put me over." But God is the God who is more than enough! He can put you over in every situation in life!

We as Christians need to become God-inside minded. We need to continually proclaim with our words that "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Cultivate the habit of dwelling upon the things of God in your thought life (Phil. 4:8). Learn to use words that will edify your own spirit—words that are positive and faith-filled.

Have you ever visited someone who was going through a test or a trial and all they talked about was doubt, unbelief, and failure? You probably went away feeling like a spirit of depression was trying to attach itself to you. Well, if what others say affects you, how much more will what you say affect you?

Focus On The Promise, Not The Problem
So many Christians defeat themselves by spending long hours telling others how many mistakes they've made, how great their problems are, and how weak their faith is. The more they talk this way, the bigger their problems look and the weaker their faith becomes.

Instead of diagnosing your own case by looking at it through natural eyes, let God's Word diagnose your case. Believe and speak what God's Word says. Instead of saying, "I don't have much faith," say, "I have the same spirit of faith according as it is written, I believe therefore I speak" (2 Cor. 4:13).

Once you understand that everyone has a measure of the God-kind of faith, you need to realize that this faith can be increased. The Bible says, "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, because YOUR FAITH GROWETH exceedingly" (2 Thess. 1:3).

So we see that faith can grow. And it should grow. The Word of God is faith food. You need to feed upon the Word and exercise your faith in order for your faith to grow. And a part of growing in faith is learning to fill your mouth with words that are in line with God's Word.

There is a growth to faith. Whatever a person is believing for, the words he speaks after he has prayed can determine whether or not he receives his answer.

Some people say, "Well, if I said I'm not doubting, I'd be lying about it." They are speaking what their mind is telling them instead of listening to their spirit. That's often what defeats people.

Either Way, Your Words Will Dominate You
I've said this for years, and I'm going to keep on saying it: "Faith will work in your heart with doubt in your head."

Realize that your words dominate you. Whether your words are filled with faith or doubt, they will dominate the circumstances of your life. Your words will make you a victor or they will keep you a captive.

So learn to talk in line with the Word of God. Confess the scriptures over and over that promise you the things you desire. As you do, those scriptures will register on your spirit. Your faith will rise to the level of your confession, and you'll experience victory over your circumstances—because faith in God works!

Source: Classic Sermons by Kenneth Hagin
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications