The Fruit of Our Lips
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From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:20-21 Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Matthew Henry’s Commentary states: “The belly is here put for the heart, as elsewhere; and what that is filled with, our satisfaction will be accordingly, and our inward peace.” Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45 confirm this: “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
The Bible speaks of confession of sins and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. A separate concept of biblical confession exists, however, that is foreign to many, but God’s word couldn’t be clearer. In Isaiah 57:19, God says, “I create the fruit of the lips,” just as He created His own words in Genesis 1. When we confess God’s word over our lives and over our families, we are choosing to agree with God, Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), until the circumstances around us line up with His truth.
A true story: A couple's teenage son was addicted to drugs. After learning of the power of confession, they stood over their son passed out in his bed and blessed him, declaring that he was the seed of the righteous (Proverbs 11:21), and that he would become the man of God he was created to be. Within months, the young man gave his life to Christ.
If this form of confession is new to you, start by finding a secluded place and reading the following out loud:
Heavenly Father, Your word is truth because You cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and every voice and every circumstance in my life that doesn’t agree with Your word is untrue (Romans 3:4). Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me enough to die for me even though I couldn’t deserve your love (Romans 5:8). I declare that my righteousness is of You and no weapon (physical, mental, spiritual or emotional) assigned against me will prosper; every tongue that rises against me in judgment will be proven wrong, for this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord (Isaiah 54:17). Because I have set my affections on You, You will deliver me and set me on high (Psalm 91:14). I declare that I am the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). I am blessed everywhere I go (Deuteronomy 28:3-6) and everything I set my hand to do prospers (Psalm 1:3). Lord, You surround me with favor as with a shield (Psalm 5:12). You go before me and You are my rear guard (Isaiah 52:12, 58:8, Psalm 139:5). You make the crooked places straight and the rough places plain (Isaiah 40:4). Your word is a lamp to my feet (Psalm 119:105) and You order my steps (Psalm 37:23). Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in Your house forever (Psalm 23:6). Amen.
This is just a sample of the many possible confessions in the bible. Feel free to add other scriptures. Try it every day for two weeks and see what the fruit of your lips will produce. Just don’t unravel your confession by the rest of your words through the day. You are who God says you are...period.
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