Devoted: Dedicated to Christ (3)

Talk is not Cheap

As we talked about being devoted to Christ we must talk about Colossians 2. Prayer is one of our biggest tools against the enemy in this war we fight. And words are not cheap. I’ve watched Tic Tok videos where people pretend to have limited words that they are allowed to use. When you purposefully limit the words you use then there becomes meaning in every word.

You look in the book of proverbs there isn’t a lacking of scripture telling you keep silent

Proverbs 10:19 ESV

19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 17:28 ESV

28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 29:20 ESV

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Words have meaning. In a few words a Dr. can change your life. A Judge can save or condemn a life. A marriage can be lost or saved. In a few words a father can breed confidence in his children and in a few words tear them apart.

Words have meaning. and the highest uses of the gift of speech would be praise and prayer.

Colossians 4:2–6 ESV

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

First we must be steadfast

1. Steadfast/persistant

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

17 pray without ceasing,

This command isn’t to keep talking but rather to have the lines of communication open. It means that we are supposed to talk with God as much as we talk with our spouse or our family. Praying should be as normal as breathing to a devoted Christ follow because you can’t follow someone you aren’t in communication with.

2. Watchful

Nehemiah 4:9 ESV

9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

Our prayer should be watching for an attack. Our communication should be guarding our hearts and our minds. Both Jesus and Paul quoted this verse when talking about setting guard.

Real prayer demands spiritual energy. Alertness and this only comes when we tapped into the holy Spirit

Dull prayers are powerless prayers. One Theologian stated

Routine prayers are unanswered prayers

3. Thankful

Colossians tells us to be thankful in our prayers 6 times.

Psychology tells us that gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, enjoy good experiences, improve thier health, deal with adversity better, and build strong relationships.

4. Purposeful

1 John 5:14–15 ESV

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Prayer is not to release our will in heaven, but to release God’s will on earth.

Words are important and when we pray God’s words and God’s will than we are using the most powerful tool that we have.

Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, it’s laying hold of his willingness.

5. Graceful

2 Timothy 2:25 ESV

25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

When we are graceful with our words we can bring healing. I was once told by a mentor of mine that you have mastered graceful speech when you can tell someone they are going to hell and have them thank you at the end of the conversation.

Prayers tell both God and Satan your plans. They unleash angels and they secure places.