If you were to ask me what sound or godly counsel I would humbly give people who stand in oracular offices in ministry, I would say to beware of IMPUNITY OF WORDS.
By impunity of words I mean the uncultured way and manner of communication. Speaking the truth notwithstanding, the truth has to be spoken in an edifying manner, not in an abusive manner.
To associate negative temperaments like anger with certain ministerial offices like the prophetic office is unscriptural.
A sound minister must be matured in speech. His words must minister grace to the hearers and communicate depth with the simplicity of Christ – Eph 4:29, Col. 4:6.
In life and ministry, it takes years to build but it takes one single moment of indiscretion – a moment of negative speaking to destroy what has been built for years.
JAMES 3:6
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
That’s why it’s safer to be swift to hear but slow to speak.
JAMES 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH:
The Scripture is with unmistakable clarity. Those who don’t reflect very deeply before they splutter things have a higher predisposition towards anger according to this scripture.
A minister must speak tenderly to Zion. You cannot speak roughly and turn around to say your intent is pure.
No, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks – Matt.12:34. There’s no slip of tongue in the Spirit realm.
Spiritual maturity in ministry manifests in harmonizing the intent of your heart with the words of your mouth in an edifying manner.
The goal of the teaching, reproof, correction and instruction of Scriptures is so that the recipient may become better – 2Tim.316-17.
A man of God does not say anything he likes. He doesn’t use vulgar languages. He doesn’t speak outside of the discipline of Scriptures and of the Holy Spirit.
He’s one with the tongue of the learned, meaning that he’s a life-time student in the School of the Spirit – Isa.50:4, Jn.5:30.
If ministers can listen to and yield to the promptings and prickings of the Spirit in our hearts, there are certain things that we won’t say.
A man of God who talks with impunity without control has disobeyed the nudgings of the Spirit in his heart over time such that his heart is dull of perception and he now sees the abnormal as normal.
To go far in preaching or teaching or oracular ministry in general therefore, learn to speak as one who is Spirit-taught and as one who has learnt Christ.
You have nothing to gain setting the whole course of nature on fire through your words.
People are precious in the sight of God, therefore honour them through thoughtful and edifying words.
Don’t ground your ministry by impunity of words. Let the Holy Spirit guide your speech and let Christ the Head of the Church be glorified through your righteous communication.
Let your words BLESS and BUILD lives, for therein lies true fulfilment in the call!
Trusting the Spirit of God to etch this word on the canvas of our hearts.
BLESSINGS!!!
Source: Bimbo Animashaun Teaching Ministries |Published with permission.
Aphorism CITY 