Article

Testimonial

Testimonial

Words have great power. The book of James compares the tongue to a tiny rudder that changes the course of a ship, or a small spark that sets and entire forest on fire. Our words, whether we speak them out loud or not, can cause spiritual bondage in our lives. Our friend and pastor, Gene Heacock, describes the process this way: with our words we make a vow; the vow turns into a script; with the script we play a role; and that role begins to rule us.

We lose our freedom when the limitations of our vows control us. Our relationships suffer. We make un-Christlike decisions and choices because we lock ourselves into the roles that we’ve written to protect ourselves.

The man who vows, “I’ll never lose,” becomes aggressive and competitive. The one who vows, “I’ll always be a winner,” gets caught in a relentless performance trap. The woman who determines, “I’ll never be alone again,” forces herself into an endless series of unfulfilling relationships. The wounded child who swears, “I’ll never be hurt again,” sets herself up for a lifetime of loneliness and empty encounters with others.

Many times in the past, I was bound by my need for control, the strength of my judgments, and the power of my word. I told the Lord that I wanted to be more like Him, then I I firmly resisted his loving desire to change and heal me. I trusted my ability to manage my life more than I trusted His power to change it. I tried to maintain a comfort zone.

But in all honesty, my comfort zone wasn’t all that comfortable. It was miserable. With my words, I built a thick wall of distrust and cynicism, and insulat, impenetrable wall that locked me in and others out. …

As I repented and renounce my vows, He broke down the shield of words and became my defense instead. The change didn’t happen all a once, but I felt a definite release that was the first step to a deeper understand of His love and trust.

If we want God to break the vows that bind us, we must invite Him to storm our fortresses. We must be willing to pray with the psalmist, “Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm139)

[Editor’s Note – The above testimony is from Barbara Picard’s “Building a wall made of words” – Recovery Ministries, Winter
1998’ Newsbrief ]