In 2 Timothy 1:13-14 Paul the apostle is not only referring to what he is saying, but ‘how’ he is saying it…
Paul is referring to the ‘pattern’ of his words, his ‘word structure’, or ‘how’ he articulates truth. The way that we say things can be the difference between edification and condemnation – for example, you can say, “you need to pray more and be in the Word more and feed your spirit because you have been in the flesh a lot lately” – or you can say, “Isn’t it powerful how being in the Word and in prayer feeds our spirit and defeats the flesh, let’s encourage each other in this!” The one is a ‘put down’ while the other lifts and encourages – saying the same thing, but in a different way.
As a sermon title, you could have, ‘Three things that will keep you out of poverty’, or, ‘Three things that will prosper you’ – the one focusses on the problem, while the other ministers the solution - our words could be problem focused, or they can be solution focused – it’s all about ‘how’ you say what you say!
Paul said, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me” – hold fast to the way that I articulate truth, and pay attention to ‘how’ I communicate – notice how my words communicate grace, love, acceptance and life and not condemnation, discouragement and death. In 2 Timothy, Paul is able to minister correction, but he does it in such a way that brings life.
I remember telling my grandchild, “you are such a smart, gentle, wonderful young boy that loves Jesus – smart, gentle young boys like you don’t speak to their sisters like that, don’t you agree?” He immediately smiled and came in agreement – It is all about your ‘pattern’ of words.
Pay attention to your pattern of words today, speak life, speak encouragement, edify and bless others by the way that you articulate truth, in Jesus Name!
Make this confession of faith - say this out loud with me…
“John 17:17 says that I am sanctified and set apart by Your truth - Your Word is truth - Your Word absolute truth – the Word is for me to walk in, to accept as final truth and for me to stand on, to declare by faith and for me to do – I am who the Word says that I am - I can do what the Word says I can do - I can be who the Word says I can be - Christ in me can do all things – I can do all things through Christ - I have absolute POWER over ALL the Work of the enemy – nothing shall by any means harm me – I have power to raise the dead – I have power to heal the sick – I have power to do the works of Jesus – I have total authority over all of the works of His hands in Jesus Name! – the power and the authority of the creator of all things is on the inside of me – when I speak by faith, I ALWAYS have what I say – As I speak the Word, the Father ALWAYS watches over it to perform it – The Father loves it when I expect Him to ALWAYS perform His EVERY Word! – I always expect the Father to bring to pass every word that I speak according to His Word – God is not a man that He should lie – His Word is literal, His Word is truth and His Word is final!”
