The Forty-Day Word Fastናሙና

One of my closest friends is on a quest to discover the Lord’s wisdom in his life. This particular man is a worshipper—oh, how he can worship! And as he and I started a forty-day word fast together, he helped me connect the dots between the wisdom of God and our worship and the fear of the Lord.

Just days into our fast, we asked, “What words should be in our mouths instead of judgment, criticism, sarcasm, negativity, complaints, and gossip?” My friend’s first thought was that the answer was wisdom—that the Lord wants words of wisdom coming from our mouths instead of these other negative words. Immediately we connected the dots to the proverb that says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10).

What does the fear of the Lord mean? One aspect is the awe we encounter when we come to know the Lord as our Savior. When I reflect on my struggles in life, from pornography to self-centeredness, my sins seem unforgivable and overwhelming. It is beyond humbling to think Jesus took all my sins and the sins of all humanity on Himself.

When I consider the enormity of what Jesus has done for us, I recognize the Lord’s awesome holiness. He was tempted in every way as a man yet was without sin. He was completely, perfectly sinless. Such awe and fear at the Lord’s perfection turns to worship and praise as I catch a glimpse of the Lord’s holiness. He is holy, so awesome and worthy to be praised!

The blood of the Lamb has washed my shame and my sin away—and He has done the same for you. What, then, should be on our lips instead of judgment, criticism, sarcasm, negativity, complaints, and gossip? Words of praise and thanksgiving.

Ask yourself, “How can I become more intentional about speaking words of praise and adoration to the Lord on a daily basis?” If any words come out of your mouth today that you need to repent of, do so. Ask the Holy Spirit to touch your heart and keep those words out of your mouth tomorrow.