Speaking from the Heart (Part 6) - Keeping Faith Alive - 1.18.26

Joshua Boyd

Core Truth:
The key to a blessed life is obedience.
 The key to obedience is the tongue.

This message ties together the Law, faith, and daily Christian living—showing how words shape obedience and outcomes.

God’s Word Was Meant to Be Spoken

• Scripture (Old & New Testament) remains fully relevant—God does not change.
• Jesus fulfilled the Law; He did not eliminate it.
• The Ten Commandments are called the “Ten Words”—spoken directly by God.
• God gave His Word in written form so it could be remembered, repeated, and obeyed.

Obedience Brings Blessing

• “Obey” appears 321 times in the Old Testament; 75 times in Deuteronomy.
• Moses repeatedly emphasized obedience because it leads to life and blessing.
• Obedience is fueled by keeping God’s Word in our mouth and heart.
• Example: Nehemiah—God’s Word was spoken into his heart, producing faith and action.

The Word Is Near You

Deuteronomy 30:11–15

• God’s command is not distant or unreachable.
• It is on your lips and in your heart—so that you can obey it.
• Obedience is a daily choice between:
  • Life or death
  • Blessing or disaster

We love the promises—but the path to them is obedience.

Righteousness vs. Blessing

• We are made righteous by faith in Jesus, not by obedience.
• But blessing still flows through obedience.
• Christianity is different: Jesus did the work we couldn’t do.
• Yet our daily choices still matter—and words guide those choices.

Faith Is Spoken

Romans 10

• Faith “says” something—and also knows what not to say.
• Salvation itself comes through:
  • Believing in the heart
  • Declaring with the mouth that Jesus is Lord
• Faith stays alive through spoken Word.

The Shield of Faith

• The enemy attacks first with thoughts.
• Thoughts become words; words shape belief and direction.
• The shield of faith stops fear-filled thoughts before they reach the mouth.
• Speaking God’s Word aloud protects the heart and redirects life.

Speaking the Word Builds Faith

• Faith is visible—and audible.
• You can hear whether someone is in faith by what they say.
• Feeding fear (news, projections, worst-case scenarios) weakens faith.
• Speaking Scripture strengthens faith and brings peace.

Speaking in the Spirit

• New Testament gifts include speaking, prophecy, and tongues.
• Tongues:
  • Build up the believer
  • Speak mysteries directly to God
  • Bypass the mind and align with God’s will
• Romans 8:26 — The Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know how.
• Paul prayed in tongues often—and it fueled revelation and strength.

Words Determine Direction

• Words either advance God’s will or the enemy’s.
• Faith-filled speech produces life; fear-filled speech produces bondage.
• Change doesn’t start by “trying harder”—it starts by changing words.

God Listens to Faith Talk

Malachi 3:16–18

• Those who feared the Lord spoke often to one another.
• God listened and recorded their words in a book of remembrance.
• The difference between righteous and wicked is revealed by speech.

Final Takeaway

The key to a blessed life is obedience.
 The key to obedience is the tongue.

When we honor God’s Word by keeping it in our hearts and on our lips, obedience follows—and blessing flows.