February 15th, 2026
by Joel Dupree
by Joel Dupree
5-Day Devotional: Your Words Are Not Neutral
Day 1: God Spoke and It Was
Reading: Genesis 1:1-3, 26-27
Devotional: In the very beginning, God demonstrated the ultimate power of spoken words. He didn't need to speak—He's God. He could have simply thought creation into existence. But He chose to speak: "Let there be light." Why? Because He was establishing a pattern for us, His image-bearers. When God created humanity in His image, He gave us this same creative power through our words. Your tongue may be small, but like the rudder of a great ship, it directs the course of your entire life. Today, pause and consider: What am I creating with my words? Am I speaking life or death? Remember, you're made in the image of the God who spoke worlds into existence. Your words matter more than you realize.
Reflection: What have you been speaking over your life that needs to change?
Day 2: Death and Life in the Tongue
Reading: Proverbs 18:21; James 3:2-6
Devotional: Scripture is clear: death and life are in the power of the tongue, and you will eat the fruit of what you speak. If you're constantly speaking defeat, don't be surprised when your life tastes like failure. Your words aren't just noise or venting—they're seeds being planted in the soil of your future. James compares the tongue to a bit in a horse's mouth and a ship's rudder. These tiny instruments control massive forces. You cannot control every storm that comes your way, but you can control your rudder. You can't change the wind, but you can adjust your words. Stop speaking what you fear and start declaring what God has promised. Your mouth is planting tomorrow's garden today.
Reflection: What negative patterns have you been watering with your words?
Day 3: Breaking Out of the Rut
Reading: Psalm 19:14; Romans 12:2
Devotional: Your brain forms grooves—literal pathways—based on what you repeatedly think and say. The more you rehearse a thought pattern, the deeper the rut becomes, and the easier it is to fall back into it. "I'm not good enough." "This always happens to me." "I'll never change." These aren't just harmless thoughts; they're ruts that keep you traveling the same destructive path. The enemy wants you stuck in that groove of least resistance. But God wants to renew your mind and give you new pathways. Today, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the ruts you're stuck in. Then make a conscious decision to jump out. Replace the lie with truth. It won't be easy—old grooves pull hard—but with God's help, you can create new patterns that lead to life.
Reflection: What specific lie do you need to replace with God's truth today?
Day 4: Speaking Life Into Others
Reading: Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:29
Devotional: A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. One harsh sentence can ruin a whole evening; one gentle word can stop a fight before it starts. Your words don't just affect you—they shape the atmosphere around you and impact everyone in your life. God calls us to speak words that build up, not tear down. Today's challenge is specific encouragement. Don't just say, "You're great." Say, "I appreciate how you stayed steady when things got stressful." Find something real and speak life into it. When you bless others with your words, you're creating an atmosphere of grace rather than criticism. You're becoming a light in a dark world. Remember: your tongue can be medicine or poison. Choose healing.
Reflection: Who needs you to speak specific, life-giving words to them today?
Day 5: Guarding Your Heart and Mouth
Reading: Psalm 141:3; Philippians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 10:5
Devotional: David prayed, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." This is a prayer of surrender—acknowledging that we need God's help to control our tongues. Some of us need to pray this before we even open our eyes in the morning. The battle begins in your thought life. What you meditate on in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth. That's why Paul tells us to take every thought captive and think on things that are true, noble, and praiseworthy. Don't just fast food—fast complaining. Stop rehearsing your problems and start addressing them as a problem-solver, not a murmurer. When you align with God before the day gets loud, you give Him control of your words, your thoughts, and ultimately your destiny.
Reflection: Will you commit to praying Psalm 141:3 every morning this week before you speak?
Final Challenge: Implement the 5-step action plan from this message. Remember: your mouth is not neutral. Your words are either building a landing strip for faith or constructing a cage of fear. Choose life today.
Day 1: God Spoke and It Was
Reading: Genesis 1:1-3, 26-27
Devotional: In the very beginning, God demonstrated the ultimate power of spoken words. He didn't need to speak—He's God. He could have simply thought creation into existence. But He chose to speak: "Let there be light." Why? Because He was establishing a pattern for us, His image-bearers. When God created humanity in His image, He gave us this same creative power through our words. Your tongue may be small, but like the rudder of a great ship, it directs the course of your entire life. Today, pause and consider: What am I creating with my words? Am I speaking life or death? Remember, you're made in the image of the God who spoke worlds into existence. Your words matter more than you realize.
Reflection: What have you been speaking over your life that needs to change?
Day 2: Death and Life in the Tongue
Reading: Proverbs 18:21; James 3:2-6
Devotional: Scripture is clear: death and life are in the power of the tongue, and you will eat the fruit of what you speak. If you're constantly speaking defeat, don't be surprised when your life tastes like failure. Your words aren't just noise or venting—they're seeds being planted in the soil of your future. James compares the tongue to a bit in a horse's mouth and a ship's rudder. These tiny instruments control massive forces. You cannot control every storm that comes your way, but you can control your rudder. You can't change the wind, but you can adjust your words. Stop speaking what you fear and start declaring what God has promised. Your mouth is planting tomorrow's garden today.
Reflection: What negative patterns have you been watering with your words?
Day 3: Breaking Out of the Rut
Reading: Psalm 19:14; Romans 12:2
Devotional: Your brain forms grooves—literal pathways—based on what you repeatedly think and say. The more you rehearse a thought pattern, the deeper the rut becomes, and the easier it is to fall back into it. "I'm not good enough." "This always happens to me." "I'll never change." These aren't just harmless thoughts; they're ruts that keep you traveling the same destructive path. The enemy wants you stuck in that groove of least resistance. But God wants to renew your mind and give you new pathways. Today, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the ruts you're stuck in. Then make a conscious decision to jump out. Replace the lie with truth. It won't be easy—old grooves pull hard—but with God's help, you can create new patterns that lead to life.
Reflection: What specific lie do you need to replace with God's truth today?
Day 4: Speaking Life Into Others
Reading: Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:29
Devotional: A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. One harsh sentence can ruin a whole evening; one gentle word can stop a fight before it starts. Your words don't just affect you—they shape the atmosphere around you and impact everyone in your life. God calls us to speak words that build up, not tear down. Today's challenge is specific encouragement. Don't just say, "You're great." Say, "I appreciate how you stayed steady when things got stressful." Find something real and speak life into it. When you bless others with your words, you're creating an atmosphere of grace rather than criticism. You're becoming a light in a dark world. Remember: your tongue can be medicine or poison. Choose healing.
Reflection: Who needs you to speak specific, life-giving words to them today?
Day 5: Guarding Your Heart and Mouth
Reading: Psalm 141:3; Philippians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 10:5
Devotional: David prayed, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." This is a prayer of surrender—acknowledging that we need God's help to control our tongues. Some of us need to pray this before we even open our eyes in the morning. The battle begins in your thought life. What you meditate on in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth. That's why Paul tells us to take every thought captive and think on things that are true, noble, and praiseworthy. Don't just fast food—fast complaining. Stop rehearsing your problems and start addressing them as a problem-solver, not a murmurer. When you align with God before the day gets loud, you give Him control of your words, your thoughts, and ultimately your destiny.
Reflection: Will you commit to praying Psalm 141:3 every morning this week before you speak?
Final Challenge: Implement the 5-step action plan from this message. Remember: your mouth is not neutral. Your words are either building a landing strip for faith or constructing a cage of fear. Choose life today.
Joel Dupree
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