The Lord taught me a powerful principle about my words when He led me to the verse above recently. He showed me that I can bring myself "joy by the answer of [my] mouth" by answering negative thoughts with "a word spoken in due season." Let me explain.

When negative thoughts come into our minds as a result of our own toxic thinking - or the devil's temptations, accusations, or deceptions - we can respond by speaking out the Word of God that applies to our situation. Jesus demonstrated this principle beautifully when Satan came to tempt Him during His forty days in the desert. (See Matthew 4) Each time the devil challenged the Savior, He responded with, "It is written…" followed by an applicable Scripture. And you and I can do the same thing.

Suppose you need healing in your body. Satan will do his best to make you think things are worse than they really are. He will whisper in your ear, "You're not getting your healing this time." If you don't answer him with your mouth, his despicable lies will take root in your mind and heart, and they will keep you from receiving from God. But if you say, "It is written - with the stripes that wounded Jesus, I am healed and made whole!" the devil will have to slink away, his vile strategies having been neutralized. (Isaiah 53:5 AMP; Psalm 112:10 NLT)

If we fail to answer attacks on our minds with the Truth, we will lose our joy for sure. And not just our joy, but our peace, and eventually, our freedom. We must remain on the offensive, not just the defensive, at all times. Being passive can rob us of our God-given purpose and potential. On the other hand, speaking a word in due season to ourselves can keep us on track and ensure that we fulfill our God-given destiny.

The God's Word (GW) translation of Proverbs 15:23 says: "A person is delighted to hear an answer from his own mouth, and a timely word - oh, how good!" Let yourself hear your own mouth speaking out words of faith, and delight yourself and the Lord every time!

Prayer: Lord, please help me to spend consistent, undistracted time in Your Word, so that I can recall it when I need to, with the help of Your Holy Spirit. Don't allow me to take a passive stance toward negative thoughts and ideas that assail me. Guard me from toxic mindsets and emotions, and teach me how to use Your Word against them. Thank You that each time I speak a Word in due season to myself, Your supernatural joy will fill me to overflowing!