Words as Propaganda
If the saints are often blind or indifferent to the significance of
words, Satan at least is not. It was with words that he procured the downfall of our first parents, and since then he has never ceased seeking to usurp the divine authority vested in words and to use these sacred instruments of God against God and against God’s
people and God’s purposes in the earth. In Revelation 16:13 we read of “three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth
of the false prophet.” The significant feature of the frog in Israel and adjoining countries is that it remains silent in the daytime, but keeps up a ceaseless, repetitive croaking during the hours of darkness. These frogs, therefore, typify as vividly as any image could that peculiar, distinctive feature of modern political methods
for which we have coined the word propaganda. It describes the ceaseless reiteration of those statements and theories that its authors desire to be believed, to the exclusion of all others.
words, Satan at least is not. It was with words that he procured the downfall of our first parents, and since then he has never ceased seeking to usurp the divine authority vested in words and to use these sacred instruments of God against God and against God’s
people and God’s purposes in the earth. In Revelation 16:13 we read of “three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth
of the false prophet.” The significant feature of the frog in Israel and adjoining countries is that it remains silent in the daytime, but keeps up a ceaseless, repetitive croaking during the hours of darkness. These frogs, therefore, typify as vividly as any image could that peculiar, distinctive feature of modern political methods
for which we have coined the word propaganda. It describes the ceaseless reiteration of those statements and theories that its authors desire to be believed, to the exclusion of all others.
It is this instrument of words, called propaganda, which “the rulers of the darkness of this world” have used to establish every one of the successive anti-Christian dictatorships that have marked the last hundred years of world history. Armaments, military power, secret police, all these have been subordinate to that one great verbal instrument—propaganda.
Although the forces behind such propaganda are spiritual, being
expressly called “unclean spirits,” it is—as always—through the lips of men that they must work. Therefore in Psalm 12:4 we read about men, “who have said, ‘With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?’” Such men do not know that Satan is lord over them, controlling their lips for his own purposes.
Again, in Psalm 73:8–9:
“They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak
loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue
walks through the earth.”
expressly called “unclean spirits,” it is—as always—through the lips of men that they must work. Therefore in Psalm 12:4 we read about men, “who have said, ‘With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?’” Such men do not know that Satan is lord over them, controlling their lips for his own purposes.
Again, in Psalm 73:8–9:
“They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak
loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue
walks through the earth.”
No modern writer has ever given in so few words so vivid and accurate a picture of present-day political aims and methods. In truth, the age-long conflict between the powers of light and the powers of darkness, both in the heavenlies and on earth, is coming to its climax in our generation; and the supreme instrument by which the issue is being decided is—words!
Nevertheless, it is not God’s will that His people should be ineffectual, or defeated. “Do you not know,” says Paul, “that the saints will judge the world?” (1 Corinthians 6:2). Again:
“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for
pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments [or imaginations] and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:4–5)
pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments [or imaginations] and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:4–5)
It will be seen that the warfare is not in the material or carnal realm, but in the realm of the thoughts and the imagination. And the supremely effective weapons which God has committed to us are—words!
Direct your Words
There are still the two main directions in which we may turn
our words: towards God on man’s behalf, in prayer; or towards man
on God’s behalf, in proclamation.
our words: towards God on man’s behalf, in prayer; or towards man
on God’s behalf, in proclamation.
The God-ward use of words in prayer is perhaps the greatest task
ever committed to man. So often in the past this mighty task has been left to a despised minority. One great purpose of the present outpouring of the Holy Spirit on every section of the church is to bring forth an army of intercessors, willing and able to press the prayer battle to the gates of Satan’s kingdom and to prove that
those gates cannot prevail against the Spirit-empowered, Spirit-directed words of a praying church.
ever committed to man. So often in the past this mighty task has been left to a despised minority. One great purpose of the present outpouring of the Holy Spirit on every section of the church is to bring forth an army of intercessors, willing and able to press the prayer battle to the gates of Satan’s kingdom and to prove that
those gates cannot prevail against the Spirit-empowered, Spirit-directed words of a praying church.
For the use of words man-ward in proclamation, the modern media
of mass communication—television, radio, print and the World Wide Web—have put at our disposal both means and opportunities that were never granted to any previous generation of Christians. In many cases hitherto, the representatives of Satan have shown greater vision and faith in availing themselves of these
media than the children of God. Yet the Bible tells us:
of mass communication—television, radio, print and the World Wide Web—have put at our disposal both means and opportunities that were never granted to any previous generation of Christians. In many cases hitherto, the representatives of Satan have shown greater vision and faith in availing themselves of these
media than the children of God. Yet the Bible tells us:
“All things are for your sakes”
(2 Corinthians 4:15).
(2 Corinthians 4:15).
It is time for Christians to repent of their lack of vision and faith, and then to wrest these media of mass communication from Satan’s grasp, and to use them for the proclamation and extension of God’s kingdom.Thus we shall fulfi ll the Scripture:
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony”
(Revelation 12:11).
Finally, remember that in this conflict there can be no neutrality. Jesus said:
“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad”
(Matthew 12:30).
Neither God nor Satan will accept compromise. Either we overcome, or we are overcome. Be tween these two there is no third course.
At the time of the reformation, Luther said: “It is more important to
preach the gospel than to live.” At a later crisis in European history, the English orator, Edmund Burke, said: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Both these statements apply with no less force today. Individually, and as
a body, we Christians confront the supreme crisis of human history.
preach the gospel than to live.” At a later crisis in European history, the English orator, Edmund Burke, said: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Both these statements apply with no less force today. Individually, and as
a body, we Christians confront the supreme crisis of human history.
On whose side are you and your words? Are you gathering with Christ? Or are you scattering?
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For further study, we recommend
Derek Prince’s CD: Use and Abuse of the Tongue
We are making this material available to you at no charge. Just use the enclosed reply slip to request your copy.Reproduction of articles from the DPM archive for free distribution is permitted. To receive regular teaching and encouragement by e-mail, subscribe at derekprince.org.
Derek Prince’s CD: Use and Abuse of the Tongue
We are making this material available to you at no charge. Just use the enclosed reply slip to request your copy.Reproduction of articles from the DPM archive for free distribution is permitted. To receive regular teaching and encouragement by e-mail, subscribe at derekprince.org.
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