GOD PROMISES HIS WORD IS POWERFUL
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
When I was 10, I head the plan of salvation and turned my life over to God. Immediately I had a strong desire to know and follow His Word. A love for the Bible has been with me my whole life. It’s not just a book, it’s the living, life-changing Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 explains how this is so. The passage lists 3 descriptions and 2 result from God’s Word. First the descriptions:
Description 1. The Word of God is living. It isn’t a dead book with words that just sit on the paper. It is full of life. It contains life and shows the way to eternal life, but it itself is alive as well. It has to be, to produce life. The Bible is the word of life. Jesus Himself is identified as the Living Word in John 1:1-14. His life shows God’s Word in action. Jesus and the Bible both reveal God’s truth, His living Word.
Description 2. The Word of God is active. Not only is it alive, but it is moving and working. It changes the heart and lives of those who read it and let it come alive in them. It convicts, encourages, teaches, comforts, guides and much more. It works in the lives of unbelievers as well – that’s why so many do all they can to silence it by rejecting its truthfulness. The Word of God accomplishes God’s purposes (Palm 19:7-11; 107:20; 147:15, 18; Isaiah 40:8; 55:11; Galatians 3:8; Ephesians 5:26; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23),
Description 3. The Word of God I sharper than any double-edged sword. It is precise and effective, like a fine surgeon’s scalpel in a skilled hand. It cuts right to the heart of the matter in our heart and conscience. It convicts of sin, shows wrong motives and removes anything ungodly or sinful. Paul uses the same word picture for the Bible calling it the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17.
Having said what the Word of God is, we now see what it does.
Effect 1. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. Because it is very sharp and is controlled by the skillful hand of God Himself, it penetrates beyond our defenses, hardness, excuses and any walls we put up to block God out. It penetrates our deepest most innermost being, the totality and depth of our existence. When involved in spiritual warfare, use this sword by quoting Scripture. God will take those words and drive them home where they need to go. It may be to show truth to demons so they will fall back. It could be to convict someone of their need of Jesus, or to bring a sinning believer back to God. Use His Word. Pray it, quote it, think it, be immersed in it (Palm 119:9,11). That’s why memorizing it is so important. It’s the only way you’ll always have it with you and available for the Spirit to bring to the forefront of your mind to use at the proper times.
Effect 2. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. God alone can rightly weigh the thoughts and intentions of our heart. We can fool everyone else, even ourselves, but God knows and will use His Word to convict us of His truth. We cannot impress or fool Him. He sees right through hypocrisy and pretense, and His Word slashes through us to show us our sin. That doesn’t mean people will respond with confession and change when convicted. Many times, anger flares up, excuses are made, others are blamed or any number of things are done to avoid facing the inner conviction His Spirit brings.
In spiritual warfare, quote God’s Word to have living power which penetrates. Our words are flat and dead, but God’s Word is alive and active and has power over Satan, sin and demon. It alone gets to the root of the issue, to close openings and defeat strongholds. It is a great privilege and awesome responsibility we have in being given God’s Word to handle and use. Wield your sword with skill and precision. Use it well. It is the difference between victory and defeat.
This is a verse all Christian should know and use. I you haven’t already memorized it, do so this week. God’s Spirit will bring it to mind when you need it and help you apply it most effectively.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
Copyright © 2021
I have posted almost 40 blogs about God’s Promises to us today in my India and Spiritual Warfare blogs. If you would like a PDF document containing all of them, email me and I will send it. Jerry@Schmoyer.net