The Living WordSample

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

How do we begin to unravel this powerful scripture? 

My prayer is that the eyes of our understanding will be enlightened. May the Holy Spirit unravel the deep mysteries in God’s Word to us, and may God’s Word becomes more precious to us daily.

Let’s examine each sentence or statement in Hebrews 4:12. Today, we will begin with the first. 

For the Word of God is Alive and Powerful!

Alive

The word alive also means breathing or living. Genesis 2:7 (KJV) says, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) also says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Every time I study and meditate on God’s Word, I know and believe my spirit receives God’s breathe of life and I become more aware of God’s ways. As the Word mixes with faith in my heart, I am empowered to do God’s will. 

By reason of the indwelling Word of God in us, when we speak and pray God’s Word concerning a situation, we are speaking life and bringing situations in alignment with God’s will as it was in the beginning. 

1 Corinthians 15:45 (KJV) says, “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit” and speaking of Jesus Christ, John 1:1(KJV) says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is the quickening spirit and the Word of God. When we spend time in the Word, we are spending time with Jesus. When we spend time with Jesus, our spirit is quickened. We come alive spiritually and receive spiritual strength. The Word gives life to our spirit and soul like food gives life to the body. Every time we eat to nourish our bodies, let’s think about the nourishment of our spirit.

Clearly, we are spiritually dead without God’s word, and we begin to die spiritually when we do not study God’s Word daily (James 1:21). Do you want to feel alive and live forever? Get in God’s Word and receive the breath of life daily. Do you want to speak life and give life to those around you? Eat the Word daily.

Powerful

Powerful also means full of power or authority. The word powerful attests to the influence and relevance of God’s Word across generations and in any given situation. The Bible is relevant, regardless of the phase of life or situation in which we find ourselves. We can always turn to God’s Word for guidance in parenting, marriage, academics, business, etc. As we apply God’s Word in different situations, the Word becomes an unstoppable force that changes or influences the outcome of events. The Word is God’s authorized weapon for making the impossible possible and establishing His will on earth.

One night, my preschooler was crying and screaming in his sleep. Attempts to comfort him failed. I did a little research, and experts used the word night terror to describe what he was experiencing. Immediately when I saw the words night terror, “thou shall not be afraid of the terror by night” (Psalm 91:5) came to mind. I prayed it over the little one, and he stopped crying. There have been many instances where the Holy Spirit would suddenly remind me of God’s Word, and I would use the Word to turn things around. 

The Bible is not just a book of principles. The Bible is a breathing book that gives life and power to those who treasure it.