In Christian circles, we talk about “The Word” (the Bible) alot. Truthfully, I think we talk about it more than we read it and certainly much more than we actually apply it. We can all be guilty of that at times. I know I have been. But over the last year or two, more than at any other point in my relationship with God, the power of The Word has struck me in a profound way.
There are so many facets to it. It’s incredible.
Jesus is The Word with skin. He embodies the Word of God and personifies it. When He showed up on the scene, the Word became flesh and made itself at home with us. Because we have this flesh and blood representation of the Word, we are able to know what the Father is like (John 1:14).
The Bible is The Word on paper. It’s the heart of God written in a letter to us. It’s the place we can go to read up on who we are, who He is and how much He loves us. I don’t think we realize how blessed we are to have The Word right at our fingertips. We have Bibles collecting dust on the shelves. We have Bible apps connected right to our phones and tablets. We are able to google search scripture. It is readily available to us and we don’t realize how precious it really is. We don’t realize that in other parts of the world, people risk their lives just to carry a fraction of it. Some are tortured and even murdered if that sacred Word is even found to be in their possession.
Here are a just a few examples of the power the Word has in our lives.
1. The Word Sifts Our Motives and Our Thoughts
We are told in Hebrews 4:12 that the word “discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Humans are complex. Half the time I don’t even understand the things that I am thinking or feeling, but the Word provides us with a litmus test that allows to discern whether a particular thought or feeling is profitable or not. By the Word, we can tell…is this thing I’m believing a lie or the truth? Are my motives centered in bolstering my own reputation and serving my own agenda or are they rooted in a sincere desire to glorify God and to do His will?
2. It Equips Us
The Word equips us and trains us for every good thing that God has planned for us to do (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Word teaches us everything we need to know about the character of God that will help us to maintain our confidence and hopeful expectation when those rough patches hit. It has the ability to correct our wrong thinking and attitudes. As we study God’s Word, we begin to resemble Jesus more and more in our character and in our conduct.
3. It Reveals God to Ordinary Humans
This one is my personal favorite. Through the Word, an ordinary girl like me can begin to understand an infinite and omnipotent God. By His Word, the very God that created me has allowed me to see into His heart. Setting aside time to read the Word every day, has provoked in me a greater passion in my relationship with Christ than I ever had before. The more I learn about Him, the more I love Him and the more I love Him, the more I desire to serve Him with every fiber of my being.
Consider this for a moment. It says in Psalm 33:6, “By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth.” If the universe was spoken into existence by the Word of God, what is His word capable of creating in you? What is His Word capable of speaking into existence in your life?
