There is nothing worse than a dull knife. Try cutting a tomato with a dull knife. What a mess. A sharp knife in your hand is a good thing. Today’s scripture is found in Hebrews.
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)-12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts, and intents of the heart.
The writer of Hebrews is talking about the rest that Christ brings. It is the rest of salvation by faith as opposed to striving by works. (Eph 2:8-9). It goes on to say in verse eleven of Hebrews 4:11 (NKJV) –11 Let us, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Their disobedience was unbelief, a hard heart. They refused to hear the Lord, their rest. ( Heb 12:25 ). What was it that would make a difference and redeem them? What was it that would change their hearts? The Word of God!
Let’s break this scripture down a little. God’s Word is living. It is alive. It is supernatural. John 6:63 (NKJV) -63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. The Bible tells us who the Word is. John 1:1-2 (NKJV) -1, In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. Who was with God? Jesus! God’s Word is God-breathed. It is divinely inspired. Jesus was the Word made flesh. He embodied the supernatural-inspired thoughts of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) –16 All Scripture ( The Word of God) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Do you want to be a complete and whole person? It is receiving Jesus the Word.
Let’s look at its attributes: Again it is supernatural, living and quickening with life. It is absolute and whole. Complete in every part. The Word of God is not deficient in any way. It is not lacking in any way. It is full of absolute truth and does not lie. For God cannot lie. It is a powerful– The Greek Word-energēs – active, operative:- effectual, powerful. The Word of God can change a hard, and stubborn heart. The Word of God has changed thousands of hearts for the better. The Word of God can break through the most stubborn resistance if received by faith. The Word of God is truly transforming. (Rom. 12:1-2) Look at Jeremiah 23:29 (NKJV) -29 “Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? The Word of God is a two-edged sword. It is a sharp cutting sword no matter how it swings. It is the sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17 (NKJV) –17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; The sword of the Spirit is not for buttering your slice of bread but for battle. A spiritual weapon to slice through depression, doubt, and unbelief. To slay unforgiveness and bitterness. To slay and conquer sickness, disease, and poverty. The Word of God can cut through the hearts of sinners and saints. ( Acts 5:33 ). It can demolish strongholds, thoughts, and imaginations in the hearts of people that are contrary to God’s Word. Whatever the need, God’s Word is sufficient for you. We just have to mix faith with it.
Hebrews 4:2 (NKJV)–2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
It is not just any natural sword it is the Sword of the Lord mighty in battle.
Revelation 19:15 (NKJV)–15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
The Sword in the mouth of Jesus was effective against the devil and his temptation in the wilderness. All Jesus had to say was, “It is Written.” and the devil departed. The Word of God is a piercing sword. It can divide. Divide what? That which is soulish and that which is spiritual. What is of God and what is not? What is a lie, carnal-flesh feelings, and emotions, and what is truly spiritual, godly, virtuous, and truthful? In our humanness, we don’t always know the difference between the two. God’s Word gives us knowledge, understanding, and discernment to see the difference. That we might act righteously. Why is this important? To live right, to make the right godly decisions. To discern and overcome the enemy who is against our lives.
The last part of the verse always challenged me. “Joints and marrow”. Joints and Marrow take on a special significance here, for joints are compared to the soul and marrow to the spirit. As you know, joints hinge bones together and enable the body to move. Remember, the soul hinges the body to the spirit. If the Lord prompts you in your spirit to go witness to a certain person, what gets the message to your body to get moving? The soul, the mind, the hinge! Next, marrow is compared to the spirit. The marrow in your bones produces the blood in your body and blood is life. Likewise, your everlasting life, the Spirit of Christ emanates from your spirit giving life to your mortal body. Just as your marrow continually produces new blood cells, your spirit continues to be renewed day by day. The Word of God gives spiritual movement and spiritual life.
John 6:63 (KJV)–63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV)–16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
Romans 8:11 (NKJV) -11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Next, this verse also calls the Word a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Your thoughts come from your soul, but your intentions come from your spirit. Thus, if the thoughts and intents are both of the heart, the soul and spirit must be parts of the heart. The heart is the combination of your soul and spirit. When the soul and spirit are in agreement according to God’s Word, there are positive results and forward motion. This is experiencing the Kingdom of God life, the abundant life that Jesus promised for us. Wrong thinking, wrong believing, and wrong speaking cause division in our hearts. We become double-minded. James 1:6-8 (NKJV) –6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. When the soul and the spirit are in alignment there is unity. When there is unity there is unhindered movement. There is spiritual power. There is freedom and liberty. We would call this a spirit-filled-controlled life. A life of bearing godly fruit and righteous behavior. We become salt and light in the world.
In our culture today there is so much misinformation, lies, and half-truths. The devil is the Father of lies-(John 8:44). The only way to discern and recognize the lies is through the Word of God. Absolute truth is found in Christ, the Word of God. Ephesians 4:21 (NKJV) -21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: John 17:17 (KJV)–17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The Word of God in the life of the believer is powerful. The devil doesn’t want you in the Word. He knows it is a game changer.
Mark 4:15 (NKJV)–15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Satan rather you live from a soul that is void of the Word of God. A soul that is barren and dry. God wants your soul to be a well-watered garden. A soul that is full of life and vibrancy. God’s Word will do that for you. The Word of God is your refuge, your fortress, and your hiding place. It is the secret, hidden place. Colossians 3:3 (NKJV) –3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. It is Jesus! You died to the old life, the old way of thinking. The Word of God is now a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path-(Psalm 119:105). You don’t have to walk in darkness anymore. God’s Word will lead you out of sin, give you hope, comfort your heart, and encourage you in the battles of life. Don’t be barren when it comes to God’s Word. Let it dwell in you richly. To love the Word of God is to love Jesus! Are you abiding in His Word? Thank God for His Word in your life today!
Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)-16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
John 8:31 (NKJV)–31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
In Christ’s love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
If this has been a blessing to you, please let us know and share it with a friend.