Word: God’s Word is Alive

“For the word of God is alive 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 NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

God’s Word is alive and active. Is it alive in you?

God has given us His Word to teach, guide, correct, train. Let’s spend time with God in His Word. God’s Word is alive and active, and will transform you in every way. Similar to the sin – guilt – confession vicious cycle, the Worship – Word – Walk can be a virtuous cycle that is a self-sustaining, self-improving feedback loop.

The main key is abiding. When I read the Bible but I’m not close to God, it usually feels dry and boring. Sometimes God will still speak to me through it, but in general reading it feels like a chore. A tithe of my time. A spiritual checkmark. But when I have just finished an amazing worship session where I feel so close to God, and can feel His love in my heart & soul, then reading His word is vibrant and exciting. (Of course not every verse: some of them are very dry and serve as good context or background for other sections.) But most of the Word is filled with verses that can teach me more about God, inspire me, challenge me, transform me. When the Holy Spirit is guiding me, the Word is so alive, it’s amazing. 

Another key is intentionality. If you’re a new Christian, should you start your journey by reading and memorizing the book of Numbers? I would recommend a different path. I think new Christians should start with the book of John, and then read through the New Testament and then the Old Testament. We should be regularly reading the entire Bible. God tells us to do so. Having a basic grasp of the whole Bible provides context when we encounter a difficult verse or one that might have several meanings. I try to make sure I read the entire Bible every year, but 2 or 3 times through the New Testament, and include some New Testament every day.

Another key, and something we should be doing frequently, is self-evaluation after reading. How has this passage changed me? If we find that we rarely change our behaviors after reading His word, then we need to confess that sin of pride, laziness, or apathy and let the Holy Spirit guide us. We are on a journey to become more & more Christ-like. As we draw closer to Him, and as we become more Christ-like, we will still continue to find areas of opportunity, or sins that have crept in that we thought had been defeated. Pride is a great example: it’s talked about frequently in the Bible because it’s so pervasive, and often rears up after successes in other areas.

Memorizing scripture helps us live for God. He tells us to do so because He knows the benefits. God has gifted us with different capabilities: some can memorize vast sections of scripture relatively easily while others struggle to hold onto a few verses. We should all try to store some of His words in our hearts and minds, because there are so many benefits:

God’s Word Fights Sin

Knowing what the Bible tells us, whether through memorization or familiarity, protect us from sin.

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 NIV)

God’s Word Guides Us

God’s word serves as a guide and a lamp to our feet, illuminating the path forward.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

God’s Word Nourishes Us

God’s word is fuel for our soul.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

God’s Word Equips Us for Difficulties

It helps us respond to challenges with appropriate biblical wisdom.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

God’s Word Transforms Our Thinking

Scripture memorization changes our mindset and transforms our entire way of thinking from worldly to heavenly.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

God’s Word Gives Comfort & Hope

Scripture provides hope in darkness, offers comfort in sadness, gives reassurance in difficult times.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. (Romans 15:4 NIV)

God’s Word Deepens Our Relationship With Him

Memorizing His words helps us know Him and love Him more.

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21 NIV)

God’s Word Strengthens Prayer

We gain a language for praising God and can pray more thoughtfully and meaningfully.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 NIV)

God’s Word Improves Our Witness

Memorized scripture sharpens our communication and makes our witness more effective.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” (Titus 1:9 NIV)

God’s Word Increases Our Understanding

The more we know, the more we can learn and understand God’s word as a whole.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16 NIV)

God’s Word Improves Our Interactions

Knowing His word helps us love & encourage one another.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, (Hebrews 10:24 NIV)

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2 NIV)

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash