The inherent connection between your spirit, soul, and body, means what affects one, affects the other – both positively and negatively. To have a soul that is at peace begins with attending to spiritual matters. The Word of God is an integral part of the wellbeing of your soul. Hebrews 4:12 says,
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. (NLT)
This powerful verse reveals 5 key characteristics of God’s Word:
God’s Word is ALIVE. The Bible is often referred to as the Living Word. In The Parable of the Sower, Jesus likened the Word of God to a seed (see Luke 8). When you receive God’s Word it is like a seed… it doesn’t appear to have any life in it, but once it is sown into good soil, it has the potential to produce great things in your life. Planted in the fertile soil of your heart, God’s Word will reproduce the nature of Christ in you.
God’s Word is POWERFUL. Just as a great tree begins as a seed in the ground, God’s Word in you has creative and transforming power. As you feed on God’s Word, it will begin to transform you from the inside out.
God’s Word is SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD. Whatever affects you physically will also affect you emotionally and spiritually. For example, sickness or difficult circumstances impact how you feel, and negative emotions cause negative physical responses in your body; just as positive emotions do in a positive way (Prov 17:22). God’s Word can discern between your soul and spirit. Proverbs 3 says, “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do… he’s the one who will keep you on track” (MSG).
God’s Word DIVIDES BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT. It can be difficult to know the true motives of your heart. David knew this when he cried, “Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me” (Ps 139:23-24 NIV). The Word of God can penetrate with surgeon-like precision between your soul and spirit; it has the ability to pierce your life and expose the truth to unveil Christ within you in a way that nothing else can.
God’s Word EXPOSES OUR INNERMOST THOUGHTS AND HEART INTENT. Knowledge and understanding of yourself can involve painful confrontations with your weaknesses. But gaining knowledge of yourself in a way that aligns your life with God and the image of Christ in you brings true freedom and inner peace. Jeremiah said that the human heart is deceitful “above all things”, beyond our understanding. We need God’s Word and His help to uncover the hidden things that we are unaware of; things that threaten to limit or sabotage our lives. Remember, it is knowing the truth that sets you free.
Make David’s prayer your own:
Without this revelation-light, how would I ever detect the waywardness of my heart?
Lord, forgive my hidden flaws whenever you find them. Keep cleansing me, God, and keep me from my secret, selfish sins; may they never rule over me! For only then will I be free from fault and remain innocent of rebellion. So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, my only Redeemer, my Protector-God. – Psalm 19:12-14 (TPT)
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