When The Word Cuts Deep
The fourth devotion on a series on proclaiming the whole counsel of God. Introduction
What causes you to say, "Wow, that's powerful?"
Our world is full of powers. I think of the financial power of Elon Musk, who owns a handful of groundbreaking companies, like Tesla and SpaceX. Then there is the athletic power of the Penrith Panthers, who have gone down in history as one of the first modern NRL teams to accomplish a four-peat. I also think of one Saturday morning when I was 24. I was knocked off the break-wall rocks while fishing at Pilate Beach on the Mid-North Coast. Instantly, I lost my footing as the raw power of nature smashed me. But while these powers do leave a mighty impact, they are nothing compared to the power of God's Word.
Recap:
Over the past few weeks, we have done a mini-study titled "The Whole Counsel of God." We have explored three challenges so far:
1. The challenge of not taking the Word for granted (Amos 8:11-12);
2. The challenge of proclaiming every part of the Word (Acts 20:27);
3. The challenge of teaching the Word with precision (2 Timothy 2:15).
Today, I plan to wrap up the series with one final challenge:
4. The challenge is relying on the power of the Word (Hebrews 4:12).
Hebrews 4:12:
"For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
What does this verse teach us about the power of the Word?
Let me share three things:
The Word is Alive
First, the Word of God is alive—"living and active" (Heb. 4:12a). How can speech be living? Remember, the Word of God is not a force nor an energy; the Word of God is personal. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Word of God is "living", for it moves, exists, and has its being from within the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity.
Even though we might read these words on ordinary paper, "it is no empty word for you, but your very life" (Deut. 32:47). The Word is a living organism that sustains us into eternity. When we hear it, read it, mark it, learn it, and inwardly digest it, we tap into the very life-being of Christ Jesus. If we abide in Jesus, and his words abide in us, his Word—his divine life—will be "living and active" in us, producing fruit (Jn. 15:7-8).
The Word of God is powerful because it is alive.
The Word is Sharp
Second, the Word of God is sharp—"sharper than any two-edged sword" (Heb. 4:12b). Throughout the book of Revelation, the mouth of Jesus Christ is referred to as a sharp sword:
"Out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword" (Rev. 1:16).
"Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth" (Rev. 2:16).
"Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword to strike down the nations" (Rev. 19:15).
This brings us to a strange paradox. The Word is not only the source of life (P1); it is also the source of judgement (P2). We see this truth in Acts 2. At the end of Peter's speech, the Word he preached cut them deep (Acts 2:37). It pierced his listeners, bringing judgment. Their sins were exposed. They realised they murdered the Messiah. But since the Word had a double edge, it also led them to repentance—to brand-new life in Christ (Acts 2:38-41). Three thousand repented that day.
The Word of God is powerful because it pierces. It cuts deep "to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow" to uncover our sins and draw us to Christ (Heb. 4:12c).
The Word Discerns
Third, the Word of God discerns—it discerns "the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb. 4:12d). The word "discerning" refers to the "power to judge" (Paul Ellingworth). The Word has the power to penetrate our innermost being. It not only reveals surface-level issues; it reveals the idols and sins that drive our actions—whether that be pride, addictions, or doubts. The Word of God discerns.
Think of it this way. Imagine you are undergoing open heart surgery. The surgeon of our heart (God) takes his medical blade (the Word). The Word of God acts like a spiritual knife, cutting deep into the source of spiritual sickness within us. Like a surgeon who seeks to identify heart issues—if that be a blocked artery or a damaged valve—the Word of God exposes our root spiritual problems.
The Word of God is powerful because it discerns. While at first painful, the Word reveals our heart health so that we can become more like Jesus.
Conclusion
A Bible ministry is a powerful ministry. Be brave soldiers. Proclaim the whole counsel of God. Rely on the power of the Word. It is alive. It is sharp. It cuts deep. Carry the weapon with confidence, for through it, God not only saves teens but transforms them. Amen.