Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV): 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. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
GOD's WORD is authoritative and powerful: FOOD for our spirits, INSTRUCTION for our lives, and STRENGTH in our struggles. In John 6:63, Jesus describes His words as “spirit” and “life”; they are active and life changing, not meaningless or void. They are eternal, and they transform our lives, translating us to God’s kingdom and guiding us to His purpose. Isaiah 55:11 reveals the perfect nature of GOD's WORD, declaring that “so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” GOD's WORD is truth, and confessed with our faith in JESUS CHRIST, it strengthens us, edifies others, and combats the enemy—our adversary—every imagination or high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Faith is our shield; GOD'sWORD is our weapon, the SWORD of the SPIRIT, and as children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, we are not defenseless, nor are we defeated. We are saved; we persevere; and we overcome, for our strength and victory come not through our own carnal intellect or our natural ability but through God, our Heavenly Father who loved us enough to sacrifice His only begotten Son, through Christ Jesus who redeems and empowers us, and through the Holy Spirit who anoints and guides us. As 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 affirms, “we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” We are blessed—consecrated (set apart)—and we enjoy God’s grace and mercy because we believe in and confess His Son Jesus, our Lord and Savior, the Living God, and the Living Word. He is our greatest gift, our greatest hope, and our greatest weapon, for JESUS is the LORD of ALL, the PRINCE of PEACE, the KING of KINGS: The Expression of GOD the Father, the Truth of the HOLY SPIRIT, the manifestation of GOD'sWORD—the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE--Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our Faith, and GOD'sWORD is the SWORD of the SPIRIT. So, let us read and study GOD's WORD faithfully, prayerfully and sincerely and wield this SWORD of the SPIRIT with POWER, AUTHORITY, and DOMINION.
