The Power of the Word

November 21 The Power of the Word
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. —Hebrews 4: 12
Up until the Romans developed the two-edged sword, they had fought all their battles with a single-edged sword. Two edges enabled them to swing both ways and cut from both directions. With this secret weapon, the Roman legions were able to conquer the world.
**It is through the Word of God that I gain truth about God—and about myself.
The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword, sharp enough to cut between the soul and the spirit. Man is a three-fold being—body, soul and spirit—yet we are so integrated that it is next to impossible to thoroughly separate the three. Many people go to church and have a highly emotional experience, but it doesn’t touch their spirit, and they leave unchanged. Experience doesn’t change a man nor does it minister to his spirit. It takes the Word of God to do that.
The Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. So often we ourselves don’t know our own heart. Why did I do that? What were my real intentions? Motives are often disguised. What may appear to be a wonderful gesture may have an improper motive behind it—the motive of self-glory or recognition. That is why the Word of God is so important to us, because it reveals the true motives of our hearts.
Father, we thank You for Your Word. Give us a hunger to read it and meditate upon it. Amen.