The Power of God’s Word – Hebrews 4:12

How powerful are our words?

How many of you remember this rhyme from childhood?

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.”

Words have meaning! Words are very powerful!

In the book of Hebrews, we read of God’s powerful Word!

 It is a living and energetic word!

Hebrews 4:12 –

For the word of God is quick, and powerful

and sharper than any two-edged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In the New International Version it reads, “the word of God is alive and active” and in the Amplified Bible it reads, “operative and energizing“. The Word of God is alive and active, full of energy and is operative.

The words of God’s Word are powerful because they are “living words”; they are full of the life of God, they contain the very breath of God {II Timothy 3:16}.

They provide our spiritual nourishment.

Matthew 4:4 –

But he (Jesus) answered and said,

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God.

Just as we need food for physical nourishment and growth, likewise mankind needs spiritual food to enjoy a life that is rich with spiritual blessings. God has abundantly provided mankind with living words which are found in the Bible. Let’s look at a few verses of scripture that give us greater insight to the activating power of God’s Word.

James 1:21b –

…and receive with meekness the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

In the greek, the word used for “engrafted” means adapted for inward growth. God has given us the ability to grow spiritual, from the inside out by feeding on the words of His Word. Think of God’s Words as seeds full of potential growth! I like the Message Bible translation of this section.

…in simple humility, let our gardener, God

landscape you with the Word,

making a salvation-garden of your life.

God desires for our lives to be full and rich with His abundant love and goodness. He showers us daily with his blessings so that we can continue in our spiritual growth. The words of God’s Word provides the nourishment we need to bring salvation or wholeness to our lives in every category. Let’s look at another verse that describes the power of His Word.

I Timothy 4:15,16 –

Mediate upon these things; give thyself wholly

to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;

continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both

save thyself, and them that hear thee.

God’s Word is powerful and sharp. It’s full of energy and is active. A fuller understanding of “profiting” in the above scripture, means, a cutting down of impediments that are in one’s way, hence, progress or a going forward.

How cool is that?!

When we mediate upon the words of the Word of God, it brings us profit by cutting down anything that may inhibit our spiritual growth. God is good always! His Word reveals His love and goodness. Spend time reading God’s Word and mediating upon it, digest it so that you can be blessed and spiritual grow by its activating power.

Nourished by His Word,

Radiant Robin