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The Sword of the Lord

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For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
(Hebrews 4:12-13)

God’s Word has diagnosed our illness with a surgeon’s precision. It has seen our hearts, and discerned that we are too ready to follow in the failure of the children of Israel, to give up belief. When the word of God exposes our weakness and unbelief like this, it demonstrates the inherent power, sharpness, and accuracy of the word of God. It bears constant reminding that as we submit ourselves to the word of God, we do it for far, far more than intellectual knowledge of the learning of facts. We do it for the ministry of the Word, because God meets us in His Word, and the Holy Spirit works powerfully through the word of God.

Here at the Blue Letter Bible, we care about the word of God—a lot. (You probably already knew that!) Hebrews 4:12-13 is one of my favorite passages about the word of God. And when observed under the light of other Scriptures, its piercing Biblical truths shine even brighter! Consider:

When the word of God is heard and understood, it bears fruit. (Matthew 13:23)

The word of God has inherent power and authority against demonic powers. (Luke 4:36)

Jesus Himself – His eternal person – is described as the Word. When we are into the Word of God, we are into Jesus. (John 1:1)

Hearing God’s Word is essential to eternal life – you cannot pass from death into life unless you have heard the Word of God. (John 5:24; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23)

Abiding – living in – God’s Word is evidence of true discipleship. (John 8:31)

God’s Word is the means to sanctification. (John 17:17)

God can do dramatic works with the Holy Spirit as His Word is being preached. (Acts 10:44)

Hearing God’s Word builds faith in us. (Romans 10:17)

Holding fast to the Word of God can give us present assurance of salvation. (1 Corinthians 15:2)

The faithful handling of the Word of God gives the ministers of the Word a clear conscience – they know that they have done all they can before God. (2 Corinthians 4:2; Philippians 2:16)

The Word of God is our sword of the Spirit – it is our equipment for spiritual battle, especially in the idea of an offensive weapon. (Ephesians 6:17)

Today’s blog installment was crafted using notes from David Guzik’s commentary on Hebrews 4. The Blue Letter Bible offers several great commentaries to aid your Bible study. Please consider joining us in our efforts to keep serving God’s people with great resources.

Comments

  2. Amen!!! The Sword of the Lord is His Word & Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God for my Lord & Saviour. I am grateful & thankful.

  4. That is a very good list. I want to print that one for my bulletin board, or stick it in my bible. 🙂

    Debi

  5. I have more than a commentary a request to BLB, I love your Web it’s a blessing for me and many in the Master’s Seminar. I just want to know, if you have it in SPANISH, I want to share it with other people who wants to read and search.
    Please, keep adding passages to search.
    The Lord Bless you!

  6. The Word of God reaches every boundry in life today. Our concious and unconcious minds preconceive notions that we know
    the answer to most anything set before us. Until God speaks to us in Spirit and Truth through His Word, most of our answers are self centered. If we would let the Word speak through us every day, be others’ centered, with forgiveness in our hearts, the effectual Word of God would prevail. More healing, more joy, more peace. Love in Chist, Bro H.

  9. The Word of God is the Key to Life, It Gives Us Power with the Gift with in you, Christ in You, Christ in You the hope of Glory.

    I Love this part of the Word of God, written to the faithful in Christ.

    The Faithful in Christ, did you know there are others that go with the “sword of the spirit”

    Ephesians 6 talks about being “STRONG IN THE LORD” and this is how.

    Ephesians 1:1 – 6:9 then 6:10 Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

    As students of the Word of God, we have to ask the question, HOW?

    Well first logically conclude chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6, then 6:10 is a summation or a conclusion verse for the whole book, and with others involved we have the “sword of the spirit”.

    The Armour of God (Stand therefore on these)

    1. Ephesians 6:14 Having your loins girt about with truth
    2. Ephesians 6:14 Having on the breastplate of righteoisness
    3. Ephesians 6:15 Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
    4. Ephesians 6:16 Taking the shield of faith ((wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked))
    5. Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation
    6. Ephesians 6:17 The sword of the spirit (which is the Word of God)

    Is that cool or what? How? With these 6 weapons, stand therefore stand.

    So the Word of God encourages us to put on the WHOLE ARMOUR of God and that’s all 6.

    One more, a HUGE understand about Ephesians, to understand Ephesians in a better way.

    Chapters 1 through 3 is the Doctrine side of Ephesians
    Chapters 4 through 6 is your practical side of Ephesians

    Read it now, and the Book will open up to ya and you’ll understand it more.

    God Bless again
    Your God’s wonderful students,
    Learn more who Christ is

    Christ in You
    Jim Schultz

  10. Christ Jesus is the Word(John 1:1). He may be heard in Scripture, however Scripture is not the Word. The author of Hebrews speaks of the Word as “living and active”, later stating it “judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”, not in reference to a future Canon, but as a clear reference to Christ Jesus.

    • Zach…good thought and I agree totally that Jesus is the living Word, but in context I think that the written word is what Hebrews 4 is talking about. Look at verse 2…”For indeed we have had the GOOD NEWS preached to us, just as they also, but the WORD they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. The whole context of Hebrews 4 is about us who have had the same word preached to us and whether or not we will enter the rest God has for us. The way we know or judge whether or not we are living for the Lord or for ourselves is by God’s word. It is living and it is our judge here on this earth. Once we die Jesus will be our living judge, both for believers (bema seat) and unbelievers (great white throne). I would think even then what he will use to judge us by will still be the written word. Just like a judge today does not make up laws, he simply declares people guilty or innocent by the laws that have already been written. God’s word will penetrate every area of our life for in it “we have everything pertaining to life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3) Those are just my thoughts…I could be wrong, but wanted to share. Have a blessed day!

      • “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.” While many hear His voice in Scripture, His voice is not limited to Scripture alone. The Gospel is not neccisarily a reference to Scripture as the Gospel is often spoken. Ultimately it matters not how or where we have heard His voice, it only matters that we hear. Who we hear is Christ Jesus.

        • The adjective to describe word, in the passage is “living”, not “written” as has been sugested.

  11. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction for training in righteousness. So that the man of God may be adequate equipped for every good work.2nd Timothy 3:16-17

  12. Isaiah 53:11 HE shall see of the travail of HIS soul and shall be satisfied by HIS KNOWLEDGE SHALL MY RIGHTEOUS SERVANT JUSTIFY many for HE shall bear their iniquities

    Isaiah 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children saith the LORD that take counsel but not of ME and that cover with a covering but not of MY spirit that they may add sin to sin

    John 12:48 He that rejecteth ME and receiveth not MY words hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day

    John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life

    John 12:49 For I have not spoken of MYSELF but the FATHER which sent ME HE gave a commandment what I should say and what I should speak

    John 12:50 And I know that HIS commandment is life everlasting whatsoever I speak therefore even as the FATHER said unto ME so I speak

    John 6:67 Then said JESUS unto the twelve will you also go away

    John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered HIM LORD to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life

    John 3:24 For HE whom GOD hath sent speaketh the words of GOD for GOD giveth not the spirit by measure unto HIM

    1 John 5:6 This is HE that came by water and blood even JESUS CHRIST not by water only but by water and blood and it is the spirit that beareth witness because the spirit is truth

    John 14:6 Jesus sayeth unto him I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh unto the FATHER but by me

    LOVING THE LORD JESUS

  13. As a avid studier doer of the Word, the the Holy Spirit becomes so tangiable, as my Head Master, opens the word, applies it to my daily life. Its amazeing it is alive and sharper than any two edged sword. I read it thr 12 times a year, short verision 5 psalms, 1 proverb, and 15 pages or so of New Testiment. The psalms taught worshipping/warrior, proverbs turn back or sin,self,satan.

  14. the Word of God transfomes from carnal to spirital. Jesus as to show the way. He came as a Spirit in a body to show us the way. We to a spirit in a body, but it was dead in transpass and sin, at the new birth our spirit made alive. Jesus teaches us to live like He did a spirit in a body. Having access to Heaven and thats needed on survival on Earth until the day we are transformed back to our original state. Onward Christian we win we have the Hosts of Heaven. Father,Son, Holy Spirit.

  15. As a avid studier doer of the Word, the the Holy Spirit becomes so tangiable, as my Head Master, opens the word, applies it to my daily life. Its amazeing it is alive and sharper than any two edged sword. I read it thr 12 times a year, short verision 5 psalms, 1 proverb, and 15 pages or so of New Testiment. The psalms taught worshipping/warrior, proverbs turn back or sin,self,satan. I read complete Bible Gen. to Rev. Month of Oct.

  17. Great Rhema word about the logos Word! Too often I rely on my intellect when debating non-believers. I should have learned by now that the Sword of the Spirit, i.e., just speaking the Word is a much more effective weapon – one that pierces to the soul and spirit – that non-believers might truly hear and be saved. Thanks.

  18. “….and the Word became flesh and dwelt amoung us…..”
    “…Now faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God..”
    “…the entrance of your Word bringeth forth Light….”
    “Thy words were found and I did eat them, and they were unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart”
    “you are living epistles know and read of all men”
    “walk in the Light as He is in the light”

  19. Consider this. At the top of the Blue Letter Bible home page is a picture of God’s Word highlighted. That Scripture is Psalm 138:2. The highlighted phrase is “Thou hast magnified Thy word above Thy name.” KJV. The NASV states, “according to all Thy name.” with a margin note of the variable usage of “together with” (Thy name). God’s name encompasses all that He is: His power, authority, holiness, knowledge, etc. Yet, the Holy Spirit inspired David to write the fact that God honors His Word above His own name. For your own good, please meditate on these facts. II Cor. 13:14.

  20. John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing as I hear I judge and MY judgement is just because I seek not mine own will but the will of the FATHER which hath sent ME

    2 Samuel 23:2 The spirit of the LORD spake by me and His word was in my tongue

    2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then that wicked be revealed whom the LORD shall consume with the spirit of HIS mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of HIS coming

    Revelation 1:16 And HE had in HIS right hand seven stars and out of HIS mouth went a sharp two edged sword and HIS countenance was as the sun shineth in HIS strength

    Revelation 2:16 Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of MY mouth

    Revelation 19:15 And out of HIS mouth goeth a sharp sword that with it HE should smite the nations and HE shall rule them with a rod of iron and HE treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of ALMIGHTY GOD

    Revelation 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of HIM that sat upon the horse which sword proceeded out of HIS mouth and all the fowls were filled with thier flesh

    2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strongholds

    2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of GOD and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of CHRIST