Hebrews 4:12 – For 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. NKJV
How did the week go? Did you print your free pdf of the verse of the week last week and look at it throughout the week? I want to change locations of my verse each week to see where I like it best. Would love your input if you have a great location!
This verse explains more of the why we need to know Scripture.
I think we first have to ask ourselves whether or not we believe that the Bible is completely God’s word in its entirety. I think it’s important to believe the Word 100% in regards to its authenticity of being God’s Word – otherwise what good is it? How would you know what is truth and what isn’t?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. NKJV
John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” NIV
Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” NKJV
We have to settle in and know that everything we read in the Bible is truth. Man’s interpretation or mere opinion needs to be held in the light of what is said in the Bible so we aren’t believing something that isn’t true. We can entertain theories when something isn’t clear cut – black and white – but recognize it as just that – a theory.
On a very serious level, Jenny and I want you to know that we understand how serious what we bring to you in regard to God and His word is. It’s a big responsibility and we are checking each other against the Word to make sure we are as accurate as humanly possible. When it’s our opinion we will say just that. We will say, “I speculate, I think, possibly….” You get the idea. We are going to straight to the Word of God and studying reputable sources as misleading you is the absolute last thing we want to do.
So do you believe it is all true? All of it? Do you believe that the Word is inspired by God? I love the emphasis on living and powerful being the first part of how the Word is described. But right after that it speaks to being sharper than a two-edged sword? That’s exactly what last week compared the Word of God to – Ephesians 6:17 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. There it is! The Word of God is a sword.
Now that we know the Word of God is a sword – alive, powerful and true how do we use it?
We have to know what the Bible says in order to fight our spiritual battles. Paul goes into detail on our fight in 2 Corinthians chapter 10. He mentions our weapons of warfare are to bring down strongholds and cast down arguments and every high thing that pushes against and exalts itself above God (v.4-5a). We are to bring our thoughts into captivity (v. 5b) to the obedience of Christ. So a sword or a weapon of some kind is what brings humans into captivity, which would lead us to glean that in the spiritual or mental realm we need our weapons to defeat the craziness going on in our minds.
How do we practically apply our verse this week? (Hebrews 4:12)
When I realize I am being attacked spiritually, is when I feel mentally defeated or I start getting exhausted trying to shake off negative feelings. As I have been working on this week’s content I have been overwhelmed with feelings of guilt about being unsure of how I have handled some personal relationships in the past few years and also feelings of – and I am going to be vain right now for all of you to hear – I have been struggling with having my picture taken for all of Jenny and my website and social media outlets. I feel enormous and not as attractive as I have before. I know where those thoughts come from, none of them are soft whispers of doing something or thinking something constructive or gently correcting. They are overwhelming blows to areas I am sensitive about. Once I get to the point that I realize it’s not just me beating myself up for the fun of it, but it’s actually the enemy of my soul trying to keep me down, I realize I have to fight back.
Then I fight with an anger in my sometimes verbal response if I happen to be alone so I don’t look completely schizophrenic and I let those negative thoughts know that they don’t have authority or privilege to continue to do what they are doing to me. Being God’s child is an absolute pre-requisite for fighting off our enemy and bursting through strong-holds.
For my body issues I can use Genesis 1:27 – So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. Where the words ‘mankind and them’ I can use ‘me’. 1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…. Replace the ‘you’ with ‘I’ and there’s another cut. I am a chosen person – God’s special possession so it doesn’t matter what I look like because I am a valuable human that God made in His image and for Himself. And there’s always what King David said – Psalm 139:13 – For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. I don’t even have to change words here. This verse alone can smash that negative body talk us ladies all get hit with all of the time. My worth is in Him not my physical body. Say those things to your body image demons – and there – I’ve pierced the darkness with my sword.
Hope this gives you some encouragement and maybe some new ideas on how to fight with the Word of God – our strong sword.
Write us, let us know what you might like to hear from us!
catherine@pursuingtruenorth.com
