“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit, and of both joint and marrow [the deeper parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)
God purposed to leave us a manual to understand His spiritual Kingdom and how it functions. It reveals our history and is always relevant for the times we are living in, as Hebrews 13:8 states: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Our manual explains what to expect in the future and gives us the “what to do” and the “what not to do” in life.
The Bible explains the consequences of our choices that bring blessings or open doors for the enemy to attack. Only God the Creator can define sin and righteousness. In Jeremiah 18:6 (NLT), God gives the Prophet Jeremiah an example: “As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand.” The clay doesn’t get to dictate what it becomes or make up its own laws. The Potter is the Creator. He chooses what the clay becomes and what is best for His precious earthly vessel. The Creator only creates vessels of the greatest value. He knows that in the wrong hands, the vessels can be tampered with, or even destroyed.
The most important reason to read and know the Word of God is to have a deeper revelation of and relationship with the King, our Father. We are in a time where most don’t even believe He exists, or they don’t purpose to know Him and His Kingdom. Therefore, they are not applying His teachings to be free and thrive on His earth.
As we read in the introductory verse, God’s Word is living and active, full of power and sharper than any two-edged sword. Swords are used for battle. When Jesus was on the earth, He would use God’s Word on Satan. Jesus is our example to follow.
In Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT), Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to test and prepare Him for His ministry on earth. Jesus had gone without food for forty days and nights and was very hungry. Satan came to Jesus and said: “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” Jesus replied “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”’ (emphasis added).
Satan tested Jesus at least three times in the desert. The first temptation of turning the stones into bread was the test of the flesh. The lesson is to crucify the desires of the flesh, meaning master it so it doesn’t master us, and walk by the Spirit. The second, was the temptation of pride, to do a miracle independent of the Father’s will, to be god without God. The third time, Satan tempted Him with power and control. He offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he bowed down to worship him. Every test was a temptation to disbelieve God or be our own god. Yet each time, Jesus replied, “The Scripture says,” or in some translations, “It is written.” Satan uses the same temptations with us.
Jesus quoted God’s words as a weapon of truth against the devil’s temptations and deceptions. He replaced lies with truth! As John 8:31-32 (NLT) states, “Jesus said to the people that believed in Him, ‘you are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” If you don’t know God’s truth, you will fall into deception.
The Bible has a verse for every problem, temptation, or attack. Instead of going by our opinions, we should ask ourselves “What did God say?”, or “What is written in the Bible?”
We must take the time to read and research the Word. Our eternal destination is too important not to. Proverbs 25:2 (AMP) states that “it is the glory of kings to search out a matter.” The devil will always try to distract, giving us any reason not to read it. However, II Timothy 3:16 (NLT) states:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
James 1:21-25 says:
Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your soul. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves (emphasis added).
Without our physical health we can do nothing. The same goes for our spiritual health. Without our spiritual food, our spiritual and physical life can start deteriorating (depression, fear, stress, sickness, etc.). Reading and applying the most important manual we will ever touch can change our life for the better. It is God’s words to humanity. We can’t afford not to apply it!
Taken from my book “Life in God’s Kingdom, Manifesting Heaven on Earth”.
Be free in order to be mighty for Jesus!
In freedom and might,
Jeannette
Comments