“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
The Bible is not just a book. It is the Word of God that communicates the principles of God’s kingdom to those who are receptive to the Lord’s message. There are many scriptures that speak of the power of God’s Word and a couple of those verses refer to God’s Word as a sword. One of those references is our text for this devotion. There are many treasures of truth that are contained in Hebrews 4:12. God’s Word is living and active. There are multiple facets to those terms but essentially they indicate that God’s Word is living and is a source of life for those who consume it. His Word is also active and full of energy. It produces results in the lives of those who consistently read and study the Bible.
But our main focus for this devotion is the comparison to a two-edged sword. On the surface, we understand that a two-edged sword “cuts both ways” but there is more revelation waiting to be discovered under the surface. The word “double-edged” in this verse comes from the Greek word ‘distomos.’ This word has two definitions. It is translated as “double-edged” and “double-mouthed.” In ancient Greece, many times a double-edged sword was described as a “drinker of blood” that cuts both ways.
But I believe there is another reason the Holy Spirit chose this specific image to describe God’s Word. When God “speaks” His Word into our spirit—that Word has a sharp edge that can cut through the areas of our life and make a huge impact on us. But when we “speak” that same Word from God out of our own mouth—I believe it gains a second “edge” that can cut through our situation to bring God’s Word and His Will into reality in our circumstances! Two mouths—–two edges: the living Word spoken from God’s mouth into your spirit pierces through any barriers and inhabits the very center of your being. And when you actively “speak” that same living Word into your circumstances; it slices through the barriers that the enemy uses to try to hinder you from living out your divine destiny! We all need to consistently receive God’s Word into our spirit and speak that Word into our lives!
