SYMBOLS OF THE WORD OF GOD
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
QUICK - implies ability to respond rapidly
POWERFUL - having much power (ability to do, act or produce), strong, mighty, effective
SHARPER - piercingly
PIERCING - to penetrate (into or through something)
DISCERNER - to recognize; make out clearly; insight
12 SYMBOLS OF THE WORD OF GOD
1. A fire to refine
- Like a fire, a great purifier which destroys all that is false and leaves only the genuine.
- Jeremiah 23:29
- 29 [Is] not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer [that] breaketh the rock in pieces?
2. A hammer to convict
- Like a hammer which rouses & strengthens the life and conscience, crushing everything that is evil within the heart.
- Jeremiah 23:29
- 29 [Is] not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer [that] breaketh the rock in pieces?
3. A mirror to reflect
- James 1:22-25
- 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
- 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
- 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
- 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
- The Word - A Mirror
- He sees his blemishes and imperfections and is moved by what he sees. As long as he sees his deformities, spots, and ugliness he tries to do something about them. But on going away from the mirror he forgets and his imperfections no longer bother him. So it is with the Bible. As long as one studies it he sees himself as he really is and constantly seeks to improve himself and conforms to its teaching (v25). If he gets away from the Bible a man soon forgets the real picture of himself, what manner of man he is (v24).
4. Seed to multiply
- 1 Peter 1:23-25
- 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
- 24 ¶ For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
- 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
- Endure - to continue in existence; last; remain; hold up under any condition
- Endurance - the power of enduring; ability to stand
5. A laver to cleanse
- Ephesians 5:26-27
- 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
- 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
6. A lamp to guide
- Psalms 119:105
- 105 ¶ Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
7. Rain & snow to refine
- Isaiah 55:10-11
- 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
- 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
8. A sword to cut
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Ephesians 6:17 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
9. A bow for revenge
Habakkuk 3:9
9 Thy bow was made quite naked, [according] to the oaths of the tribes, [even thy] word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. The bow here is figurative of His Word. You need to read Hab. 3:3-15 (God's 30fold greatness).
10. Gold to enrich
Psalms 19:7-11
11. Power to create faith & eternal life
Romans 10:17
17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
12. Food to nourish
1. Milk for babes
1 Peter 2:2 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 2. Bread for the hungry Matthew 4:4 4 But he 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. 3. Meat for men Hebrews 5:11-14 11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 4. Honey for dessert Psalms 19:7-11 7 ¶ The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward.
There are no words that would explain to you what the Word of God means to me. Ever since I was 5 years old I was taught that you need to read the Bible every day. Even though I new this I was never faithful to do it. As I began to grow up I always had a love for the things of God. I never turned my back on God. But I was never able to live for Him like I should. I tried to live for Him but kept making mistakes. The more I tried to live for Him the worst things got in my life. Sometimes you can know what you are to do, but because of one thing or another you just don't do what you should. I thank God for my parents who never failed to pray for me. It was because of their prayers that the Holy Spirit wooed me and was able to bring me to a place where I was willing to commit my life to God. This was when I begin to realize that without the Word of God in my heart and in my mouth I would never be able to live successfully for the Lord. I knew what I had to do. So I started reading my Bible daily. What a difference it has made in my life. I now have the power to overcome. I have discovered that God's Word is true. God is faithful to His Word. I know that I can stand on the promises of His Word. That is why I have this burning desire in me to get the Word of God into His people. I know that without His Word in your heart you will never be able to overcome all of the wiles of the enemy of your soul. PLEASE, let me encourage you once again to READ YOUR BIBLE EVERY DAY. YOU MUST MAKE A DECISION TO DO THIS. IF YOU DON'T YOU WILL LIVE A DEFEATED LIFE. A LIFE VOID OF THE POWER OF GOD.
READ YOUR BIBLE
PRAY & OBEY
Jesus Loves You - Pass it On
Shirley Oliver