…take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
…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 joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Eph. 6:17 & Heb. 4:12
Nothing in life is more powerful than the specific words of God.
“Such exaggeration!” One might think. Yet consider–the greatest weaponry can kill many, sending the unsaved to hell itself. But the words of God can impart eternal life and bring one to Heaven.
Gossip, lies, and slander do great damage. True, but the truths of God are more powerful than the lie and the liar–in fact, God’s truths are able to transform the liar. God’s Word has been noted to transform whole societies and cultures. Nothing in all of life is more powerful than the words of God.
The words of God are compelling. They have a way of getting a hold on us and moving us. Consider from Calvin,
This power which is peculiar to Scripture is clear from the fact that of human writing, however artfully polished, there is none capable of affecting us at all comparably.Read Demosthenes, Cicero, Plato, Aristotle or others of that tribe. They will, I admit, allure, delight, move and enrapture you in a wonderful measure. But betake yourself from them to this sacred reading. Then, in spite of yourself, so deeply will it affect you, so penetrate your heart, so fix itself in your very marrow, that compared with its deep impression, such vigor as orators and philosophers have will nearly vanish. Consequently, it is easy to see that the Scripture, which so far surpasses all gifts and graces of the human endeavor breathe something divine.
God’s words are also consoling. There are great difficulties in life–sickness, loss, confusion and death. The world has its words of comfort:“Hang in there,” “There will be a silver lining,” “Things will get better”… all mean well, but really have zero help. Where does a person go to find comfort in time of need? James Boice said it this way:
There is no comfort like that of reading or hearing the very words of God. To hear such words is to hear God Himself, and it is God who ministers to the suffering soul through them.
He reflects:
“I have seen many swords in scores of museums. I have seen swords of beauty and importance, owned by kings and warriors. I have enjoyed looking at them. Never have they done me one bit of good, nor will they. They are not mine. I cannot hold them. In cases they are locked, and there they remain. For a sword to do me any good, I must take it and use it. So also with the words of God. They are wonderful words, but to be useful to you they must become yours. Only the words that we know will be useful to us.
Armor-up & Maranatha!