I bet you did not know this, but we, as believers, have something available to us that is life-changing. We can’t live without it, although many neglect it. We can’t become the person we desire to be and can be unless we eat it, although many are starving for it. We can’t know our true purpose or be fulfilled unless we spend time with it, although many fill their lives with distractions and lesser things. As believers, we have something available to us which is supernatural, although many have not experienced its lasting effect and penetrating power. What is this life-changing, supernatural necessity for believers? It is the Word of God.
I have realized something life-giving. Life-giving as opposed to life-sucking. Can I say life-sucking? Honestly, so many things can and do suck the life out of you. We tend to seek the things which we believe give us vitality. Vitality means different things, such as “exuberant physical strength or mental vigor; the capacity for survival or the continuation of a meaningful or purposeful existence; or the power to live and grow” (Dictionary.com). Whether it be hobbies, careers, money, exercise, or botox, our search for vitality can be voracious. Vitality is not bad, but as believers, we experience vitality in a particular way.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
John 6:63 says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
I think for many of us, the idea of reading the Bible creates an image of struggle. Let’s be honest. Reading is something we can neglect and strive to avoid. Yet, the Scripture tells us that the word of God is alive and is life, and it must be read or heard to be known. Reading or hearing the word is the particular way we find vitality in our spiritual lives. Are you experiencing vitality spiritually? If not, one reason may be you are not “eating” the word of God.
I have learned something fascinating about the word “eat.” In Hebrew, it means “to consume.” Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your Name, O Lord God of Hosts.” Notice Jeremiah says he ate the word. The Greek word for “eat” has the “idea of chewing and cutting up into little pieces” (chaimbentorah.com). The Greek translation of the Old Testament verse Jeremiah 15:16 suggests that Jeremiah “received the words and ate them, that is, he consumed them and meditated on them until they became a part of his very soul or being. It is a figure of speech in the Hebrew language saying one would “study it, discuss it, and meditate on it until it became a very part of your soul” (chaimbentorah.com). You could say he “chewed” the word, “cutting” it “up into little pieces” as he studied it.
Are you experiencing spiritual vitality? If not, maybe you are not eating enough. Maybe you don’t realize what you are missing, like someone who won’t try new food because it does not look tasty or its texture is not appealing. What if I told you that you would NEVER experience spiritual vitality without a consistent diet of the word of God? Can I be honest? Neglecting the word because you don’t like to read is a result of one who is feeding on other lesser things.
A good understanding of the words living and active in Hebrews 4 can help us. Living means “alive.” Jesus compared God’s word to seed in Matthew 13:1-23. When this seed is scattered in the soil, it will have an effect. It will produce something. It will bear fruit. It is living, and once planted in the soil of a prepared and open heart, the word WILL bear fruit. It will make something happen.
Active means “energetic, effectual, powerful, at work, denotes action or active zeal, capable of producing an intended result.” Isaiah 55:11 says, “So will My word be which goes forth from my mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Read that again. God’s word will accomplish what He desires. It is effective. It produces an intended result.
Maybe we don’t spend time in the word because it is sharp, piercing, and penetrating, able to expose the thoughts and intentions of the heart. We fear its exposure and conviction. But remember, it gives life! The word reveals the true condition of our hearts, but when we obey it, it will effectually transform us.
We will only experience the effectual, penetrating, and transformational power of the word by studying it, talking about it, meditating on it, memorizing it, and, most importantly, obeying it. The word tells us that God is the One Who will cause us to will and act for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Think about that. God gives us His word, which changes us; by it, He causes us to want and do what pleases Him.
Why do we, as believers, think that we can be more like Christ on our own? Why do we strive to live the Christian life in our own power? We have something life-changing available to us through the power of the Spirit of God! Let’s no longer neglect the Scripture’s effective and penetrating power. We are already hungry for it. Let’s no longer feed on what will not truly satisfy. Let’s read the Word of God, eating it so that it will become our delight.
You will never know until you try it!