# 15 The Word of God is living

15. Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.
 —Hebrews 4:12

Yes, this verse is a little longer and more complicated than some we’re learning, but it can be easily memorized by understanding its progression and by taking it one phrase at a time.
Context: Read through Hebrews 3:7-4:12, underlining every one of the twelve occurrences of the word “rest.” God wanted to give the Israelite's rest (abiding security and peace) in the promised land, but they didn’t trust Him. Their hearts were hardened in unbelief.

Likewise, God wants to give us abiding security and peace, both now (spiritually) and in heaven (eternally). But we must take Him seriously at His word, not spurning or doubting it. The writer says, “Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience. For the word of God is living and effective”
(Heb. 4:11-12).

Characteristics: The Word of God is:
 (1) living—not dead, archaic, or irrelevant; and it is
 (2) effective. The Greek word here is energēs, from which we get our word energy.
The Bible is high-voltage. It has the unlimited energy of God behind it and will not return to Him void (Isa. 55:11).

Cutting: The Word of God is a double-edged sword. Some commentators believe this image is based on the knives the Levitical priests used to cut through the deepest sections of the sacrificial animals. Wielded by our great high priest, God’s Word penetrates to the depths of our hearts and souls. No part of our personality is unaffected by Scripture as we hear and respond to it.

Criticizing: The Scriptures judge the thoughts and intents of the heart. The word judge is translated from the Greek word kririkos, from which we get our word critic. The Bible is the critic of the heart, pointing out weakness and showing us where to improve.
Don’t get discouraged memorizing this verse. Work on it a step at a time as it unfolds in logic and memory.

This is one of the great verses in God’s Word about God’s Word.

The Bible is like: a lamp to our feet (Ps. 119:105); bread for the soul (Matt. 4:4); a hammer that shatters the rock (Jer. 23:29); honey in the comb (Ps. 19:9-10); rain and snow that water the earth (Isa. 55:10-11); gold that enriches us (Ps. 19:9-10), fire that warms or burns us (Jer. 23:29); seed planted in the heart (Luke 8:11); water for washing (Eph. 5:26); a mirror for seeing and correcting ourselves (James 1:22-25); nourishing milk and meat for the soul (Heb. 5:12-13); and a double-edged sword (Heb. 4:12).

The Word of Christ proves itself to be the Word of God by its living energy and its penetrating power. —A. T. Pierson

 * 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart.