Verse 12: "For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-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."
There are 5 key things said about the Word of God in verse 12. We focus on the words: (1) "living"; (2) "effective"; (3) "sharper"; (4) "piercing"; and (5) "able to judge."
John 15:1-2: "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit" (NASB).
The instrument of the pruning process is the Word of God. The Word of God uncovers the restless heart. It wounds the sinner, condemns the hypocrite, and rebukes the saint.
To examine our hearts, listen to Schuyler English as he raises these questions about the Word: "...do you treasure it, and tremble at its mighty power and holiness? Does it comfort you? Does it rebuke you? Does it cleanse you? Does it guide you? Does it mould you? Does it master you? Does it thrill your soul and bring joy to your heart?" (Studies in the Epistle to the Hebrews, 125).
Let's reflect on the key characteristics of the Word of God in verse 12. "The word of God is": (1) "living." 1 Peter 1:23: "for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God" (NASB). (2) "effective." Acts 19:20: "So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing" (NASB). Acts 20:32: "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (NASB). (3) "sharper than any double-edged sword."
"For the word of God is": (1) "living"; (2) "effective"; (3) "sharper than any double-edged sword"; and (4) "piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow."
It goes down deep where no one else can go to handle the deep things of the heart and the personal motivations. "For the word of God is": (5) "able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Has the Word of God done its work recently in your heart? Have you laid on the table and allowed God the Father to use the surgical instruments to cut away those things in your life that are not pleasing to Him and that are hindering you from being all that the Lord wants you to be?
