“All scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)”

God has given us a great gift in His Word.  It contains everything that we need to fulfill all that God has purposed for us to do.  Not only is every word of the Bible true, but every word is also filled with God’s own power and authority.  God’s very words are creative in nature.  They have a destiny; they fulfill His intended purpose.  Hebrews 11:3 tells us that “the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”  His words (invisible) spoke creation (visible) into being, how much more can we expect them to do in us?

For starters, the words of the Bible have the power to cleanse and sanctify us (set us apart for God).  “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (John 15:3 NKJV)”, “Sanctify them by your truth.  Your word is truth.” (John 17:17 NKJV).  Hebrews 4:12 says the word contains the power to discern the condition of our heart and its intentions: “For 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 of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  I recall a comment from the late Derek Prince regarding the Word saying, “Little do you know that when you read your Bible, your Bible is reading you.”  Galatians 5:17 says that our flesh is at enmity with the Spirit.  The Word of God acts as a judge, helping to sort out what is worldly and what is Spirit in us.  The Word and Spirit work hand in hand.  The Spirit can’t use the Word of God in us if the Word of God isn’t in us. 

That brings us to our next point, that the Word of God gives us power and wisdom to overcome evil.  “And take the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NKJV).  Paul compares the Word of God to a sword, and this is the only weapon in our spiritual armor that we are given to fight with.  The word Paul is using here is the Greek word rhēma which pertains to a saying or command with special application to a situation.  The Word of God in its entirety is our arsenal from which we can select a rhēma word (sword) to fight with in our spiritual battles.  We can see what this looks like from reading about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-13.  “But Jesus answered him by saying, ‘it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God’” (verse 4 NKJV).  “And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Get behind me Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” (verse 8 NKJV).  “And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘It has been said, You shall not tempt the LORD your God’” (verse 12 NKJV).  Jesus was quoting scriptures from Deuteronomy 8:3, Deuteronomy 6:13, and Deuteronomy 6:16, respectively. 

Let’s think about this for a moment.  Jesus, being fully God, being the Word that was with God in the beginning bringing forth all of creation, could have called down a legion of angles to battle with Satan.  He could have commanded the stones to turn into bread to prove his deity.  He could have crushed the head of Satan right then and there if He wanted to.  But He allowed the Spirit to search within him and find the best sword for this battle.  Had Jesus acted in his own self interest he would have failed this test by giving in to temptation.  But he knew that His Father had a plan and would exalt him at the proper time.  And this was not the proper time.  And so, by the Word of God, he overcame temptation.  Jesus knew the power that was contained in scripture.  In the Old Testament, the Israelites’ instrument of warfare was a sword.  Today, our instrument of warfare is the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.  And one day Jesus will judge all of humanity with a two-edged sword that proceeds from his mouth, which is the Word of God. (Revelation 1:16).

Proverbs 4:20-22 tells us to give attention to God’s words and incline our ear to his sayings, “Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” (NKJV).  Life, healing, and deliverance are provided in the Word of God.  Psalm 107:20: “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (NKJV).  Psalm 119:11 says if we hide His Word in our hearts it can keep us from sinning against Him.  Job treasured the words of His mouth more than his necessary food (Job 23:1-2).  When we are lost and confused Psalm 119:130 says that His Word gives us light and brings understanding to the simple.  His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). 

Everything we need can be provided by the Word of God.  According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it is perfect doctrine, which I am thankful for because it is very easy to get confused by conflicting teachings of the Word.  David tells us that God’s Word is settled in heaven forever (Psalm 119:89) and the entirety of it is truth (Psalm 119:160).  2 Timothy 3:16-17 also says that the Word of God has the capability to bring reproof (rebuke), correction and instruction to living in righteousness.  If we will allow it to transform us it will make us complete and fully equipped for every good work.  The Word of God will do this for us.  It will teach us, counsel us, instruct us, transform us, edify us, strengthen us, nourish us, direct us…do we ever really grasp the power that is contained within our Bibles?   

I’m a visual person, I tend to understand things better with imagery.  Fortunately, God lays things out for me in dreams that help me to understand, and He did such regarding the power of the His Word.  In this dream I saw two eagles that came and perched themselves on a mountain top.  They were huge, very bold, and very beautiful.  As they got situated on the mountain top, they began to speak scripture.  I didn’t hear what they said, but I saw the breath of their words come out of their mouths.  And when that happened angles came from behind them and pushed the breath forward.  I have often heard it said that angels are ready and waiting to perform the Word of the Lord if we would only speak it.  A few days later I woke up and God spoke very clearly to me saying, “I gave you everything in my Word.  All you have to do is read it, believe it, speak it, live it.”  Then I thought of Jesus, “I only say what I hear my Father saying and I only do what I see my Father doing.”  What a clear picture to me that was, that speaking God’s Word is far more powerful than speaking my opinion or my feelings in any given matter.  And if I am willing to use it, His Word will work on my behalf and it will do exactly what He has sent it to do for me.