IN describing its efficacy and potency, the Bible says in Hebrews 4:12, Amplified: “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energising, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analysing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” Its effectiveness is inexplicable.
There arises schisms when preachers, teachers, scholars and expositors present it or explain it and apply it. Naturally there are those in error and miscreants trying to deceive and dupe listeners and readers. We have already been told that the Word is powerful. Jesus was generally attacked by the preachers and scholars of His earthly ministry day because He sincerely and accurately presented the Scriptures. Matthew 22:29, tells us, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” This was a response to the Sadducees who held that there was no resurrection. Religious people and those in error are prepared to die for falsehoods mainly because it is a source of livelihood.
Space will not allow me to exhaust examples suffice to say that in the Book of Acts, Apostle Paul got into serious trouble after casting out a demon from a girl who brought earnings to her handlers. I quote Acts 16:16: “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:” Money and resources will never lack in the coffers of false prophets and teachers. They also have political and judiciary support. Acts 16:22, reads: “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.”
Never expect a smooth ride if you are genuine and meticulous in rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Apostle Paul tells his spiritual son and us in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Strive to be patient so that you will be accurate in handling Scriptures. Do not just listen to something that tinkles the ears and run with it. Calm down.
Whenever the truth and purity of the Gospel is presented, it often seems there’s a deliberate effort to attack the persons of heretics. But that’s not it. From what we read in Hebrews 4:12 above, the Word exposes for the purposes of correcting. It then appears as if we are fighting humans. That is too cheap a war for the cause of the Cross. It’s an unworthy premium. Ephesians 6:12 restraints us: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The Bible corrects wrong dogmas.
It, in fact, desires that preachers of falsehoods be saved and start preaching the truth. We are told by 1 Timothy 2:4: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” God wants everyone to be saved and to know the truth. We are however encouraged to stop mouths that deceive to protect the integrity of the Word. We’re advised in Titus 1:10-14: “[10] For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision: [11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. [12] One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. [13] This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; [14] Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”
God is love and in His love He desires that no one perishes. Jesus says in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Whenever the Word seems to correct you, do not start by spitting venom and firing vitriolic but rather calm down and let it speak because you may be corrected or edified. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
- The piercing sword of the Spirit
