The Light of God’s Word

Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of Your word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple.” The AMP says, “The entrance of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.” Note, it is the “entrance” of God’s Word that illuminates your mind. The light only gets switched on when you receive the word in your heart.

This is in line with Matthew 13:23, “But the one who received the seed (God’s word) that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” God’s Word cannot be fruitful until it ‘s light is allowed to penetrate even the most hidden parts of your nature. When received, it has the ability to judge and expose your very motives and thoughts.

Hebrews 4:12, “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 (the 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.” The light of God’s word is so powerful that it can also act as a laser - penetrating, dividing and piercing through the two invisible, nonmaterial parts of you (the soul and spirit).

The Greek word used for soul is ‘psuche’, which literally means animal soul. This is the sensual or carnal part of man that deals with the five senses - sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. The very things animals respond to. Therefore, if one is governed by his five senses then he is driven by the same forces that drive animals. A carnal person is someone who ‘takes in’ information through the five senses and then makes his decisions based on this intelligence. His spirit is not engaged, and therefore, he is unable to understand the things of God.

According to the Greek word ‘pneuma’, the spirit is like the wind - invisible, immaterial and powerful. But it implies immortality. Therefore, the entrance of God’s Word divides the soul (the animal) from the spirit (the immortal). And besides penetrating and piercing through these invisible parts of man, the word judges the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

The moment God’s word enters, it’s powerful light starts to work inside you, affecting the various members of your being. Transforming your soul and illuminating your mind - so that you live a godly life and become more like Jesus. However, this process of renewal is completely dependent on you having first received the Word of God. Here are some of the things that God’s word (when received) will accomplish:

* It will bring peace and understanding. If you are confused, then you’ve not allowed the light of God’s word to enter your heart. Jesus (the Living Word) said, “I am the light of the world.”

* It will deliver you and set you free. If you are in bondage to anything, then you’ve probably chosen not to hear or obey what God has already spoken. Jesus came to set the captives free.

* It will heal your body. If you have sickness in your body, maybe you have not truly received the word that was sent to heal you (Psalm 107:20). And not only was the Living Word sent to heal you, by His stripes you are healed.

* It will get your prayers answered. If your prayers are not being answered, it may be that the word is not alive and active in your heart. Jesus said, “If My words abide in you, you may ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you.”

* It will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. If you feeling sinful, guilty and unworthy, you have not allowed yourself to be cleansed by being washed with the water of God’s word.

* It will overcome the devil and all satanic forces. If you are struggling to get the victory in your life, then you are not using the sword of the Spirit effectively. And remember, Christ’s name “is the word of God.” So use it to best effect in spiritual warfare.

* It will save you. If you are not rescued on an ongoing basis, then you have not received the power of God for your salvation.

"Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” If we believe what Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, then feeding on God’s word is a matter of life and death. This is confirmed in Hosea 4:6, “My people perish (or are destroyed) for lack of knowledge.”

Receiving a healthy measure of God’s word daily will keep you strong and prosper you in all matters of life. So remember, the word of God is never void of power!

Chris Demetriou, 14/09/2008