Written vs. the Spoken Word

Ephesians 6:17 (NKJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

It doesn’t take very long when reading the Bible to realize that it is much harder to read and digest than any other book. It requires spiritual and mental effort, as well as physical stamina, to read and understand the truth contained in it. The reason? The Bible is the only book that is alive. The word of God is a living sword of truth. Every time we read the word it does surgery on our hearts and minds, discerning our thoughts, intentions, and motives.

Don’t be confused. The sword of the Spirit is not just the written word; it also applies to the spoken word. Without the spoken word, we will never get the specifics needed to wage victorious warfare. Look at what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy.

1 Timothy 1:18 (NKJV) This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

Paul instructs Timothy to pay close attention to the spoken words of prophecy made over him so that he may wage a good spiritual warfare.

The spoken word of God is just as valid as the written word. Yet, there are entire denominations that reject prophecies and claim that such gifts ceased in the time of the original apostles. Others argue that the written word is the only sure word. In Paul’s writings to the Thessalonians, he made this explicit statement.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NKJV) Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

I make this point, so we don’t get trapped into wrong thinking about our spiritual sword and limit ourselves in our ability and knowledge of how to use it. We must not take lightly the words that the Lord has spoken to us, whether it be the written word, a word spoken to us directly, or through prophecy from other saints.

The Bible describes the word of God as a living sword, but in other places, as a seed, a mirror, a light, water, food, a fire, and a hammer. Jesus Himself is called the Word.

The point is that the word of God contains anything and everything you need in any given situation. Let’s be diligent to read and study the written word daily so we can recognize and rightly judge the spoken word when we receive it.

Quoted from the book, The Spiritual Warfare Manifesto

Thank you for visiting truthpressure.com. I hope this has been a blessing to you.

What does it mean? Jesus is the WORD.

A “word” is a written or verbal expression of an idea that creates images in the minds of those that hear it. We use words to communicate with each other and share our ideas, feelings, thoughts, and intentions. Jesus is called the living Word because He is the expression of God, the communication of His thoughts, feelings, and intentions. A perfect representation of the Father’s mind toward us. Only through eating the bread from Heaven, The Word of Life, the written word, is the image of God restored to humanity.

          We are blessed in this generation to have the written word recorded and put into many easily accessible formats. The Greek word translated as “Word” in John 1:14 is “logos.” Logos is more than just the written word. It is the divine expression of God Himself, the communication of His nature and will. Above all other things expressed by words, the truth has the creative power to change the very nature of things exposed to it.

Everything in creation is subject to the truth of God’s word, and everything in creation must eventually align with that word or bow to it. We have yet to grasp the reality of just how powerful and significant the written word is.

          The Word was spoken, (Rhema) so it could be written. (Logos) I was written so it could be continually spoken.

          Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. The written word expresses God’s nature, will, thoughts, and desires for humanity. As our Creator, we should be very concerned about learning what He wants and how He thinks. We should hunger and thirst for ways to please Him.

The written word is here to test us, just like the manna from Heaven tested Israel to see if they would walk in obedience. God sees how much we love and respect His written word and how important His thoughts and desires are to us. Our relationship and perspective on the written word reveal how much we love and believe in Him. They are the same. Our love for God will never rise above our love for the Bible and all its precious treasures. It is the only book that is truly alive!

Hebrews 4:12(NKJV) 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.

Quoted from the book, The Spiritual Warfare Manifesto

Thank you for visiting truthpressure.com. I hope this has been a blessing to you.