Weekend Wisdom
May 28– May 29, 2022
Pointed Attack
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
I’ve never been in a sword fight and I don’t expect to be. But if I ever were, I’d want my sword to be the sharpest one in the match, wouldn’t you? I mean, swords in battle are meant to be sharp. That’s basically the whole “point,” right? It’s also why this biblical “two-edged sword” metaphor works as well as it does, because God’s Word is so sharp that it never fails to cut to the heart of the matter.
You’ve probably noticed that. Haven’t you had one of those experiences--whether you were sitting in a small group Bible study, or hearing the Scripture taught in a public setting--where you wondered how the messenger knew exactly what was going on in your life? But here’s the reality: they didn’t know. That’s the living, active Word of God in operation, “piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow”--a physical analogy that illustrates a spiritual truth.
And here’s why this quality of the Bible is so absolutely vital in our lives.
Most of us are dealing with fruit problems rather than root problems. We don’t like digging deep down inside, where the real sources of our problems lie--exposing our true selves, being convicted of sin, receiving what’s truly needed to motivate us to change. So without the Word in action, we’re left managing life unproductively on a fruit level instead of more effectively on a root level. And as long as we stay there on the surface, avoiding the “sword,” it just means another failing crop will always grow up to replace the one we picked off.
Take substance abuse, for example, or any addictive behavior. That’s a fruit problem. The root problem is the emptiness that’s inevitably created by attempting to live without God at the center. Only the truth of God’s Word can help expose that.
Or consider poor financial habits, such as maxed-out credit cards. That’s a fruit problem. The root problem is idolatry, thinking that something material or experiential can satisfy you in a way that only a surrendered life to the Lord actually can.
Think about conflict, whether in your marriage, your workplace, or anywhere else. That’s a fruit problem. The root problem may reside in any number of underlying areas, such as anger, hurt, selfishness, bitterness, pride, unforgiveness, rebellion, etc.
See the difference?
If you wonder why you keep going round and round with the same struggles but rarely see any lasting change--if you wonder why you keep having the same frustrating conversations with the same people, over and over--the reason could come from the difference between fruit and root. But the answer comes from embracing your need for the Word--“living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword”--penetrating deeply enough inside until corrupted roots can be pulled up and replanted, and a steady crop of new fruit can be produced.
Take up this gift of the Sword, and let it do its powerful work in you.
Points to ponder…
- When was the last time you felt the work of the Sword, and how did you follow up on it?
- Think of one new way you can engage with the Word beyond what you’re already doing. Write it down, and prayerfully commit to it for thirty days.
Saturday’s Reading
Sunday’s Reading
I love you!!!
© 2000-2022 B. Michael Goerlich