Q: #322. Why do people call God's Word/The Bible "living?"
A: There are several verses in the Bible that talk about God’s Word being “living,” but the primary verse is found in (Heb 4:12) which says:
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (See 1 Pet 1:23 for another example)
The Bible is God’s direct Word to man (2 Tim 3:16-17)(2 Pet 1:20-21). All through the Bible, God tells us how His Word has the power to change lives. For example, “faith comes by hearing it” (Rom 10:17), it helps us not to sin (Ps 119:11), it strengthens us (Ps 119:28), it sanctifies us (Jn 17:17), it “shall not return void” (Isa 55:11), it “has the power to save souls” (James 1:21), we are “brought forth by the word of truth” (James 1:18), if you “meditate on it” you will “succeed in all you do” (Josh 1:8), it is “a lamp to guide” us (Ps 119:105), and it can give us hope (Rom 15:4). Jesus used the Word to battle Satan when tempted (Mt 4:1-11)
The Bible is the ONLY book in the world that can do this. It has the power to change the life of EVERYONE who reads it. It “pierces” a person’s innermost being, reaching inside and judging (a two-edged sword) every motive and action.
God Word is Holy Spirit inspired (2 Pet 1:21) and it is the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17). God actively works through His Word. Let me ask you a question that I believe shows one example of God doing this: How many times have you read the Bible and seen some verse in a way you have never seen it before, with a new truth revealed, even though you have read it numerous times in the past? I know for me (and others), this has happened over and over.
These things above are happening around the world EVERY moment, and have never changed. They are why God’s Word is “living.” Its power has never diminished. It cannot be chained (2 Tim 2:9). It will “endure forever” (Isa 40:8)!