Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
What Are the Characteristics of God’s Word?
God’s Word Is the Truth
This is the most important of all of the characteristics of God’s word, for by it, we can trust everything it says and without we could not.
2 Peter 1:20-21 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of oneâs own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.
Psalm 119:43 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.
Psalm 119:160 The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Psalm 119:151 You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth.
John 17:13-19 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
God’s word is truth, so everything it says is true, so every promise it makes is true, so every fact it states is true, so every command it gives is true, so everything it condemns and everything it commends is true. It is wholly true, so we must listen to it, we can count on it, we can trust it, and we can live according to it.
God’s Word Is Holy, Blameless, Pure
Romans 7:12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Psalm 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
Psalm 119:140 Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it.
God’s word is Holy, and in its purity we find Him, we learn about Him. It leads us to worship Him. It humbles us, knowing the one true Holy God
God’s Word is Righteous, Good, Upright, Just
Romans 7:16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.
1 Timothy 1:8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully.
Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness.
Psalm 119:172 Let my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.
Psalm 119:144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.
Psalm 119:39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your ordinances are good.
His word is upright, just and blameless, it is morally right, it is inherently fair and good. It won’t lead us astray.
What is the Condition of God’s Word?
God’s word is tested, tried, faithful, fully confirmed, sure.
Psalm 119:89 [ Lamedh. ] Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
Settled in heaven forever. Everlasting. There is no expiration date. His words are not changing, and are good forever.
Psalm 119:86 All Your commandments are faithful; they [men who are not in accordance with God’s law] have persecuted me with a lie; help me!
Godâs word is faithful. We can rely upon it. It’s proven. Itâs consistent. Itâs trustworthy. Itâs true. Itâs believable. Itâs authentic. Itâs constant. Itâs staunch.
Psalm 111:7 The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure.
Godâs word is sure. Itâs indisputable. Certain. Assured. Infallible. Accurate.
2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Godâs word is tested. Itâs confirmed. Established. Seasoned. Proven. It’s been put to the test and passed! It has been examined, analyzed, investigated, and it stands.
Psalm 93:5 Your testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness befits Your house, O Lord, forevermore.
Verified! Authentic! Established! Approved! Sanctioned! Substantiated. Validated.
What Is the Effectiveness of God’s Word?
Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.
It’s near. Available. Accessible. Literally in your mouth and heart and eyes. Not just seeing, but observing, you can see it at work!
Psalm 119:143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, yet Your commandments are my delight.
God’s commandments are delightful, the cure for the pain and anguish of troubles. They tell us the truth, that we belong to God. He knows our troubles, He is a very real help and presence, and we can cast every care upon Him. His peace will guard and protect our hearts!
Galatians 5:14– For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.“
God’s law is love. It is ultimately love because it is fulfilled, meaning it is completely met, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Because every other command hangs on this one.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
He’s not saying they’re always easy, He’s saying that they are not a burden, they are not too much, because even contained within them is the promise that He has equipped you for every work you’re called to do. And even if you are tempted to sin, with every temptation He provides a way of escape. It is not a burden to know and keep His commandments; it is a pleasure, a joy, and our blessed obligation.
Psalm 119:129 [Pe.] Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul observes them.
God’s word is wonderful. If you want to fill your soul and your mind, to see beyond the mundane, to soar with all your senses, then look into the word of God and learn about the most amazing being in existence, what He’s like, what He’s done, what He’s made, what He thinks. You will be filled with wonder that will never be mundane because it so far exceeds our capacity to fully understand.
Psalm 119:105 [Nun.] Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
To state the obvious, walking around in the dark is dangerous. Anyone ever tried to do it? Stubbed your toe? Broken a bone? Broken a treasure? Gotten even more lost?
Well this is talking about life . . . stumbling around in the dark on your life’s journey. There’s far more at stake than a toe or a broken bone. God’s work is at stake, our sanctification is at stake, our confidence in God is at stake, our testimony is at stake, our righteousness is at stake. We need some light. His word is light. We need it with us all the time. His word is a lamp, and we can carry it around with us.
What are the Benefits of God’s Word?
Psalm 119:25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!
It refreshes the weary soul.
Psalm 119:107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to Your word!
It enlivens the downtrodden.
Psalm 119:37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in your ways.
It’s the solution to wasted pursuits that lead to futility. It leads to abundant meaningful life.
Psalm 119:147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.
It delivers hope for the depressed, the oppressed, the suppressed, to anyone in need of help.
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
It gives peace and stability to the unsettled and unsteady soul.
Psalm 119:49 Remember Your word to your servant, in which You have made me hope.
It brings hope to the hopeless.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
It brings joy and happiness and satisfaction and delight to the soul.
Psalm 119:100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep Your precepts.
It makes you wiser than you ever could be, even wiser than the aged.
Psalm 119:75 I know, O Lord, that Your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
It brings meaning and good to suffering.
Psalm 119:62 At midnight I rise to praise You because of your righteous rules.
It gives causes to praise, magnify, glorify God.
Psalm 119:115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
It strengthens us to resist temptation and obey God.
Psalm 119:29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me Your law!
It exposes falsehood.
Psalm 199:123 My eyes long for Your salvation and for the fulfillment of Your righteous promise.
It provides assurance, security of eternal life and every promise of God.
Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life.
It delivers the promises that comfort us whatever we may face.