The Definition, Power & Purpose of the Word
RTB-1-2 Conference
To begin with it is very important to mention the fact that, “Reading the Bible is not an end in itself but rather it is a means to an end”
Varying Effects of Reading the Bible
There are those who have read the Bible and yet became agnostics, there are those who have studied the Bible and have become theologians at best, and there are those who have fed & meditated on it in faith and experienced literally in reality, what the Bible says & promises.
THE ENTRANCE OF THE WORD
In Psalms 119:130 the scriptures say that;
Psalm 119:130 King James Version
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
That word “entrance” here is so key. It is one thing to read the bible, but it is quite another thing for the word to gain entrance. The parable of the Sower attests to this fact. The ideal purpose for the word, however, is for it to gain entrance into our subconscious.
INDWELLING OF THE WORD
Colossians 3:16A King James Version
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;…
In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul says that “let the word dwell in you richly in all wisdom”, so there ought to be an entrance of the Word, and then an indwelling of the word and thirdly it is supposed to dwell in us in all wisdom.
WISDOM-Application of Knowledge
Wisdom means the application of knowledge. The word must gain access to our subconscious mind such that the Spirit of God can gain access to it in our lives when it is most needed.
THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS
In the Gospels, Jesus gives us a classic example as to how the word of God is to be applied. If we can remember, He had a specific word for every temptation that the devil threw at Him. Likewise in real life, there is a specific word for every challenge, difficulty or enigma that the devil or life will throw our way. In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul calls the word, the sword of the Spirit because one of the purposes of the word is to counteract the challenges of Life.
Definition & Function of the Word
Proverbs 22:20-21 King James Version
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
For me Proverbs 22:20-21 is one of the most fascinating scriptures about the definition, purpose and power of the word. It is a scripture I discovered in my teenage years, and it has never left me since then.
Excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
First and foremost, it is descriptive of what the word is. It calls the word “excellent things in counsels and knowledge…”
The certainty of the words of truth
Secondly its’ purpose is to bring us to a place of certainty or if you like a place of firm persuasion, a place of faith. Listen to what Luke the Doctor said when he was writing his version of the Gospel.
Luke 1:3-4 King James Version
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
That thou Mightest Answer
Thirdly the word has been given to us to respond accurately to the challenges of Life.
MODUS OPERANDI (Mode of operation)
Proverbs 16:1 King James Version
16 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
We can find the mode of operation in the verse above. God’s expectation of us is that we prepare our hearts with the word by reading it. In other words, we have to make sure that the word gains entrance into our subconscious. As Paul said in Colossians 3:16, the word must dwell in us richly in all wisdom. However, on the day of adversity the answer of the tongue will come from the Lord. The Lord will put that specific word for that specific situation on your tongue.
Man Shall not Live by Bread Alone
Jesus Christ rightly quoted from the book of Deuteronomy when He said that Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God shall man live.
THE WORD IS MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN IT IS IN YOUR HEART & MOUTH
The Word Is Nigh Thee Even in thy Heart and in thy mouth
Romans 10:8 King James Version
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Romans 10:10 King James Version
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (SOTERIA).
- deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation
- deliverance from the molestation of enemies
- in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the soul’s safety or salvation
- of Messianic salvation
Romans 10:10 is also applicable to other situations in life other than messianic salvation. It also applies to wholeness, deliverance, preservation, provision, healing etc.
Ps. Charles Amaning
