The Word of God Hebrews 4:12-13God’s Word discerns the heart. God’s Word promises rest to those who believe. And note: His Word of promise is not a lifeless letter; it is not paper and ink. God’s Word and His promise are living—they are a living reality.
Five things are said about the Word of God and His promises.1. The Word of God is “quick”: alive and living. The idea is that the Word of God is always alive and active; it is always working and quickening its message to the human heart. Therefore, God’s word of rest is not a dead and meaningless promise; it is living and full of life to the heart of the believer.2. The Word of God is “powerful”: active, working, energizing. God’s word of promise, His rest of salvation, is powerful. It is not dormant and inactive. It is active and working, energizing the heart of the believer.3. The Word of God is “sharper than any two-edged sword.” The word “sharper”: means to cut. It is penetrating and convicting. It does not leave a soul alone. The Word of God will not let a soul who hears it ignore God’s promise of rest.4. The Word of God is “piercing”: to go through. It goes right through to the soul and spirit of man. It is the Word of God that takes man’s earthly, soulish nature and separates it from the spiritual call and promise of God. It pierces and separates a man’s soul and spirit just as a sword pierces a man’s joints and marrow.5. The Word of God “discerns the thoughts and intents [purpose] of the heart.” The word “discern”: means to judge, to sift and analyze. “The Word of God is able to penetrate into the furthermost recesses of a person’s spiritual being, sifting out and analyzing the thoughts and intents of the heart”.