What God's Word Will Do for You - Part 1

Think back on some key moments in your life when God used a passage of Scripture to bring life, encouragement and/or direction to you. Isn’t it amazing that the Word of God can have such a dramatic impact upon our lives? That impact is the focus of what you are about to discover in this new Teaching Series: What God’s Word Will Do For You.

In this six-part series on the theme, What God’s Word Will Do For You, we will be studying specific aspects of what God’s Word will produce in you. We will discuss the results you may expect to experience as you open yourself to God’s Word.

In fact, right now as we begin this study, I want to ask you to open your heart to receive these truths with an attitude of expectancy. Expect to receive something good and positive from this teaching.

God’s Word Is Alive

The first point we need to understand in this study regarding the nature of God’s Word is this: it is unique. The Word of God is quite different from anything else that we will ever encounter throughout our lives. God’s Word is not just black marks on white paper. There is a great deal more to it than that.

To find out the true nature of the Word of God, we need to go to the Bible itself. The best source of information about God’s Word is to be found in the Word of God. With that being true, I want to begin by showing you some of the things that God’s Word has to say about itself.

Let’s start in Psalm 33:6, which says:

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host. (nasb1995)

Where this translation says “breath,” the Hebrew word is actually “spirit.” There is a close relationship between the words for “spirit” and “breath.” The Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit) in scripture is called “the breath of the Almighty.” But we need to see that the two components spoken of in this verse are the Word of the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord.

By these two powerful forces working together—the Word of the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord—the entire created universe was brought into existence. By the Word of the Lord and the Spirit of God, the heavens and all their host were made.

The Power Of The Universe

One of the main principles we need to understand is that God’s Word and God’s Spirit always work together. They work in perfect harmony. We see this from the very beginning of the Bible. The statement in Genesis 1:2 affirms this truth: “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Then the next verse states, “God said” that is, God’s Word went forth. Right at the beginning of creation, we see the Word and the Spirit of God working together. When those forces were united in that way, the result was creation. God said, “Let there be light,” and light came into being.

We need to understand that the creative power behind the entire universe is the Word and Spirit of God working together. Why is this so important? Because when you receive the Word and the Spirit of God into your life, you are receiving the total creative power of God. When these components combine in you, the very power that brought this entire vast universe into being is made available to you.

God’s Word Never Fails

Another aspect of the Word of God is stated in Isaiah 55:11. In that verse God declares that His Word will never fail in its purpose.

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty [or ineffective]; without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (nasb1995)

When God’s Word goes forth, it accomplishes what He desires it to do. It succeeds in the purpose for which He sends it. That means you can rely absolutely on the Word of God. In fact, we might even say there is a written guarantee that it will do what it is sent out to do. If you were to buy some form of equipment in a store, almost invariably the manufacturer will give you a written guarantee for what you bought. In effect, Isaiah 55:11 is God’s written guarantee. He promises that His Word will accomplish exactly what He says it will do.

In the New Testament, Jesus affirms this truth when He spoke the following words from John 6:63:

The words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and are life. (nasb1995)

Jesus was saying that God’s words are not just sounds in the air, nor simply marks on paper. He is saying that in these words is carried the very Spirit and life of God Himself.

An additional confirmation of this truth is found in Hebrews 4:12, where we have this statement about the Word of God:

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. (nasb1995)

The word translated “active” in Greek is the very word from which we get the English word “energetic.” To me, that is a vivid picture of God’s Word. It is alive; it is energetic; it is penetrating. It reaches into every area of the human personality—the mind, the spirit, the soul, and even the physical body. Wherever the Word of God is applied, it comes with a written guarantee that it will do you good.

This is God’s promise concerning His Word: it will accomplish in your life the very purpose for which He has sent it.

The Way We Respond

To complete the circuit on this truth, we are now going to look at our part in this matter. This whole matter is not merely a question of what God’s Word is or what God’s Word will do for you. Its reliability is guaranteed. It is as unvarying as God Himself. However, the result God’s Word will produce in you or me depends on the way we respond.

In this section I am going to explain to you how we are required to respond to the Word of God. How must we respond in order to receive all the benefits and blessings God desires for us to have?

In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul writes these words:

For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. (nasb1995)

There are two requirements to meet when God’s Word comes to us. First, we must not treat it merely as some kind of human writing or human message. Instead we must acknowledge that it is a message directly from God. It is God’s Word—not man’s.

Secondly, we have to receive it in faith. We have to believe it. Paul says that when we receive it as God’s Word to us—and we believe this Word—it then “performs its work” in us. It does what God intends.

Please bear in mind these two requirements. First, you have to receive it as God’s Word, not just as a message from man. Second, you have to accept it with faith, believing it is able to do in you what God requires.

Requirements Of Receiving

The book of James also brings an additional element to this discussion. We see from James 1:21 that there are moral requirements we must fulfill in order to receive the full benefit of God’s Word.

Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. (nasb1995)

Notice this term “implanted.” The Word of God is something with life in it which will grow in us. So if you receive it—if you will plant it in your heart and life—it will take root there. Like a fruit tree, it will grow and bring forth the results which God intends.

There are two requirements mentioned in this verse. First of all, the negative. We have to put aside "filthiness" and "wickedness". In other words, we have to have our lives cleaned out. It is no good holding on to sin, rebellion and other evil qualities in our lives, all the while expecting God’s Word to do what He promises. That will not happen.

Secondly, we have to receive the Word with humility. This is a very important requirement. When we are humble, we are teachable. We don’t act like a naughty child, answering God back or trying to tell Him what to do. Instead, we humbly receive what He is saying to us. Only when we respond with humility will His Word accomplish its result in our lives.

Humility and Reverent Fear

I want to point out one more significant truth as we close this section on God’s Word. God Himself selects His students. If you want to be one of God’s students—one of those who learns from God—you have to meet His requirements. Those requirements are stated very clearly in Psalm 25:8–9, 12, 14.

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. … Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. … The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant. (nasb1995)

These powerful verses talk about some very important character requirements. How do we prepare ourselves for God to teach us His way and make us understand His covenant? We must not only be humble, but also, we should fear (reverently respect) the Lord. These are two absolute requirements we must meet to receive the Word of God in our lives.

Humility and a reverent fear for the Lord must be present for us to see His Word accomplish what He has sent it to do in our lives. If we are to be initiated into the marvelous secrets of God—if He is to share His wonderful thoughts and purposes with us—we have to meet these requirements.

There are many people—some who are even enrolled in Bible schools, seminaries or theological institutions—who have a lot of head knowledge. Yet God has never accepted some of those with such head knowledge as His students. Why? Because they haven’t met His character requirements. What are those requirements? Being humble and having a reverent fear and respect of God.

Now, I want to challenge you. I want to ask you a direct question. In this moment, will you decide to adopt the required attitude toward God’s Word? Will you be humble and reverent in your approach to God and to His Word?

If that is your desire, and you are willing to make this commitment, I ask you to seal it with the following prayer: