Power of Scripture Words
Words
are Powerful!
…more powerful than we are
able to measure with present scientific
equipment. Without
the equipment, we have little hard data on the subject.
However, the Lord in His Word has some serious things to
say about the power of the words of Scripture and what that
power will do for us as we use it.
I followed this trail after noticing a powerfully
energizing effect of prayer and Scripture meditation. The
prayer and meditation surrounded an extensive writing
project I have going. Instead of being fatigued by the
effort of the project, I found myself buzzing with energy
and enthusiasm…for everything!
Having a long-standing interest in energy production, my
interest was piqued. So this morning I had to dig into my
Bible, into the Strong’s
Concordance. It’s
like a treasure hunt. Exhilarating! Do come along with
me on this exploration:
Power
of the Words of Scripture
First
Stop:
Hebrews 4:12
For the
word of God is living and
powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the
division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Powerful: energes #1756
in the Strongs’
Active, operative, powerful
By implication, the Word of God itself is energy (energes),
a powerful energy. In the Greek (language of the New
Testament) there are two particular words that describe
this power. They shed light on this energizing effect of
Scripture. Let's look at them.
Next
Stop:
Ephesians 1:19
(Paul says: I
pray that God may give you enlightenment to know)
what is the
exceeding greatness of His
power (1411) toward us
who believe, according to the working of His
mighty
power (2904).
Power: dunamis #1411
in the Strong’s (root of our word “dynamite)
Miracle power, might, strength (from 1410: able to do)
Power: kratos #2904
in the Strongs’
Dominion, might, power, strength
By the working of God’s might (kratos), He releases
His miracle working power (dunamis) toward us who believe.
And what do we believe? We believe what He has said, what
He has promised, and that’s found in His Word.
Paul, who had great revelation of the kratos of God, ends
the epistle to the Ephesians with
Ephesians
6:10-11, 13
Finally, my
brethren, be
strong (1743)
in the Lord
and in the power (kratos)
of His
might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil….Therefore
take up the whole armor of God…
Strong #1743
endunamoo
Empower, enable, increase in strength
How are you empowered, enabled and increased in strength?
The key is in the next verses of the chapter where Paul
goes on to describe the armor:
•
A
belt of truth
•
Breastplate of
righteousness
•
Gospel of peace
for shoes
•
Shield of faith
•
Helmet of
salvation
•
Sword of the
Spirit which is the Word of God
Each of these
pieces of armor are principles found in Scripture. Just how
do you put on the whole armor of God? Prayer
proclamations of Scripture,
prayer affirmations of
Scripture! Cover
yourself in the Word that is active and FULL of power,
the kratos power of God.
Pray
with Increased Faith
Let’s
come back to Hebrews 4:12: the Word of God is a two edged
sword. As you pray and proclaim Scripture, it is a sword
with one edge that swings out and impacts the people and
situations you are praying for. The other edge swings back
and impacts you. Previous to this, I had thought only in
terms of the sword cutting and exposing in me what was not
aligned with God. This is
part of the meaning
of the verse.
Now I am realizing that there is an energizing and
empowering that takes place as well. This explains why I
tend to pick up
The Power Of Your Words, by Don Gossett
and EW Kenyon, for a quick few minutes. The book is
dog-eared and grandly marked up from use. I see now
I’ve been using it like an energy bar, a spiritual
energy bar.
In fact, this morning as I was praying out of
Blessing Your
Spirit,
I prayed the
following prayer touching the energy-bar craving in me.
It sent me down this trail, which produced the page:
“By the words of Jesus you have life. Listen with
your spirit to God’s Word in John 6:63.
‘The
Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words
I have spoken to you are spirit and they are
life.’ I bless your
spirit with hearing and knowing the words that Jesus speaks
to you and the Spirit of the words. I bless you with
meeting Him daily spirit to Spirit. I bless you with not
doing anything by mere human effort. I bless you with being
energized with the life of eternity upon all that you are,
and think, and do. I bless you in the name of Jesus of
Nazareth, who is your life.” (from Day 32
Strength to Equal Your Days,
Blessing Your Spirit)
Blessing Your
Spirit is an
inspired resource for praying Scripture. You can order
it from our catalogue along with some excellent CDs of
recorded Scripture prayer. Use these
resources to ramp up your own praying. With CDs, stay
focused in prayer at times when your mind might wander,
like times when you drive, exercise, bathe, cook, etc.
Let’s redeem the time by increasing the release of
God’s dynamic power with Scripture prayer. Can you
think of any more hopeful an investment than that? Pray and
proclaim! The power is delegated to you and to me. Use it
now!