Whether we benefit from the Word of God or not depends on how we treat it. Others are treating it with contempt and consider it as mere “idle” words. However, Moses said, “They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess” (Deut. 32:47). As believers, we know that the Word of God is not idle because an idle word is unproductive and useless. However, the Word of God as we know it is profitable since it has transformed our own personal lives. The apostle Paul appropriately described the Word when he said, “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” (Heb. 4:12). Certainly, an idle word is inutile and could do nothing to transform lives or encourage those who are in despair.
Since the Word of God is not idle, we need to heed the admonition of Moses: “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law” (Deut. 32:46). We can never discount the blessings that will come when we obey the commands of the Lord. It is in the Word that we are commanded to worship the Lord and to do away with all kinds of idol worship for there is just one God and he alone deserves to be worshiped. As a result, God said, “Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span” (Exodus 23:25-26). No one can assure us of a full life span but God himself who created us. Nevertheless, such is conditioned on our obedience to him as manifested by our worship. According to Moses, a full life span is seventy years (Psalm 90:10).
If the Word of God is active and powerful, why do many who read the Bible not receive their desired blessings? This should not be a surprise since the Word of God tells us that “since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not combine it with faith” (Heb. 4:1-2). The key then to the Word becoming active and powerful is the faith that we put into it as we read. Mechanical reading of Scriptures is useless. It will not give the life that it promised. Rather, our reading of Scriptures should be accompanied with meditation which will then be prayed back to God. When we receive the Word as the very Word of God for us, the Lord will do what He promised to do in the very Word we read. Our constant reading of the Scriptures will bring faith because “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
Words are so important that even believers were warned by the Lord Jesus Christ: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37). Idle words are not glorifying to God. It also causes even believers to sin. Therefore, it is so important to guard our tongue because the Book of Proverbs clearly says that “in the multitude of words sin is not lacking” (Prov. 10:19). The more words we utter, the more chance that we will commit sin by what we have said. It is better to be short in our speech that demonstrates our full faith in God. The word AMEN is more powerful that many flowery words that convey the same message. Those flowery words may even end up conveying a message tainted with doubt and thus, becomes unprofitable.
When we hear the Word of God, let us quickly combine it with faith. Though the promise might sound impossible, let us put our faith in God who makes all things possible. Let us not discount what God can do and let us not settle for the second best. Let us remember that God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that work in us” (Eph. 3:20). Indeed, it is through the faith that we have in him that God will do wonders. His promises need to be received by faith because these are not idle words. These words will accomplish that for which God sent them. Praise the Lord!
