How God Uses the Bible

God uses His Word to teach His people new things and to show them the way. There are many ways in which God does that. He is a creative Teacher. Among other things, the Bible is compared to a sword, a mirror and a lamp.

The Bible as a sword

12 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.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

For non-believers, the Bible shows the difference between black and white, light and darkness, truth and lies. It separates the two. The Bible tells the truth about man and about God, with no room for discussion. In His Word, we read about sin and the way to salvation.

For believers, God’s Word shows us a big difference between our old life and our new life, between our will and the will of God. His Word is a double-edged sword in the hand of the Holy Spirit. It penetrates our thoughts and our attitudes. This gives us clarity in our opinions.

Whomever wants to live a worthy life (for others), will read the Bible!

The Bible as a mirror

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

James 1:22-25 (NIV)

Non-believers see who they are in comparison to God in the Word of God. The purpose of the Bible being a ‘mirror’ is not to judge, but to show us that this distorted relationship can be restored, and how that can be done.

Believers see themselves in the Bible, and are being called to change in person and in direction. His Word calls us to live a pure life for God. That is why James (in verse 22) says: Do not merely listen to the Word, but do as it says!

The Bible as a lamp

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

His Word is the lamp that we need in this world around us. There are so many signs, so many advisors, and yet so little truth. The Word is a lamp for my feet, not a lamp for further down the road. This prevents us from only reading once in a while. With every step, His Word wants to light up our way.

God’s Word helps us find an answer to all our questions about right and wrong. The Bible encourages us when we are in need. It shows us our future: safe, light, beautiful, close to God, forever.

The purpose of this Word is that we let ourselves be cleansed, to stop sin and to seek, and find Him.

Bible book: Hebrews