As We Speak (His WORD), God Performs (His WORD)

As We Speak

Abracadabra is an incantation used in another language without translation. One possible source of the word is Aramaic: “Avrah KaDabra” which means I will create as I speak. Another source might be the Hebrew “Aberah KeDaber” which also means I will create as I speak. (Wikipedia)

God’s Word is Alive and Full of Power

“A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term Logos (Word) around 600 B.C. to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe.”(1) The writer of Hebrews sees God’s Word, not in the removed role of coordinator, but in a more hands on, active role. He sees God’s word as full of power. For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]… (Heb. 4:12a Amplified Bible) “This dynamic word of God (is) active in accomplishing God’s purpose.”(2)

The living nature of God’s Word makes it personal as well as powerful. He sent his word and healed them. (Psalm 107:20a NASB) “His command (is) here personified as the agent of His purpose.”(2)

God Performs His Word

The reason God’s Word is so powerful is that He watches over it to perform it, to cause it to happen. Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word (dabar) to perform it. (Jer. 1:12 Amplified Bible). The Hebrew word “Dabar” is defined as speech, speaking, saying, utterance.

God’s Expressed Will

We see that God is waiting to perform His Word, but is it His will to act on His Word? God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Num. 23:19 NIV) The Bible is full of promises, prophecies, and prayers to be fulfilled. For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through Him the "Amen" (an expression of absolute trust and confidence) is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Cor. 1:20 NIV) Notice that the fulfillment of God’s promises is to His glory, not ours. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14b NIV) His promises are expressions of His will so when we use His Words He both hears our requests and performs them.

The WORD Spoke God’s Word

The Word became flesh ... (John 1:14a NIV) The Centurion knew the power of Jesus’ spoken word. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. (Matt. 8:8b NIV) He just wanted Jesus to speak the command. Jesus then said, ”Go! It will be done …” … and his servant was healed at that very hour. (Matt. 8:13a NIV) Jesus, the WORD, spoke God’s Word. ”… but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.” (John 12:49b NIV)

Speaking God’s Word

“Word” used by John the Baptist in the following passage is the Greek word “rhema” defined as that which is or has been uttered by the living (human) voice. For He whom God has sent speaks the words (rhema) of God. (John 3:34a NASB) The Greek word “rhema” is similar to the Hebrew word “dabar” used in Jeremiah 1:12.

Jesus spoke the word of God to the Devil when He said, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" (Luke 4:8 NIV) All Jesus used to combat the Devil’s temptations was God’s Word (logo) spoken (rhema).

When Power Is Released

Sometimes God's spoken Words manifest power when He speaks "'Let there be light,' and there was light." (Gen. 1:3)

At other times they need to be returned by us to Him to release power. "... if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Rom. 10:9 NIV) "That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead ..." (Eph. 1:19b-20a NIV)

Return God’s Word

We release the power in God’s Word by returning it to God. So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 NIV) We return God’s word by speaking it! God watches over His Word to perform it! God’s power is released! By faith watch Him work according to His will, doing what He desires and achieving the purpose on earth He intended!

Mouthed Twice

Let’s look again at Hebrews 4:12a “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, …” The Greek word for “double-edged” is “distomon” or “distomos”. “Distomos” is defined in Strong’s(1) as having a double mouth as a river. It comes from the Greek word “dis” meaning twice and the Greek word “stoma” meaning mouth or the edge of a sword. We could say that God’s word is intended to be mouthed twice. Once by God and then returned by our mouths.

Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. He then said to me: "Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. (Ez. 3:3-4 NIV)

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. (Acts 10:44 NIV)

And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, …. (Rev. 12:11 Amplified Bible)

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Prov. 18:21 NIV)

… my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. (1Cor. 2:4,5 NASB)

Notes:

1. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

2. Note to cited verse in Zondervan New American Standard Bible, Study Bible.

As_We_Speak.doc 10/3/05