It has pierced me time and again—cut straight through my denials and deep into my innermost thoughts and desires—to perform surgery in my soul. The Word of God is sharper than the sharpest knife. And, I stand here today better for having submitted myself to it.

God’s word exposes us. Everything lies naked, bare before God’s eyes. Not a thing in all creation can hide from him. God knows everything about us. We can’t hide our mistakes or sinful tendencies from him. God even knows the things we try to hide from ourselves. When we submit ourselves to the study of God’s Word in the Bible, we can count on him to expose these problems and needs to us so that we can make the necessary adjustments in our thoughts, attitudes and behaviors.

God’s word convicts us. When we come face to face with things about ourselves that are difficult to accept, we commonly harden our hearts to those truths. This helps to protect us, keeps us from becoming angry with ourselves. God’s living word has the power to penetrate our deepest denials. His sharp knife can leave a painful wound while excising a heretofore hidden and unhealthy growth. Yes. But, better to move out of denial and into truth. He provides a way out for us, a way of understanding that leads to conviction.

God’s word improves us. Not wanting to leave us in our state of dysfunction and distorted reality, God created an amazing self-improvement plan for his disciples. Out of his love and care for us, he meets our need. He offers his living Word so that, through its power, we might overcome ourselves. It’s there for the taking. However, this is elective surgery. God doesn’t force it upon us. No! He gives us the free will to choose. We can go under the power of his sharp knife for our own good or live our lives without his helpful intervention.

For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. Hebrews 4:12-13

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, so many voices speak to me today. They tell me what to do, what not to do. I thank you for your sacred Word, that I can trust it to speak truth to me. As I study, I give you permission to expose my denials, convict me of sin and renew me by the transforming power of your Holy Spirit. Please give me the grace I need to remain submitted to the sharp knife of your Word and mute the many voices of the world. In Jesus’ name, I pray.