2 Cor. 10:1-5, Word Pictures of the Bible (1)

Over the next three days we want to let the Bible speak for itself using “word pictures” that the Bible uses of itself.  These will be in three general categories: the Bible as a weapon, an instrument for spiritual growth, and a guide for life.

1.     The Bible as a weapon of warfare.

a.     The Bible as a fire, Jer. 23:29 (5:14; 20:9).

b.     The Bible as a hammer (Jer. 23:29).

These are together so we can see their common context.  In the context God is addressing lying prophets (23:23-32).  These were speaking a comfortable message, that God would be with Israel and would spare them the judgment Jeremiah was declaring.  They claimed to have had dreams.  But God was against them and was saying His word would be to the lying word of the prophets as a fire and hammer. 

As a fire the word of God judges men (1 Cor. 3:12-13).  It burns away the lies in which they trust.  As a hammer the word of God destroys the deceitful framework the lying prophet creates.  It is the house built on the sand, if you will, and in this case the hammer of God’s word tears apart such a useless trust.  It should be obvious that this fire and hammer is essential in training up our children and in counseling where people must see the foolishness of what they think and do before they can turn to the way of the Lord.

c.     The Bible as a sword, Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17.  In Hebrews the Bible is the two-edged sword, the same that comes from the mouth of Christ in Rev. 1:16.  It seems to refer to the way the Bible cuts into every issue across the breadth of human experience as well into the depth of human intents and purposes (even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit as 4:12 says).  In Ephesians the sword is the small dagger-like weapon that can be moved quickly to handle the onslaught of Satan’s fiery darts.  Jesus’ use of the Word of God in the temptations of Matt. 4:1-11 illustrate this.

d.     The Bible as a goad, Eccl. 12:11.  The Preacher says the words of the wise are like goads.  I have known cowboys over the years that had different approaches to telling a cow what to do.  Some yelled, or waved their hats, or gave them the raspberry (the funny sound you make when you stick your tongue between your lips and blow).  But then when all that failed, they would grab a sharp stick or, perish the thought, the electric cattle prod.  Then they responded.  The Bible does this for us.  It has a way of bringing about a deep and life-changing response to God.  It happened on the day of Pentecost (Ac. 2:47) when the preaching of Peter brought the people to cry out what shall we do.  There is no better way to train the conscience to prod us properly than by the Word of God.