The Bible is A Book Like No Other:
The Word of God is what we love, learn, and LIVE throughout our days. Why? It is not only the book from God (2 Tim. 3:16) to learn about God; the Word IS God (John 1:1). God’s word is like NO other!
There are SO many words we could select to describe the Word (amazing, wonderful, magnificent come to mind) BUT how does the Word describe itself? Here are 9 characteristics of the word of God, straight from scripture.
1. True
- Psalm 119:160 KJV – “Thy word [is] true [from] the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever.”
- John 17:17 KJV – “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
God’s word is true, and it has always been true! That means it is certain, sure, and faithful! There is nothing false about it. While others may (at best) be wrong or (at worst) flat out lie, God’s word is always true! It is dependable, accurate, and trustworthy. Looking for the truth? Tired of the lies? Go to the Word.
2. Tried
- 2 Samuel 22:31 KJV – “[As for] God, his way [is] perfect; the word of the LORD [is] tried: he [is] a buckler to all them that trust in him.”
- Psalm 18:30 KJV – “[As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
The Word of the Lord is tried! Tried means it has been “found good, faithful, or trustworthy through experience or testing” (Merriam Webster Unabridged). There are so many witnesses (from the Old Testament, New Testament, or the 21st Century) that we could put on the stand and they could all say the same thing: they TRIED the Word & it works! It is tried, tested, and true at all times.
3. Pure
- Proverbs 30:5 KJV – “Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
- Psalm 119:140 KJV – “Thy word [is] very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”
- Psalm 12:6 KJV – “The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
The word of God – every single word He gave – is pure. Just like silver that has gone through the fire to be purified, His Word has ZERO impurities. It is spotless and stainless. There is nothing in it that will harm you. His Word is not to be mixed with anything (except our faith – Heb. 4:2), and we never need to add anything or take anything away (Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:18-19) because it’s pure!
4. Right
- Psalm 33:4 KJV – “For the word of the LORD [is] right; and all his works [are done] in truth.”
Somebody is wrong, but the Word (that is true) is always right! The Hebrew word for right (S:3477) is defined as straight and often translated in scripture as right, upright, and righteous. That makes sense because if I want to be righteous and in right standing with God, I must obey what the Word of God says. If everybody has an opinion and you’re not sure who’s right, SEARCH the scriptures; the Word is always right!
5. Perfect
- James 1:25 KJV – “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
- Psalm 19:7 KJV – “The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.”
The Word is perfect – it is without blemish, without spot, so there is NOTHING wrong with it. It is entire and complete, so there is nothing it lacks and nothing that needs to be added. There are no errors, no faults, or defects – it is flawless, accurate, and precise. Why? It is HIS Word and despite those who have tried to fight, change, and corrupt it, God has kept and preserved His Word forever (Psa. 12:7). It’s perfect!
6. Profitable
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV – “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Isn’t that tight? The Word comes from God so it makes sense that what God gives would be profitable, making us perfect, and giving us what we need for every good work. That Greek word for profitable (S:5624) is defined as helpful, serviceable, and advantageous. The Word of God – when we study it, meditate on it, and APPLY it – certainly yields benefits and gains in this life and the next.
7. Quick
- Hebrews 4:12 KJV – “For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The Word being quick doesn’t mean fast; the Greek word is actually a verb that means to live. The Word, which is God, is ALIVE! It is not a dead, stale, dusty book; the word of God is living, working and operating on us, speaking to us in real time. That is why it can heal (Psa. 107:20), save (James 1:21), and accomplish (Isa. 55:1). That is why the Word is always relevant. It’s alive!
8. Powerful
- Hebrews 4:12 KJV – “For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The Word of God is powerful! The Greek word (S:1756) in this verse is defined as active and operative, but it’s translated effectual. The Word of God is powerful enough to have an effect on us!
This is why Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica and said, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess. 2:13). If we accept His Word is like NO one else’s and then BELIEVE it, it can actively work on us in ways that will transform our lives for eternity. THAT is powerful.
9. Sharp
- Hebrews 4:12 KJV – “For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Finally, the Word of God is SHARPer than any two-edged sword. That word for sharper is a Greek word (S:5114) that means to cut, and it is a comprehensive and decisive cut. The Word of God works on us, piercing to the deepest parts of us and dealing with the issues of our hearts and the details of our mind. It cuts out what shouldn’t be (if we let it) and changes us so we’re more like Him! Thank God for His Word that is working on us!
Which characteristic of the Word have you learned and experienced in your life? Which one stands out most to you? Comment below and let us know, and download the FREE chart, What is the Word? in Just Word Academy today!
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“The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.” There is nothing perfect in this world, but God’s Word. I’ve seen in my own life how His Word has transformed my life and renewed my mind. I trust God’s Word because it is perfect, lacking nothing with only my best interests at heart. No one or nothing can boast perfection but God. His ways are true and through His Word I’ve come to know Him in a very real way.
Quick. It stood out to me because I always thought it meant fast. Thank God for understanding. It actually means it’s alive the word of God is alive in me when I read and study and apply it to my life .. daily. Then it becomes active people can see the word of God through me, I can be a light to others and help them by being a witness.
sharper than a two edge sword
John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. Lord Jesus, thank you so much for praying for me so long ago in John 17. Holy Spirit, please set me apart in the Word of God.
[Jas 1:25 KJV] But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. How wonderful that the Word is perfect. I can continually look into it. My heart, mind, emotions, feelings, decisions can look into the perfect law of liberty. If I am a doer of the Word not just a hearer. I will be blessed. Therefore, people should be able to see the perfection of God’s Word in my life. Without me talking, people should see and identify the Word of God in my life. If you are a perfectionist, remember follow the Word of God, The Word of God is perfect!
The characteristic of the Word I have learned and experienced in my life are the word is True. And I’m glad in my heart Truth still stands.
The ones that stand out most to me are powerful and tried! The word certainly has an effect on me and it has proven itself.
“found good, faithful, or trustworthy through experience or testing” (Merriam Webster Unabridged)
I love the word of God. I can find all the traits in my life one time or another.
Psalms 119 : 40
PURE
Thy word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it.
I started reading the bible at 7-8 yrs. old. I am in love with the Word of God. It is pure converting my soul.
I know the only way to serve the Lord you must be true to him and yourself.
It’s amazing how alive God’s word is! There are verses that you’ve read for years and then one day it just ‘JUMPS’ off the page at you! Aha!! Now I get it Lord!!! It’s ALIVE!!!!
Well profitable but I guess I will have to say quick: I would hear fast so I was blown away that it is defined as to live God’s word is alive it is living in us with that being said our daily walk should reflect us practicing to be more christ-like.
I commented yesterday but no harm doing it again. The word is true and is a discerner of the intents of your heart. When you read it there will be times when is does cut to the “quick” because the Lord is not trying to tell you something, the WORD IS TELLING YOU SOMETHING: pointing out what needs to be repented of or an area where there needs pruning and growth.
The word that stood out most to me is QUICK; I always thought of Quick as fast, and have heard it preached as fast, in my studies – it’s has meant FAST – but find that it means to Live — GLORY the word of God is alive
True – I believe God’s Word to be true in every way. It always shows up at just the right time and does what He promises. (Isaiah 55:11 KJV- “So shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Psalm 119:160 KJV -“Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgements endureth forever.
I like it all because from the beginning to the end God gives us everything we need to live for him.
Powerful!! The word of God is so powerful that it can change your life and put the devil on the run!! I no longer have to be afraid of enemy attacks!! I can apply the word of God to any situation and God will respond to His word!!
I have learned and experienced all 9 characteristics in my life. The one characteristic that stands out to me the most is tried. With the word being tried, there has been many trials to come against me. EVERY time I choose to “ try” Jesus and use the word to fight, he proves himself to be trustworthy and faithful EVERY time!!
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
Psalm 119:71 KJV
“SHARPer than any two-edged sword”. I can relate
Oh my!! Where do I start 🤔 I LOVE the word of God; because it has been to me the nine characteristics above and SO much more.The word of God has been profitable, powerful,effective,alive and so very helpful to me.But the “word” that stands out to me is PURE I love how it was described.It has already been tried,put through the fire.It has NO, zero impurities NOTHING in it will harm me. It’s not to be mixed with anything but (our faith)🙌🏾 The highlight for me is, it’s “spotless stainless.”why? One day I will have to stand before a eternal judge and he MUST and I NEED him to see himself. So I must not and need’s not have a spot or blemish.
Powerful
No one but our Great God has all power.
The Word of God is perfect!