The Book That Reads Us

What this episode covers

Cornell University social psychologist David Dunning, studied the tendency for people to overestimate themselves. He found that those who were the least competent performers have the most inflated view of themselves. The study also revealed that their over-inflation wasn’t due to arrogance, but ignorance. Obviously, this can be true for Christians as well. We routinely flatter ourselves with false assessments of our own competence. We aren’t even aware of our pride, because we think we’re simply being honest. Jeremiah 17:9 ESV The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? God is the only one truly capable of knowing his creatures inside and out. That is why his word is so effective at bringing conviction—because it corrects our over-inflated self-assessments. We concluded last week with the exhortation to strive for rest (v.11). One of the ways we do that is by observing the Sabbath. Another way is by submitting ourselves under the authority of God’s word. Having just warned his audience about failing to enter into God’s rest, the author of Hebrews points to the exposing power of God’s Word. He’s calling them to recognize how the Word of God strips us of any sense of self-confidence. We tend to underestimate what God’s word can do while overestimating what we can do. God preserves us by using his piercing word to convict us and strip us of all self-assurance. Read Hebrews 4:11-13. Pierced by God’s Word (12) The word of God is… • Living — Often used with reference to God (cf. 3:12). The word of God is just as alive as God is. The word is divine revelation. That doesn’t mean we worship the Bible, but we worship the God who savingly reveals himself only through the Bible. We cannot know the Living God by any means that is contrary to his word. This word also implies that God’s word is not dead/static. It is animated by the Holy Spirit. It is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16). • Effective — This adjective, translated “active” is only found 3x in the NT and its other occurences mean effective. Even here, that seems to be the sense of the word. Some translations go with “powerful”—which also conveys the idea that the Bible is capable of doing something in the heart of everyone who reads it. Scripture has an impact, it always accomplishes whatever God purposes (Isa 55:10-11). God’s word brings judgment or salvation depending upon the absence or presence of faith. • Sharp — Only occurence, but related to blades of a double-edged sword. It is a weapon for offense. While a sword can certainly be used defensively, its sharpness is only valuable when it is used to pierce and slice. God’s word is meant to penetrate the whole person (soul, body, mind, and heart). Notice, the weapon of God’s word doesn’t comfort and protect. It’s not called a shield or helmet. It’s not body armor. The sword of God’s word pierces, cuts, and divides. In other words, it brings about genuine conviction that leads to true repentance. RPM: “The writer here is not dealing in anthropology, but in admonition. He speaks of ‘an innermost penetration of the innermost man,’ of dividing the indivisible; and his point is that nothing is so deeply hidden in man but that God’s word can uncover it and bring it to judgment.” Along with “rest”, “heart” is a key word in this section (5x between Hebrews 3:8-4:12). The author explicitly connects the mind to the heart (“thoughts and intentions of the heart”). Both words have to do with the mind, which implies that our thinking determines our passions. Spiritually speaking, left to itself, the human heart will harden. It’s like an unused muscle that atrophies. Reading God’s word, on the other hand, is like a cardio workout. Meditating upon Scripture activates the spiritual flow of blood throughout your body. Murray Capill (Diagram 8)—God’s word enlightens the mind, renews the conscience, transforms the will, and gives us godly passions. Excl

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