[Pastor Ralph]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

[Commissioned]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them?
The preceding verses points out the seriousness of what could happen when the Believer is not grounded in the Word, you could lose out on entering that "rest".

How is the Word described?
The Word is described as, 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."

What effect does the Word have on us?
The Word exposes our faults and causes us to evaluate our intentions against God's standards.

Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?
We need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God so that it become the standard by which we live.

[Tabatha]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God. a vehicle for communicating ideas. It is living , life-changing and dynamic as if working in us, with the incisiveness of a surgeon's knife. God's Word reveals and exposes who we are and what we are not.It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and evil. The demands of God's Word require decisions. We must not only listen to the Word, we must also let it shape our lives.

By not being obedient to the word and letting it reveal our good and evil we can be blinded and drawn away from the glorious things that God has for us. It can also cause us to not cross over into the promise God has in store for us in that rest the word speaks of. We can easily walk into the deceptive traps the enemy sets for us




Nothing can be hidden from God. He knows about everyone, everywhere, and everything about us is wide open to His all-seeing eyes. God sees all we do and knows our comings and goings. He also knows our most deepest thoughts. Even when we are unaware of His presence. He is there. When we try to hide from Him, He sees us, we can have no secrets from God. It is comforting to realize that although God knows us intimately, He still loves us

[charisbarak]

Without regular Bible study & reading, we can be in sin & not convicted. We need to labor to stay right with God & the Bible is just the tool we need to convict us!

The Word is described as a sharp, two-edged sword.

It pierces our hearts with the truth & convicts us & our thoughts & intentions.

We need to be in the Word to help guide us Every Day--to turn us around when we're on the wrong track and to expose to us our sins so we can confess them& repent from them. It is a tool for growth.

[zam]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

They have a close connection wherein we are told about the seriousness of the Word of God.

The Word of God is described as: 1. The living and active
2. Very sharp, sharper than any two-edged sword
3. The one which is able to separate the inseparable, and scrutinize the inscrutable

The Word of God has all the thing which God intends to communicate His will to us. By allowing ourselves to be exposed to it, we'll be able to take note of our weaknesses and correct them. Through it we're able to examine ourselves.

[Stan]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

It gives the people who hear another reason for not turning from Christ back to Judaism ,the word judges the heart.

It is described as a double edged sword it can cut from either direction and it is sharp cutting through bone and marrow, it can not be stopped it devides the truth from the evil hidden in our hearts lauing it bare for all to see. There is no where to hid from the Lord when He stands before us as Lord and King judging the works of our hands.

The word effects our entire being. Jesus the word has taken up residence in our hearts to lead and guide us in the things that a Holy Father would have us to do. He is there always convicting us and allowings us to struggle against the world and learn that He is our comfort if we stand firm in the word ans us it as our sheild and fortress.

We must continue in the word because it is our lasting hope and comfort it allows us to remain close to Jesus who is the beginning and finisher of our faith. Only by study and remaining faithful to the word can we finish the race laid out for us since the world began.

[JustJeff]

The word of God is the foundation and instrument of our faith. By it and it's application to our lives our innermost being is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. God already sees what we need to work on and work out, the word is the dynamic to make it all happen.
The convicting power of the word is essential to repentance and should humble us, strengthen us, hold us firm in the faith and make us steadfast against the evil.
Without the word 24/7/365 our understanding is unfruitful, our faith weak, growth stunted and the chance to backslide great. It is essential then that we "expose" ourselves fervently to the word as often as we can, daily.

[masika]

The two serves tell very clearly what is a head of us since we will not hide from God. The word has been preached to us and it is very powerful to expose our sins.
It describes the word of God as living, life changing and dynamic as it work in us.
God's word reveals who we are and what we are not. It penetrates the core of our moral and Spiritual life.. It descerns what is within us, both good and evil. The demand of God's word require decision. We must not only listen to the word, we must also let it shape our lives.

[Lisa Rupert]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?
These 2 verses describe the seriousness of God's word and what would happen if we live outside of the Word by falling from following in disobedience.
The Word is described as "Living and Active", it is also described as a "razor-sharp sword" that is all "powerful and dangerous", and that it divides the soul, the spirit and the joints and marrow.
The effect of the Word on us is that it is the final and ultimate judge because it knows everything, what's on the inside that is hidden away our hidden thoughts and our heart and our intentions in our heads that are hidden from man.
That is why we need to stay in the Word of God so that we don't drift away are stray away lost and live in our weakness because we lack understand. We will also remain disobedient to God when we don't stay in his Word, because without the knowledge of the word how could one know and love God.

[Rev. J. G. Morris]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

These verses tells to us that if we do not enter into rest as the word as shown/told us, the word of God is going to cut us. The same word that dies for us, the same word that made it possible for men to enter into a final rest is going to reveal who we really are. Are we true believers? The word is going to open everything we have hid from the world.

The word is described as something used by man that can cut to the bone. The word knows our thoughts, every move we make, we lay down and we rise up. There is not a creature made that he does not know about. Every creature on this earth is naked and opened in his eyes.

The word of God brings us closer to God. The word is the reason why mankind exists. The word is the reason why the world was made without the word nothing would be made.

We must continue to expose our selves to the word of God to enter into rest; to have a closer relationship with God; to be able to stand firm in these last and evil days.

[sahala p.s.]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

These two verses have to do with verses of we must continue in our faith and must hold it firmly. Word of God underlie our faith. To receive fulfillment of the promise we have both Word, promise of God, and faith.

Word is described in this way: the word of God is living and active so that it can talk to us or we hear it; it is so powerful that it can separate the inseparable and scrutinize the inscrutable. The effect the Word has on us is that the Word can discern our hidden thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It can expose our true motives.

We need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God because firstly,our thoughts, minds, wants, motives in our dayly lives are still influenced by or come from our old self and as long as we live we also continually accept worldly thoughts, teachings coming from people and various media we see and hear so that they all can influence our lives in Christ. Secondly, the objective of our spiritual lives is to be like Christ and God is leading us to that. So we need his word and expose to it to know what God wants and what we must do.

[Craig]

The living Word of God will help us to discern the truth in our lives and where we are at in our obediance and walk with God. The Word of God will help us from deceiving ourselves in sin.

We need to be in God's Word daily to stay focused in our faith and to aid in our daily walk with God in worship and in seeking direction in what God is doing in our lives.

[PCHRIS]

A strong connection undoubtely exists between this verse and the last. The warning was based in fact on the nature of the divine relevation. It was of such character that its claims could not be dismissed as of no consequence.
Indeed the powerful qualities of the Word are described by means of an impressive metaphor, which emphasizes not only the activity, but also ther effectiveness of the 'Word of God'
It's implying that no one can enter into true rest except the one in whom the Word of God has taken full control in every part of their experience.
That the Word is 'living' shows that it reflects the true character of God himself, the source of all life. This kind of life is full of energy to achieve its declared end.
The theme that the Word of God affects us to the extent of discriminating our intentions is challenging. Nothing, not even our innermost thoughts, is shielded from the discernment of the message of God.

[Helenmm]

. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

Preceeding verses teach us to be diligent and to make sure we enter that rest. The Word is described as alive and discerning us! If the Word is alive and discerning us,then we need to know that we are aligned and complying with it, because it is from the beginning, and much greater than we are, eternal, permanent, of the very, creating life force of God Himself. If we have LIFE within us we'll be throbbing with it, vibrant and unstoppable because it lives! If we haven't that dynamic (life force, Holy Spirit,) then we are out of sync with God, restive and agitated and needing to due diligence on our lifestyle! These verses are exhorting us to examine ourselves for LIFE!

The Word of God has life in its own right and is both our teacher and examiner. Its accuracy is the ultimate clean, sharp laser tool for cutting through the soul and spirit to the real matter in hand and isolating our functions that are not in order. There is nothing exempt, nothing unsearchable, nothing that can escape into hiding from the zeal of the Word of God. It can see even the thoughts, and more than that, the motivations of our hearts, and is inclined to bring everything to the surface for examination, bar none! Effectively we have naked minds and hearts!

Just as Elijah spoke to the dry bones and commanded them to put on flesh and live, so the Word of God speaks life to our dried up being and commands our spirit to live diligenty, wonderfully, and with true creativity in the likeness of God, and as a trained warrior in His armies..

The Word of God reads us!. It actually brings our being to life by quickening our spirit at the reading of certain verses that convict us of sin and need, and of promise and vital truth. As we present ourselves to it, we are the ones under scrutiny when all said and done. We are the ones who need to absorb its life-giving truth, not the other way around. It is our food and drink, nutruition and sustenance, without which our spirit would sicken and die. It is strength to our bones, and our connection with Father.

For this reason we continually feed ourselves upon it, knowing that whatever we feed our spirit determines the strength of our eternal connection. Without this food we are dead, unresponsive to God's Spirit (unresponsive = dead!). It is the very body and blood of the Son of God incarnate which He told us to feed on in the Last Supper, for He was the walking Word of God. As food is to the body, so is the Word of God to our soul.

[Helenmm]

. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

Preceeding verses teach us to be diligent and to make sure we enter that rest. The Word is described as alive and discerning us! If the Word is alive and discerning us,then we need to know that we are aligned and complying with it, because it is from the beginning, and much greater than we are, eternal, permanent, of the very, creating life force of God Himself. If we have LIFE within us we'll be throbbing with it, vibrant and unstoppable because it lives! If we haven't that dynamic (life force, Holy Spirit,) then we are out of sync with God, restive and agitated and needing to due diligence on our lifestyle! These verses are exhorting us to examine ourselves for LIFE!

The Word of God has life in its own right and is both our teacher and examiner. Its accuracy is the ultimate clean, sharp laser tool for cutting through the soul and spirit to the real matter in hand and isolating our functions that are not in order. There is nothing exempt, nothing unsearchable, nothing that can escape into hiding from the zeal of the Word of God. It can see even the thoughts, and more than that, the motivations of our hearts, and is inclined to bring everything to the surface for examination, bar none! Effectively we have naked minds and hearts!

The Word of God reads us!. It actually brings our being to life by quickening our spirit at the reading of certain verses that convict us of sin and need, and of promise and vital truth. As we present ourselves to it, we are the ones under scrutiny when all said and done. We are the ones who need to absorb its life-giving truth, not the other way around. It is our food and drink, nutruition and sustenance, without which our spirit would sicken and die. It is strength to our bones, and our connection with Father.

For this reason we continually feed ourselves upon it, knowing that whatever we feed our spirit determines the strength of our eternal connection. Without this food we are dead, unresponsive to God's Spirit (unresponsive = dead!). It is the very body and blood of the Son of God incarnate which He told us to feed on in the Last Supper, for He was the walking Word of God. As food is to the body, so is the Word of God to our soul.

As Elijah spoke to the dead bones, commanding them to put on flesh and rise up as warriors, so the Word of God empowers us to rise up and LIVE as fully fleshed warriors in His army.

[PATJOE]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

The preceding verses deal with an invitation to everyone in my opinion, while Heb4:12-13 seem to be the ultimate warning to Christians (the devout and those of us who believe we are devout). We are warned that God sees and hears our innermost thoughts and desires. He knows when we have allowed the world to "talk us out of" the true impact of the truth of God's word. The world about us is very busy at this task and we, being weak in ourselves and gullible, must be busier in God's word or we will not have God's clarity at our disposal.

[Patricia A]

[color="#800080"]Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
1. What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them?The WORD is the only way to true rest as it exposes who we really are and that our only hope is in Jesus Christ is Savior. It guides us to live as children of God and exposes sin, which can keep us from entering into true rest.

2. How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? The Word is described as living and active and a double-edged sword, which pierces our hearts and convicts us of the Truth. It is living and active.

3. Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?[/color]We need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God to remain strong and to be able to stand up against constant temptation from Satan.

[Patricia A]

[color="#800080"]Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
1. What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them?The WORD is the only way to true rest as it exposes who we really are and that our only hope is in Jesus Christ is Savior. It guides us to live as children of God and exposes sin, which can keep us from entering into true rest.

2. How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? The Word is described as living and active and a double-edged sword, which pierces our hearts and convicts us of the Truth. It is living and active.

3. Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?[/color]We need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God to remain strong and to be able to stand up against constant temptation from Satan.

[Ms CJ]

Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them? How is the Word described? What effect does the Word have on us? Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?

First of all let's look at the word precedes and it's meaning then we will see a more action way of the Word of God and how it works for us;

Precede is a verb, which makes it an action word and the meaning to this word shows how it moves within the words we use.

Webster;
1 : to surpass in rank, dignity, or importance
2 : to be, go, or come ahead or in front of
3 : to be earlier than
4 : to cause to be preceded : PREFACE
intransitive senses : to go or come before

In Genesis we see from the very start of creation that "God said" and then we can see what preceded;
The fall of man and how before that fall there were animals to supply the shedding of blood for man's sin. God proceeded the need.

The next 3 verses of scriptures used shows that Jesus was there waiting for the right timing to come that would proceed His Father's word in the salvation plan for mankind, doing what animals could not do and that was to give eternal life and the name of Jesus where the power and glory would manifest to perform His word that had already proceeded from His mouth.
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God and the Word was with God"
In Psalms 107:20, "He(God) sent His word and healed them"
John 3:16 states: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son and who so ever will believe in Him shall be saved"

One more verse to look at and we will move on:
Mk.4:4
Jesus answered the devil in the wilderness when being tempted to turn the bread into stone with this reply:
"Thou shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God"

Now here's the Strong's meaning of the word proceeds:

NT:1607
ekporeuomai (ek-por-yoo'-om-ahee); from NT:1537 and NT:4198; to depart, be discharged, proceed, project:
KJV - come (forth, out of), depart, go (forth, out), issue, proceed (out of).

NT:1537
ek (ek) or ex (ex); a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):
KJV - after, among, X are, at, betwixt (-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+abundantly above), for (-th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with (-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

NT:4198
poreuomai (por-yoo'-om-ahee); middle voice from a derivative of the same as NT:3984; to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove [figuratively, die], live, etc.); KJV - depart, go (away, forth, one's way, up), (make a, take a) journey, walk.

NT:3984
peira (pi'-rah); from the base of NT:4008 (through the idea of piercing); a test, i.e. attempt, experience:
KJV - assaying, trial.

NT:4008
peran (per'-an); apparently accusative case of an obsolete derivative of peiro(to "pierce");through (as adverb or preposition), i.e. across:
KJV - beyond, farther (other) side, over.

You are thinking why is she giving so much to the word precedes, when the question pertains to the two scriptures. In this text of the lesson you can't really take hold of them until you understand the word precedes and the affect it has and place it takes in the Word of God.

Clearly the Word of God goes before us, it is our amour. Paul wrote, in Eph 6:11
" Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Reread the definitions here and you see that God set this up at the beginning of time so that in His plan of mankind we would be covered and protected, that we would see that He has supplied all we will ever need to overcome and just like Jesus quoted to the devil in the wilderness;
"Thou shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God"

"12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (4:12-13)

Look at NT:3984 and NT:4008, both contain the word " pierce " and what does it say in verse 12, "it penetrates". It can't do this unless, we use God's word like a double- edged sword!

In answer to all the questions here we had to understand the depth of what has been written here and to know that God takes care of us even in our sins. We are covered and forgiven as sins in our lives our exposed and we are covered and protected from sins not yet uncovered or happened into.

The most important thing here we must learn is to renew our minds and to learn to walk with this sword in our hand. Put up that shield of faith and that sword of the spirit which is the word of God!

[bobbirich]

The writer is continuing to remind us who Jesus is

Jesus is the Word of God

God can look at our hearts, our intentions, our motives-nothing can be hidden, we cannot lie or justify ourselves

By keeping our focus on Jesus, we will be sensitive to "hear His voice" that calls us back when we drift and keeps us from going too far