Living By Every Word

UV 3558/10000 Living By Every Word But Jesus replied, “ It is written and forever remains written,”Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4 v 4 A “four by four” is a term applied to a vehicle that can move on all types of terrain. It is a vehicle that is sturdy, stable and able. It will not turn turtle easily even on slippery slopes or soil. Our four by four is Matthew 4 verse 4. It will enable us to traverse all types of terrain in the course of our lives. Bread is a metaphor for all our physical needs. It is also a colloquial term for money. Though these are needed, our sustenance depends on what is written in the Word of God, the words spoken by God through faithful men through the generations of Adam and Eve. The emphasis is on “every word.” We need to consume the Word, word by word, meditating on one word at a time to discover its inner spiritual nutrients, nuances, meanings and secrets. The same word may mean different things to different people in different situations of life. That is the reason the word is said to be alive, dynamic, sharp, penetrative, double-edged. A single day does not pass without the need to consume food. Likewise, every day and parts of every day should see us eating the word like necessary food. We should not eat it as if it is an imposition, a chore, a burden but we need to enjoy or delight in consuming the word of God. It is authentic, significant and authoritative as it proceeds from the mouth, implying the mind of God. When we consume the Word, the fire of God, the passion, the energy, the strength of God is invested in us. When our mind agrees with the word, we are agreeing that the mind of God, the will of God. We need to chew or masticate the Word as a cow repeatedly chews its cud. Chewing is breaking the food into smaller bits and allowing our spittle to mix with the food and allow the digestion or the breaking of the nutrients into its many parts needed for different parts of our bodies. Similarly, in meditation we break the Word into its smaller parts or bits. This ( the word) also becomes the proverbial bit in the horse’s mouth to control, direct it- the secret to the harnessing of the life -giving, enabling, enhancing, ennobling power of our own mouths. The Word is also medicine that is bitter to taste in our mouths but becomes sweet in our stomachs. It heals us of our inner ailments and prevents it, too. It is both our shield and sword. It is both a defensive and offensive weapon. It can be used to bring down strongholds built on the foundations of lies and half truths of this world. The word helps us prioritise our lives and take decisions that are good for us and others. The Word in our mouths makes us the mouthpiece of God. It is both a hammer and a fire inside us. Unlike earthly food, the more we consume it, it whets our appetite and becomes more delicious and desirable. It is sweeter than honey, more precious than gold. Unlike manna of the old covenant, it can be stored and brought out of our hearts and mouths whenever needed. It has an answer for every question and a key or solution to every real life problem. The promises in the Word are the channels of blessing. It guarantees longevity, productivity, legacy. It assures salvation and eternal life.