Hebrews 4:12 English Standard Version (ESV) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Yesterday we spoke about the heart being prepared. Today let us address how the Word is involved in that work.

The first thing we should address is the issue of the living Word and its activity.

As disciples we study the Word privately and together and in discipleship classes, and in teachings. The process begins with reading, defining, memorizing, discussing and correcting any errors we might encounter during those studies.

Our initial study renews our minds, changing the way we think. We do this with every human effort to come to a proper understanding. Being rational people we reason things out to clear our conscience from the sinful things we did in our former life. Forgiveness that is felt is an emotional experience not a spiritual one.

The Word is active in that it will show us the differences between the soul and the spirit. That is not something that can be seen with eyes of flesh. The Word is active in us to open our spiritual ears and eyes. That is not emotional, it is spiritual. It is the Word of God that reveals truth apart from the way we once reasoned things out with our minds.

We discussed how Christ is preparing our hearts and protecting our hearts but the initial spreading of the Word is in the mind. Those are separate from the intentions of the heart. We have a rational understanding of the bible based on human traits but how to take them to heart is by revelation by the spirit at a time that is safe for the heart to accept those truths.

Revealed truth is not emotional, it is spiritual.