The NIV 365 Day Devotional

The Bible Reveals the Real You

12 For the word of God is alive 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.

Hebrews 4:12-13

Opening the Bible can often be like chatting with a friend to get encouragement. Or asking a teacher for instruction. Or seeking guidance from a mentor. Yet reading Scripture can also feel like getting cut open by a surgeon. The Bible is no ordinary book. This “alive and active” book is powered by the Holy Spirit, making its message “sharper than any double- edged sword” (Heb 4:12). It slices open your innermost parts like a scalpel splitting your joints and bones, exposing not just your thoughts but your innermost feelings and intentions. You might wonder why you shouldn’t skip over the parts of the Bible that pointedly tell you to quit sinning or challenge you to live more for God. Just remember that God never uses the Bible to cause pain for the sake of pain. Like a surgeon, he only hurts in order to heal.

Taken from the NIV Starting Place Study Bible.