DAILY ENCOUNTER

THE WORD IS SPIRIT AND LIFE

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63

Glory to God! Man is a spirit who has a soul and lives in a body. Man is not merely his physical appearance, abilities, limitations, or physical characteristics. The real man is the spirit within the body. While the body gives us physical expression in this world, our spiritual nature is what gives us life, consciousness, and the capacity to connect with God. This is why we see people accomplishing extraordinary things despite physical limitations. A person may be blind physically and yet possess extraordinary musical ability, playing an instrument with remarkable precision. Another may have physical limitations in his hands and yet become an exceptional guitarist. We have seen people with severe physical disabilities rise to become influential leaders, preachers, musicians, writers, inventors, and sources of inspiration to millions. Their physical limitations did not define the possibilities of their lives because there was something greater operating within them. There is a dimension of life that cannot be adequately explained by what the physical eyes can see. The spirit of a man can perceive, imagine, believe, create, and express possibilities beyond physical limitations. This is why Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing.” The flesh has limitations, but the spirit has capacity. Therefore, if we understand that man is a spirit, we must also understand what the spirit feeds upon. Just as the human body requires physical food to remain strong and healthy, the human spirit requires spiritual nourishment. The food of the spirit is words. 

Words are powerful because they carry invisible forces that produce visible results. You cannot physically see a word, but you can see its effect. A spoken word can encourage a broken heart, awaken faith, inspire courage, destroy confidence, build relationships, or change the direction of a person's life. Words may be invisible, but their consequences can become very visible. Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” This means that the words carry spiritual substance and life-giving power. The Word of God is therefore the lifeline of spiritual vitality. When a person continually feeds on God's Word, the spirit becomes strengthened to express the life of God. The bankruptcy of words produces spiritual famine. When the Word of God is absent from a person's life, the spirit becomes deprived of the nourishment it needs to function effectively. Just as prolonged physical starvation weakens the body, spiritual starvation weakens one's ability to walk in faith, discern God's will, resist temptation, and live victoriously. The Word of God is spirit because it comes from the Spirit and communicates spiritual realities. It is life because it carries the power to quicken what has become weak, awaken what has become dormant, restore what has been damaged, and give strength to what has become weary. Two things quickly: always speak positive words, be an agent of positive words into the lives of people, and always maintain an environment of right words. The Word is spirit, and the Word is life! Don't joke with words. Hallelujah!!!

FURTHER STUDY

1 Peter 1:23; Proverbs 4:20–22; Hebrews 4:12

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Am I feeding my spirit consistently with the Word of God, or am I allowing the cares and voices of the world to become my primary source of nourishment?
2. What area of my life needs the life-giving power of God's Word today, and what Scripture can I deliberately meditate upon and speak over that area?

PRAYERS

Father, thank You for giving me Your Word, which is spirit and life. Help me to continually feed my spirit with Your Word and walk in the life, strength, and victory it produces in Jesus's name