“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged 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.”

A good knife is absolutely vital for any outdoorsman. I couldn’t tell you how many times in a deer season I pull out my knife to use it, in fact, I probably couldn’t get by without one at times. From cutting straps, trimming a couple pesky twigs, notching that tag that’s been burning a hole in our back pocket, to field dressing, skinning, and quartering our hard earned deer, our knives get to put to work all season long. For some, they run to a local sporting goods store and buy the first Gerber they see on sale, some might go with something like an Outdoor Edge where they can quickly switch out a dull blade for a fresh one in seconds, but for others they might purchase a fine, hand-made knife that will last them a lifetime. I chose the latter of the three, but as long as it is sharp, it’ll work. The difference, I might be able to go months without having to sharpen my knife, while others might have to stop and sharpen their knife, or switch out blades twice just to finish the daunting task of getting their deer broken down.

We as sportsman take deep consideration into what we will take into the woods with us, why? Because it could literally mean the difference in success and failure, being comfortable or being miserable, even life and death.

The same is true in my every day life. If I don’t have the tools to succeed spiritually, it could mean the difference in success and failure, falling into temptation or overcoming, being full of doubt and fear or overwhelmed with joy, and yes, even life and death. So what does Hebrews 4:12 mean?

“Given the context of this passage, loaded with Old Testament references, this is clearly about the written Scriptures. Specifically, that the ultimate measuring stick for our obedience to God is His Word. Hebrews 3:12 warns Christians to “take care” against having a heart of unbelief. The only way to properly diagnose this condition is with the Bible. The imagery used here in Hebrews is popular, but easily misunderstood by a modern reader. The Greek word translated “sword” is machairan, often used generically for a “sword” or “dagger” in the New Testament. However, the same word is also used to describe the blade wielded by Peter in Gethsemane (John 18:10). To modern eyes, Peter’s weapon was less of a soldier’s sword and more of a large fisherman’s knife. In fact, a fisherman’s machairan was primarily meant for cutting flesh —unlike true military “swords” which were tougher but less razor-sharp.

Whether military “sword” or meat-cutter’s “knife,” this perspective makes the metaphor of this verse all the more vivid. The “sword” is said to separate the “joints and marrow,” probably a reference to tendons, ligaments, and other meaty parts. These are from the

 Greek words harmōn and myelōn. These tissues are hidden away, hard to reach, and seemingly indistinguishable. A sharp blade, such as a machairan, can uncover and separate these things.” -BibleRef.com

The Word of God, the Bible is my tool, I need it in my every day life. Without the word of God I have no guidance, I have nothing to fight for me, I can’t know the difference between right and wrong, I can’t know the will of God. The Bible teaches me how to be a father, how to be a husband, how to be an employee, how to treat those who do wrong by me, how to love, how to handle anger, how to handle my finances, gives me hope, gives me joy, and the beauty of it all, it can do the same for you. If we put so much thought into what we take into the woods for success, isn’t it about time we start taking into consideration what help us succeed in our everyday life?