Be careful, swords are sharp

May 17th, 2026
by Bruce Smith

For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, and it pierces more sharply than a two-edged sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.
-Hebrews 4:12 (TPT)

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November 24, 2018 – I haven’t memorized scripture in so long, I think I have forgotten much of what I once knew so well. Is memorizing scripture a discipline we should practice? Upon reflection, I think so, as long as we understand the context and original intent and meaning of every verse. That may very well be the most important task we undertake with scripture.

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I don’t remember making a conscious decision to stop memorizing scripture, it just happened over time. Knowing God’s word is super-helpful. I think the reason that it faded from my habits is because of our tendency to memorize individual verses without paying attention to the context in which the verse appears. Lots of people have been hurt over the years by verses taken out of context and wielded like weapons to make a point. So, it comes down to this, Yes, by all means, memorize scripture. You never know when it will be exactly what you need.

Then, let integrity lead the way. Study to know what the writer meant when he was writing to the original audience. Look for principles that can be universally applied. Read it all, especially the New Testament, over and over again. And lastly, scripture isn’t meant to be a weapon against people. It’s a love story. Even as a weapon against our enemy, it is the love of Christ that sets us free and cannot be overcome by any scheme, accusation, or deception. So, be careful, swords are sharp!