Letting God's Word Cut Through the Noise

1/25/2026

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

Last week from John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me,” we learned to recognize the Shepherd’s voice amid the clamor of social media, self-doubt, and our ego’s urgent demands. We named the three biblical keys –stillness, Scripture as filter, and fruit of Spirit-testing – and exposed lies like “I am not enough” with five Spirit-breathed truths. Today, let us examine more closely the second key, the tool Jesus hands us: God’s living Word as our active filter. Scripture is not meant to just sit on a shelf; right now, in our daily battles it can surgically separate ego from Spirit, soul-noise from God’s voice.  

For clarification, the term ‘soul’ has various meanings in the Bible. I will refer to our soul as is referenced in Psalm 42:1: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” This is our immaterial human nature encompassing our mind, feelings, our will, desires, and ego-driven impulses. The soul houses both ego-noise, like fear, division, pride, control, and self-reliance, as well as redemptive potential, such as rest, delight, joy, peace, and whole-hearted love. The term ‘ego’ is not a Biblical term, and refers to the ‘misaligned’ soul, yielding works of the flesh.

Hebrews 4:12 calls Scripture “living and active,” not a dusty rulebook but a sharp two-edged sword. Picture a surgeon’s scalpel: it pierces deep, dividing soul from spirit, our God-breathed core. It even detaches joints from marrow, exposing every hidden intent. God’s Word judges these assertions. When we ask: Does this align with God’s character? Is this fear-dressed-as-wisdom or faith-trusting peace? – the verdict becomes apparent.

 When we become aware of a conflicting inner thought we go back to our three keys: be still, test against God’s Word, not the world’s, and observe where that thought is taking us – what is its intention?

Here is the step-by-step process. A thought enters our head.

Step 1. Immediately become still to name the raw thought without judgment, noting its emotional tone – urgent fear signals soul and ego intent, while calm peace hints at spirit.

Step 2. Apply God’s Word as a scalpel: Does it match God's character and promises.

Step 3. The exposed intent emerges: self-focused distortion (works of the flesh,), vs. Christ-aligned truth, (fruits of Spirit). Division and anxiety indicate the ego. Love, joy, and peace indicate Spirit. Always follow the peaceful path.

Step 4 is to take the necessary action revealed by the filtration process.

If you are like me, you might think, “Well, what are some of the Bible verses we use to reveal the ego’s intentions. I will help with that. Here are some common thoughts the ego tries to get us to believe, the common drive behind the thought, the verses to test God’s word, the exposed intention by the Word, and the action to take.

1.  “I am not enough.” The ego tells us we are inadequate. Hold that up against the truth of Genesis 1:27 – We are created in God’s image, or 2 Corinthians12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you.” These verses reveal that the ego is telling us that because we are inadequate, we should feel shame and feel isolated from God and everyone else. Through these verses Spirit is leading us to realize that Christ’s grace completes us, and that we should rest in the Lord.

2.  “I must fix or control this.” The ego tells us that we must control situations and others. The truth is in Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Also, Matthew 6:34, “Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself.” The ego wants us to manage everything ourself, out of fear and lack of trust. We are self-reliant, says the ego. Yet, Spirit is guiding us to pray, and release to God all our concerns, and trust His timing and plans.

3.  Another common thought is, “They hurt me. I will show no mercy.” Compare that thought to Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Also, Matthew 6:14-15, which says that “if we forgive others God will forgive us. If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us.” We cannot genuinely live in the stream of God’s mercy and at the same time stubbornly dam up that mercy toward others. Jesus is telling us that a forgiven heart, filtered by the Word and led by the Spirit, will inevitably be drawn toward forgiveness, even if slowly and painfully, because that is the Shepherd’s own heart. The ego is revealed to have us seek division and return a hurt for a hurt, while Spirit teaches us to extend grace as Christ forgave, and to seek peace at a spiritual level.

4.  Sometimes we think, “They owe me; I nurse this grudge.” Ego wants us to be resentful, because it is a way to separate us from others.   Yet hear Colossians 3:13: Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Also, Romans 12:19: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Obviously, the Ego wants us to feel bitterness and seek payback. But our spiritual nature lovingly suggests the truth of forgiving all offense, and pray for them. Pray that their heart might be opened to the love of Christ.

5.  Another ego thought is: “They have it better than me.” The ego wants us to compare ourselves with others to create envy or superiority. But hear the truth ring through in Galatians 6:4 – “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” Also, Psalm 37:1-4 – “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” This verse exposes the ego’s attempt to build jealousy and discontent. Spirit reveals to our hearts that we should rejoice in our unique gifts, talents, and calling.

6.  The last one for today is this thought: “If I try, I will just fail.” The ego wants us to feel the fear of failure. But God tells us just the opposite in Joshua 1:9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Also, Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” These verses expose the intentions of the ego – to produce paralysis in us and doubt. And Spirit pulls us forward, asking us to call on Christ’s strength, and step boldly into God’s loving light.

Philosopher Dallas Willard nails it: “The greatest saint was once a miserable sinner, but the Word discerned and transformed.” I recommend journaling one thought a day. Pause at the thought, apply a verse, note the intent, obey the peaceful path.  Intent clarifies quickly when we are paying attention.  

Our goal is to let God’s Word cut through the noise of the world so we can hear the voice of the Shepherd.  Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” Jesus stands ready and waiting. He knocks on the door of our heart and enters when we let him in.

It is my prayer that we understand that God’s Word is not something to fear; it is no blunt tool – it is a two-edged sword that can both judge and save, cutting away what harms and laying us open to God’s healing truth. His Word penetrates deeply and lovingly, reaching thoughts and motives, not just outward behavior. It reveals every intention and frees us to follow the Shepherd alone. It is my prayer that we tune our ear to the Shepherd’s voice by applying the Word-filter, and step into His abundance today.

Journal One Thought Per Today: Pause. Test. Obey Peace. Hear the voice of our Shepherd.