Symbols Used For the Bible

Part Eight

Various symbols are used to help us better understand the practical impact it can have on our lives

A Mirror

James 1:23-25 – For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.

It’s called a mirror because it reflects the mind of God and the true condition of man

A Seed

James 1:18 – In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.

1 Pet. 1:23 – for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.

It’s called a seed, because once properly planted, it will bring forth life and fruit

Water

Eph. 5:25-27 – Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.

It’s called water because of it’s cleansing and refreshing qualities

A Lamp

Ps. 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.

Prov. 6:23 – For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life,

2 Pet. 1:19 – And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place…

It’s called a lamp because it guides us with it’s light and keeps us from falling

A Sword

Eph. 6:17 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Heb. 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

It’s called a sword because of it’s piercing ability. It works equally well with both saved and unsaved

Precious Metals

Ps. 12:6 – The words of the Lord are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.

Ps. 19:10 – They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Ps. 119:127 – Therefore I love Thy commandments Above gold, yes, above fine gold.

It’s referred to as precious metals because of its desirability and value

A Hammer

Jer. 23:29 – “Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?

It’s referred to as a hammer because of it’s ability to tear down and build up

Nourishing Food

Ps. 19:10 – They are sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Heb. 5:12-14 – For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

1 Pet. 2:2 – like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

It’s referred to as nourishing food because of the strength it imparts

A Fire

Jer. 20:9 – But if I say, “I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name,” Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it.

Luke 24:32 – And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”

It’s referred to as fire because of its judging, purifying, and consuming abilities

The use of these various symbols should help us to see the tremendous value and how practical the Word of God really is