Every Word

Matthew 4:4 NIV Jesus answered, It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

In a culture obsessed with the latest fad diets, it is easy to read Matthew 4:4 and interpret that Jesus is expressing his concern about eating too many carbs. But Jesus was not concerned about what we eat but about how we live.

Alive and living are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but actually have very different meanings. In New Testament Greek there are two words for live. One is zōē: the presence of physical life, referring to being biologically functional and having the ability to grow and reproduce. The other is zaō: referring to being truly alive, active, blessed, abundant, and endless in the kingdom of God. Zaō includes not only biological existence but living a fully restored, loving relationship with God and one another. While all living beings are alive, not all that are alive are truly living.

Jesus was speaking to the woman at the well and said, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” (John 4:10). The living water Jesus offered was zaō; a life that is abundant, thriving, and blessed. Jesus is offering her a life truly worth living and not one of mere existence. It is the difference between experiencing an exhilarating life of peace, joy, and fulfillment or an artificially sustained life, like a patient on life support. One is truly living; the other is just being kept alive. Jesus is offering for us to live a life fully satisfied in Him, forgiven, redeemed, and in constant relationship. Not a life without trials, challenges, or pain, but an abundant life characterized by a depth of purpose and joy that transcends those circumstances. This abundance flows from a deep, intimate relationship with God the Father and cannot be taken away by the trials or setbacks of this world.

How do we get and sustain zaō, an abundant life? It begins with Jesus, who removed every barrier which separated us from a deep, abiding relationship with God the Father. That includes the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, whose job is to lead us into all truth and remind us of every word that comes from the mouth of God. John 1:14 states, “The Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” Jesus himself was the physical manifestation of God’s word, and He is the only source of zaō life. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh provides no benefit; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life” (John 6:63).

The Word which Jesus spoke of brings fulfillment to a life of emptiness, and peace to a world of chaos. In Genesis 1, the earth was empty and dark until God spoke the words “Let there be light” and darkness had to flee. In Mark 4:39, as the great storm threatened to sink the disciples ship until Jesus spoke the word, "Peace be still!" and they were safe. Every breakthrough in life begins with a word from the Lord. Isaiah 55:10-11 promises that just as the rain comes down to produce an abundant crop, “it is the same with my word. I send it out and it always produces fruit.”

This abundant, zaō life is when we experience God's presence empowered by the life-giving Word. It is a life of meaning, purpose, and deep fulfillment—a life overflowing with God's grace, peace, and joy. It’s about letting go of the goal of comfort in exchange for the adventure of a surrendered life.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

John 11:25-26 NASB Jesus said to Martha, I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe?

John 6:35 NLT Jesus said, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

1 Peter 2:2 TPT In the same way that nursing infants cry for milk, you must intensely crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word. For this milk will cause you to grow into maturity, fully nourished and strong for life.

Psalms 42:1 NLT As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.

Psalms 63:1-5 NLT O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3 NLT Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether you would obey his commands. Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

John 6:63 NLT The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John 6:35 NLT Jesus said, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Matthew 5:6 NIV Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Psalms 107:8-9 NLT Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Proverbs 10:3 NLT The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.

Ephesians 5:18 NLT Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 55:1-3 TPT Listen! Are you thirsty for more? Come to the refreshing waters and drink. Even if you have no money, come, buy, and eat. Yes, come and buy all the wine and milk you desire— it won’t cost a thing. Why spend your hard-earned money on something that can’t nourish you or work so hard for something that can’t satisfy? So listen carefully to me and you’ll enjoy a sumptuous feast, delighting in the finest of food. Pay attention and come closer to me, and hear, that your total being may flourish. I will enter into an everlasting covenant with you, and I will show you the same faithful love that I showed David.

Isaiah 58:11 NLT The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.