The Source and Power of the Word

The General Message of the Lecture

The lecture emphasizes that the power of the word does not come from eloquence or the abundance of speech, but from the fact that the word comes from God and is granted by the Holy Spirit, whether to the speaker or the listener. The true divine word is living and effective, penetrating the heart and transforming the listener from mere emotion to change and action.

The Core Spiritual Teaching

• His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the apostles did not speak from themselves, but asked God to give them a word at the opening of their mouths; therefore, their word was powerful and effective.
• The Apostle Paul, despite his knowledge and strength, asked for the prayers of the people so that God might grant him the word, showing the humility of the servant and his total dependence on the Holy Spirit.
• The word that God gives carries a double power: power in the mouth of the speaker and power in the heart of the listener, granting acceptance, conviction, and the ability to act.
• The teaching links the word with life, for “the word of God is spirit and life,” and it becomes within the person a work, behavior, and fruit.
• God sends His word personally to each individual at a specific time: through the Gospel, prayer, Psalms, sermons, the liturgy, or even during times of distress and illness.
• The lecture stresses the importance of discerning “the word of God sent to you,” not merely hearing general speech, using examples such as Moses, Saint Anthony, Peter, Paul, and the Ethiopian eunuch.
• The spiritual person is the one who has ears to hear and can discern the voice of God and respond to it.
• The conclusion emphasizes that the goal of hearing the word is not temporary emotion, but to store it in the heart so that it may grow, take root, and bear fruit in daily life.

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