We know the Word is essential – scripture is clear on that, and I write about it frequently. The other day I saw something new, reading in The Passion Translation. Before I share what I saw, let’s remind ourselves:

• The Word is like food.

It was then the devil said to him, “If you are really the Son of God, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread for you.”Jesus replied, “I will not! For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Life does not come only from eating bread but from God. Life flows from every revelation from his mouth.’” (Luke 4.3, 4, TPT)

• The Word is like water.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ 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, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5.25 – 27, ESV)

• Here’s the new one: the Word is like air! (And that’s pretty essential!!)

Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans. I open my mouth and inhale the word of God because I crave the revelation of your commands. (Psalm 119.130, 131, TPT)

I wrote last Thursday about complacency – about the people who actually lost God’s word. If we really believed the Word was as essential as food, water, and air, we wouldn’t neglect it, would we?