The Word of God—sometimes called the Scroll—is not just spiritual guidance; it is a medicine that heals the entirety of a person’s life: body, soul, and spirit. Unlike ordinary medicines, which may heal only physical ailments, the Word of God addresses the root of all human brokenness, including sin and spiritual death. Only God’s Word can bring eternal restoration (Proverbs 4:20–22, ESV: “My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart, for they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh”).
Before taking any medicine, one must understand its nature. If we do not know how a medicine works, we may reject it when its initial taste is bitter. Many medicines are difficult to swallow; they taste bitter, and some must be swallowed whole or else vomiting may result. Yet, after digestion, the medicine works to heal, and the initial bitterness is forgotten. Similarly, the Word of God has its own spiritual “taste” and process.
The Word of God is sweet to the soul at first glance, but it can become bitter when it begins to confront our sinful nature, challenge our comfort, or call us to obedience. Unlike ordinary medicine, which is bitter at first but sweet after digestion, the Word can appear sweet in the mouth but becomes bitter in the soul as it exposes sin and demands transformation.
John’s experience with the Book of Revelation illustrates this perfectly:
Revelation 10:8–11 (ESV): “And the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke again to me, saying, ‘Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.’ So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, ‘Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.’ I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.”
Ezekiel also received a similar instruction from God:
Ezekiel 2:9–3:3 (NIV): “I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.’ So I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.”
These passages illustrate that the Word of God is initially attractive and comforting, but once internalized, it exposes sin, calls for repentance, and demands action. The sweetness draws us in, but the bitterness challenges us to surrender fully to God.
Many believers experience only the sweetness of the Gospel—the joy of salvation, the comfort of grace, and the promises of God. They rejoice at forgiveness (Romans 5:1, NIV: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”), love for sinners (John 3:16), and the riches of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Yet, for the Word to fully save, it must reach our souls and work within us, confronting sin and calling for obedience. This is the “bitterness” of God’s Word: it requires crucifying the self, taking up the cross, and following Christ fully.
Matthew 16:24–26 (ESV): “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?’”
Those who reject this process are like seeds that fell on rocky ground (Matthew 13:5–6). They enjoy the sweetness of the Gospel but fall away when persecution, trials, or the cost of obedience arises.
True salvation is not merely emotional or intellectual. It involves practical obedience: loving Christ above family and self, and being willing to face opposition (Matthew 10:34–39, NIV: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword… Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me”).
The Word of God must be “digested” fully to bear its healing power. Only by swallowing it completely—despite bitterness, trials, and spiritual discomfort—can a believer experience true transformation, sanctification, and eternal life.
The last days warn us against being lukewarm like Laodicea (Revelation 3:14–16, ESV). Complacent believers, who enjoy the sweetness of God’s Word but resist its demands, are warned that Christ will “spit them out.” To avoid this, believers must fully embrace the Word, obey its commands, and live a life surrendered to Christ—even if the world mocks, resists, or persecutes them.
The Word of God is the ultimate medicine: sweet to the taste, yet bitter to the soul until it fully transforms us. Only by fully embracing, internalizing, and obeying the Word can we experience complete healing and eternal life. The sweetness draws us in, the bitterness purifies us, and the result is a life fully restored in Christ.
May the Lord bless you and strengthen you to swallow the full Word of God and be healed completely.
Print this post
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Δ