17. The Pruning Knife—

John 15:3 (NRSV) You have already been cleansed by the word 

that I have spoken to you.

Q: What is the pruning knife of our Heavenly Vine-grower?

The knife is the Word of God—sharper than any two-edged sword, that pierces even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit. It is quick to discern the thoughts and intentions of one’s heart.

Many believers think that affliction is the pruning knife of God however, it is only when affliction leads to the discipline of the Word that it can be a blessing—the lack of heart-cleansing through the Word is the reason why affliction is so often unsanctified. Not even Paul's thorn in the flesh could become a blessing until Christ's Word—My strength is made perfect in weakness—had made him see the danger of self-exaltation, and made him willing to rejoice in infirmities.

2 Corinthians 12:10 (The Message) — 10 Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

From the opening of His Ministry in the Sermon on the Mount to His Words of warning in the last night, His Word had tried and cleansed His Disciples. He had discovered and condemned all there was of self and they were now emptied and cleansed—ready for the incoming of the Holy Spirit.

It is as we give up our own thoughts and yield heartily, humbly and patiently, to the teaching of the Word by Holy Spirit that Father God will do His blessed work of pruning and cleansing away all of nature and self that mixes with our work and hinders His Holy Spirit. Along with our surrender and yieldedness may we in our study of the Word, receive it as a hammer that breaks and opens up—as a fire that melts and refines—as a sword that lays bare and slays all that is of the flesh. The Word of conviction will prepare us for the Word of comfort and of hope, and the Father cleanses us through His Word.

John 15:3 (The Message) You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.