How do we know God's Word is transformative?

The transformative power of God's Word is evident in its ability to penetrate the human heart. In Jeremiah 23:29, God's Word is likened to a hammer that breaks rock into pieces. This metaphor illustrates how stubborn, hardened hearts can be softened and made receptive by the truths in Scripture. Through the preaching and reading of God's Word, individuals experience conviction and come to understand their need for salvation. This process can manifest as a dramatic conversion experience, like that of Saul of Tarsus, or a more gradual opening of the heart, as seen in Lydia's conversion. Ultimately, the consistent testimony of Scripture is that when God's Word is faithfully proclaimed and rightly applied, it leads to genuine change and growth in believers' lives.