There is power in the word of God, whether it be printed, preached, read, taught or simply lived in a person's life.
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile)." Romans 1:16. Even in pagan Rome, Paul was not ashamed of Christ and the gospel.
I believe the chief contributing factor to our moral decline, and the spiritual impotency of the church to set the standard of morality in society, and to see the lives of its members transformed, is that too many have abandoned the word of God as their source of authority and its teachings and theologians for the ultimate in learning while Moses and Jesus Christ are relegated to a place of irrelevance. Why? Simply because the philosophers and theologians talk like men while Moses and Jesus talk like God.
The word of God has power to shock us out of our apathy and half-hearted commitment to Christ and his church. He said, "No man having put his hand to the plow (began a Christian life) and looks back (on the old life) is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62.
It has power to humble the haughty and self-righteous as seen in two men's prayers. Listen to the proud and haughty Pharisee: "God I think you that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like the publican standing over there; I fast twice a week-I tithe all I possess." He asked for nothing, for he felt no need of anything. The poor publican prayed: "God be merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:10-14.
"The word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than a two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joint and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12-13. We cannot hide anything from God: not even evil and lustful thoughts.
The word of God has power to comfort in time of sorrow and grief. It has power to sustain in time of temptation, even Jesus quoted a scripture when tempted by Satan. See Matthew 4.
The word of God assures us of a heavenly home through faith in Jesus, God's son. The apostle Paul said concerning the resurrection, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? I Corinthians 15:55.
I am convinced we are not utilizing the power of God's word to give us the guidance, the strength and the hope to live victoriously over world, the flesh and Satan's deceptions.