Electric Fences

Cows were a prevalent part of the scenery when I was growing up. There was a bull inside of an electric fence down the street whom my junior high school friends and I used to dare each other to sneak up on, smack on the behind, and then sprint back before getting run down by him. Being gangly, awkward young men meant that none of us were all that confident about our odds of survival. That bull was really menacing looking, to boot. None of us ever accomplished the feat, which, to a group of 1980s adolescent teen boys, was like a concession that we still weren’t “man enough” to do something really dangerous.

To save face, we’d take the lesser dare and watch in fevered anticipation while each of us touched the electric fence (looking back, I wonder if that bull ever said to itself, “Morons!”). Depending on the character, reactions varied from, “That didn’t hurt that much” to a person rivaling a Broadway actor, rolling around on the ground as if someone had cut off their finger (this, of course, all part of a charade to win back some of the pride they lost earlier).

A shock from an electric fence is uncomfortable. If my memory serves me correctly, it’s just enough to keep you from touching it again, and if you do, immediately stopping. It’s not something you easily forget, that’s for sure. It’s painful. I guess this is why there are warning signs surrounding and/or attached to them.

Electric fences are great deterrents, especially to those who have been shocked by one.

I was reading the Book of Hebrews the other day and it occurred to me that the Bible is like an electric fence for those against God. If the human flesh “touches” it, a jolt of discomfort is received that it will always remember. Here’s why:


The Word of God is compared to a Roman gladius sword, which was ideally suited for both cutting and thrusting. That sounds mighty painful for someone on the receiving end, doesn’t it? In spiritual language, this means that the Word of God is able to cut right to the root of a person, where “no creature is hidden” from its power to do so. This is a painful reality for the human flesh.

Those who remain insensitive to God’s voice in Holy Scripture will discover that God’s Word is also an omnipotent, lethal weapon.

Exposure to God’s Word entails exposure to God, Himself.


The above verse is how the writer of Hebrews, who describes the Word of God as “living and active” (indicating ability to perform its own utterance with absolute power), expresses that God’s Word ought to be feared! Other writers express it in these ways-


For unbelievers still postured against the holy, sovereign God of the Universe, the Word of God is menacing, intrusive, and downright painful to come into contact with. This is precisely why an obstinate person hardens their hearts towards God’s Word – it’s a protective measure for their human flesh. Have you ever encountered someone with a hardened heart towards God? It's as though there’s a blockade between the two of you, as they are often openly callous as a result of persistently rejecting God. Eventually, God allows them to seal their own fate (Romans 1:18-32).

For a humble believer, the Word of God (though it may “sting” sometimes as it lays naked our infirmities) is utterly beautiful and inviting.



I suppose in some ways, once saved, we become more like the cow inside the electric fence than the moronic teenager on the outside, huh? In a way, we are zapped by the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit as He uses the Word to prod us from venturing outside the sphere of God’s will. I bet you never thought I’d be closing this blog by comparing you to a cow, huh? LOL! For the record, cows are my second favorite animal on Earth.


Love in Christ,

Ed Collins