Is not my word like as a fire? Saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29).

To the sinner the word of God is as an offense, but to those who love the Lord the word is their defense. Jesus is known as the rock of offense and to those who believe they are not ashamed to speak it as they serve Him. (Romans 9:33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (1 Peter 2:6-10).

Paul knew of the defense the word was to him as he preached for it was life or even death that the word with all boldness would be spoken! (Philippians 1:15-21).  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

It is by the Holy Spirit are Gods people moved to speak, and it will on one level be edification to the hearer seeking truth yet for those who do not want to hear or abide by the word it will fall as fire upon wood to them. (Jeremiah 5:11-14). For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the Lord. They have belied the Lord, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.