Hebrews 4:12c

Hebrews 4:12c

The thoughts and attitudes of the heart

One final meditation on the power of the Word of God. Note that we are told that it judges “the thoughts and attitudes of the heart!” This is not easy reading because we are all aware that our hearts are not as pure and holy as we would like them to be! The good news is that nobody needs to ever know what we are thinking or what our intentions and desires and motivations really are. We can live in a thousand fantasy worlds and constantly ruminate over countless images and ideas without anyone ever knowing about it. Isn’t it great to have secrets and to know that even those closest to us are unable to discover what goes on in our hearts? Every one of us has a secret place, a place that our nearest and dearest know nothing about.

The trouble is, God knows! Not only that, but His sword penetrates and discerns what lies hidden and it exposes the secrets. At first, He warns us and pleads with us to deal with the issues privately, just between us and Him. Sadly, if we do not, we can be guilty of letting the mask slip so that others can catch a glimmer of what is going on or, alternatively, the enemy preys on our secrets until something happens and they are exposed! That is why the Lord pleads with us, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” 

It’s a strange thing that study of God’s Word can be the most exciting and liberating occupation, that fill us with hope, peace and great joy but, it can also be a condemning and painful experience because the all-searching eye of the Lord uncovers our inner thoughts and attitudes and leaves us ashamed and deeply challenged. Honesty, confession and repentance, obedience and faith, however, are the doorways to a deeper and more fruitful relationship with our God and with His Word. Every time we open His book, He picks up His sword and speaks to us. No wonder the enemy hates the Bible and does everything to keep us from its truths, and no wonder that those who discipline themselves to spend time with this sacred Book grow stronger in faith day by day.  

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