For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Sometimes the things we need to hear about ourselves aren’t “easy to hear”, but when God says them they are always necessary. Can you imagine how Peter would have felt when Jesus told him that he wasn’t as loyal as he thought he was. Or, consider how the teachers of the law and Pharisees would have felt when Jesus declared, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
No one can more incisively speak about our identity than God can. Please prayerfully reflect on the passage of scripture above.
Something to think about:
How do you practically remain open to the Bible operating as a judge of the thoughts and attitudes of your heart?
February 20, 2018 at 6:45 am
When I read the bible, undoubtedly there are mixed emotions. The Lord tends to allow situations for us to practically live out what we read by applying what we read. Sometimes I’m victorious and sometimes I fail. These situations help me to see the condition of my thoughts and my heart. As the Bible itself says we are to be not just hearers of the Word only but doers also so as not to deceive ourselves (James 1:22) This is easier said than done. It really takes us submitting ourselves to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to do what He does best through us.
February 20, 2018 at 7:31 am
For me, I think I actually need to work on this more. Admittedly, at times I can be more willing to accept criticism or guidance from the people around me than to remain open to the Bible’s correction in my life. This discussion is a great eye-opener!
February 20, 2018 at 8:12 am
This happens for me sometimes in reading a verse, hearing a song, hearing a message, in prayer or talking to others. Practically speaking I have to be open to this “judgment.” It is a practiced behavior. I don’t like being inspected by others. It is usually done to find faults. But with God this inspection is done to awaken me to the things that are not in alignment with the identity He has for me.
February 20, 2018 at 3:31 pm
I do not think it would be a problem for me to accept the correction the Bible gives but I need to familiarize myself with the readings more.
I do have to work on accepting criticism from humans though.
Maybe I need to work on this one ):
February 20, 2018 at 10:03 pm
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 This verse in conjunction with the verse in Hebrews tells me that when I read, meditate, reflect, journal, process and study i.e. expose my mind and my heart to the bible, spending significant and meaningful time in it, it is like having a counselling session with
God! Things will be revealed. There will be a correlation between the amount of quality time spent engaged with the Word and the amount of conviction leading to confession, repentance and transformation. If I truly, truly grounded in God’s love for me in His Son then I will not feel vulnerable under God’s judgement of my thoughts and attitudes but would actually desire it to become more like Him.
February 20, 2018 at 10:14 pm
Imagine the possibility of getting feedback from a source that is reliable, that if taken seriously, will lead to us living out the abundant life.
We have unlimited access to that source.
February 21, 2018 at 11:18 pm
By using the analogy of a judge trying my case and pronouncing me either innocent or guilty. The Bible does just that! But God is the ultimate Judge of my thoughts and attitudes. If I am innocent I bask in my freedom in Christ, based on His Word that it’s by grace that I am saved, not by works. If I am guilty, I acknowledge my guilt before the Judge and ask my Lawyer, the Lord Jesus Christ, to appeal the guilty verdict on my behalf. Of course, i would have already known that the Judge would pronounce me “not guilty” when my Lawyer presents my case!