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?