Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
When I was twelve I was helping with some construction work at a church in Ohio. During this time two young men, probably in their 20’s, started to befriend me. We would discuss the Bible and I would see them in church on Sunday. They met my mother and everything on the outside when we saw them said they were Christ followers.
So when they asked me and my mother if I could go to a campground for a retreat, she nor I saw anything wrong. If anything we thought it would be a great time for me to be mentored by some strong young Christian men, as they were lacking in my life at the time (besides Frank who took over after my grandfather died).
I wish I could say that it was a wonderful time of worshiping God and growing in my faith, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. These two “Christian” men had other ideas of what would happen, and started trying to touch too much and act in ways that made me very, very uncomfortable. I ended up having to hide and call my mother to come and get me at the camp. I remained hid until I saw them come through the opening to the camp grounds and then we left immediately.
These two men were not what they said they were. On the outside they knew all the right answers and even could act like a “believer,” but when it came to their true motives and intentions they were anything but Christ like. Sooner or later our inner self will catch up with our outer actions.
The danger with this verse as with most verses in the Bible is that we tend to just glaze over them, and not take them as seriously as we should. Read this verse a couple of times and truly take it into your soul, then listen. What is being said about your thoughts and the intent of your heart? Take some time to examine yourself and see how you line up to the will of God.
This is a time to be honest with yourself. No one is around, so there is no one to impress. Besides God knows already what is really in there. We tend to make a mountain out of a mole hill when it comes to how “great” we think we are as Christians. “I go to church. I tithe. I am a pretty good person, especially compared to. . . .” Is that what this verse is talking about? I do not think so.
How many of you were ever in church and mad at someone? You just sat there seething instead of truly worshipping your Savior. How many men out there spent too much time looking at a woman rather then worshiping God? How many women were more concerned what others thought about what they were wearing rather then worshipping God? How many start looking at their watch when the sermon is supposed to be over and you may be late getting home to watch a sporting event or getting your children to a sporting event? What does this say to your family is more important, God or sports?
What about outside church? Do partake in dirty jokes and laugh or tell them yourself? Do you gossip about someone that has hurt you, or you do not like? What are you watching on T.V.? What are you reading and listening to on the radio? Do you use coarse language? Drink one too many? Look at pornography (soft or hard)? Do you entertain sinful thoughts (you decide which ones)?
The point is this. We say that on the outside we are alright, but when it comes to God searching out our intentions and thoughts, do they line up? Are you truly outside as you are on the inside? If not, why not? Many of us say we are followers of Christ and devoted to Him, but everything else says differently.
If someone were to watch your life Monday through Saturday would they have any idea you were a believer? What would I learn if I watched your life? Would I learn about witnessing? Would I see an excitement about church and how to invite those around you? Would I learn about the Bible because it is discussed at the dinner table or throughout the week in one fashion or another? Would I see Christ in your actions?
How would you measure up? Is Christ really your everything; more important than anything else in your life? Or is He just “what we are supposed to do on Sunday?” Is He just what I do around other believers or my pastor?
When your inner life catches up to your outer life what will be the results? If your inner life lines up with your faith then take time to thank God for doing such a work in you.
God sees your inner thoughts and the intent of your heart. What will be said on your day of judgment? Well done good and faithful servant or go away, as I never knew you?
It is time to take a serious look at what we truly believe and then live it!!!
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