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. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:12-13

The word of God judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart; there are no longer any excuses when God’s word intervenes.

I think there are two commonly held but not useful beliefs about God based on the same truth, that God can see our hearts. First, people think God is some sort of cosmic Santa Claus, counting up our bad thoughts and shaking his head in disappointment as he takes away blessings one by one. Alternatively, people believe that God is apathetic to the condition of the heart as long as the actions that believers perform are good deeds.

This is where an understanding of the Word is important for believers. A living and active word of God entering into the life of a follower of Christ divides the intentions of the believer, the thoughts and attitudes. Our priorities and values are exposed by the word, so that we must account for those internal thoughts and the resulting actions (Mark 7:20-23).

For the Spiritually mindful believer, this is a wonderful opportunity for reflection and change. We can see our shortcomings of the heart and correct them to be in line with the word. So we no longer live in fear of God’s disappointment in us or lax, believing God to be uncaring. Instead, we take the instruction of our Father’s word to heart and grow.

Ethan Kirl