Discerning the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart

For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

           

            Discerning simply means to perceive or recognize something.  God’s Word is alive and it has a lot of power, including the power to discern.  It is so powerful and sharp, in fact, that it is sharper than a two-edged sword.  A two-edged sword is a sword that has been sharpened on both sides. This allows it to be used as a deadly weapon during the time of battle. Using a two-edged sword allows its user to respond quickly to more than one opponent. 

When we have put God’s Word (the Bible) in our hearts through reading it, doing it, meditating on it and speaking it, then it has become alive in us by revelation.  God, by His precious Holy Spirit, reveals His will to us in various areas of our lives.  The revelation comes as we read the Bible, pray, talk to others, hear the Word of God preached, etc.  In other words, revelation (unveiling) can come at any time or in any place.

God’s Word helps us to know, perceive and recognize our own thoughts and motives.  Not only that but, it also helps us to be able to know, perceive and recognize the thoughts and motives of others.  I’m not talking about suspicion, paranoia or being critical.  I’m talking about a spiritual gift from God that does not come through natural means or book learning.  This knowing is from a spiritual revelation from God’s Spirit to our spirit.

A good example of this can be found in the book of Matthew 9:1-8.

And He entered into a boat, and passed over, and came into His own city.

And, behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed; and Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, this man blasphemeth.

And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why think ye evil in your hearts?

For which is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

But that ye many know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (then saith He to the sick of the palsy), Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

And he arose, and departed to his house.

But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, who had given such power unto men.

Jesus discerned the thoughts of the religious leaders who were around Him.  Not only did He discern their thoughts but, He also responded to them as if they had verbally proclaimed them!  He was neither afraid nor hesitant at boldly and courageously exposing the hidden motives and intentions in people’s minds and hearts. 

We are to be the same way.  When God reveals to us the hidden motives of others, we should not shrink back from responding the way He tells us to respond.  If He says to keep silent and pray for that person, then keep silent and pray.  Tell no one. If He says to privately talk to that person, then privately talk to that person. If He says to confront, don’t back down, stand your ground then, confront, don’t back down. Stand your ground.  Whatever He tells you to do, do it. Obey Him.  Just make sure it’s Him and not your own imagination or hidden desires and motives.  You will know it’s Him giving you wisdom by the fact that it will line up with His Word, the Bible.

I would like to encourage you to have a time set aside each day to pray and read your Bible.  As you study His Word, you will learn the voice of that Word.  When you hear that same voice speak to your heart in everyday situations, you will immediately recognize it and obey it. God’s blessings to you and yours.

Scriptures for meditation: St. John 10:1-5  God’s sheep know His voice.