“God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions” (Hebrews 4:12 GW).
Our inner motives and intentions seem to be a subject of great interest to God. Of course, knowing that God will judge the unseen motives behind our actions might be an unsettling thought, and may explain why many choose to avoid this subject entirely. But even though there are some who are quite sophisticated in masking their intentions, nothing is hidden from God.
Therefore, we would be wise to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in examining our motives under the illumination of God’s Word. For example…
- Do we seek to honor ourselves or do we seek to honor God in our thoughts and actions? As we’re told in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, “…We didn’t speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives” (CEV).
- Are there ulterior motives that lurk behind a facade of spirituality in our lives?
- What is our basis for decision-making? Do we routinely choose whatever seems easiest or best for us, or do we consider God’s Word first in our decision-making process?
- Are we acting selfishly or unselfishly?
- Do we consider the needs of others, or are we primarily concerned with ourselves?
- What motivates our good works? Do they spring from a desire to honor God with the time, talent, and opportunities He provides, or do we do such things to elicit praise from others?
So, this portion of Scripture reminds us that God is concerned with our internal motives as well as our external actions. To borrow a phrase from Hebrews 4:12, this represents something of a two-edged sword. For example, the New Testament Gospel of John tells us, “…whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God” (John 3:21 NIV). If our thoughts and intentions are good, then we should welcome God’s scrutiny in those areas.
On the other hand, the fact that we will be held accountable for such things should provoke a sense of dread or apprehension in those who are unprepared to meet a holy, righteous, and morally perfect Creator. Therefore…
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 MKJV).