Hebrews 4:12, commentary and pictures

The word of God is alive with life-giving power breathed into it by the Creator, and the Bible is God Himself speaking as surely as if His voice were heard. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting both ways whenever truth is proclaimed from it. Its piercing even to dividing soul and spirit and joints and marrow means it reaches the deepest inner being and lays open what lies within. It discerns the thoughts, intents and purposes of the heart, so that no deed, plan, imagination or motive can remain hidden from God who sees and weighs all. When heard in faith and received into life it wounds the natural heart, cuts away self and sin, and transforms character unto holiness, but hearing without faith gives no profit.

Living Powerful Searching Word

The word of God is living and powerful, with life-giving power breathed into it by the same Creator who gave life to humanity. It is living and life-giving, full of power and spirit and life, and it is to be trusted. The Bible is God speaking as surely as if His voice were heard, so that reading and thinking about Scripture is an audience with God calling for awe and earnest searching. In studying it a person sees himself as he is and receives its teaching as counsel, for it reaches into the innermost being, distinguishes soul from spirit and joints from marrow, and discerns the thoughts and motives and purposes of the heart, with nothing in creation hidden from God but all open before Him.

It is sharper than any two-edged sword, and the naked, clear-cut truth of God cuts both ways. Truth proclaimed from the word works like a sword with two edges, penetrating deeply and discerning the thoughts and purposes of the heart. Bible truth on the lips is a sword that cuts both ways when spoken in plain exposition of the Word, preaching established truth with a certain sound, in kindness and courtesy, and its truth has power to do its work. So presented it awakens those dead in trespasses and sins from the deathlike sleep of self-indulgence, and the gospel is recognized when presented in harmony with God's purposes.

Its piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow means it penetrates the deepest parts of a person and distinguishes what lies within. Living and powerful, it exposes and judges the thoughts and intentions and motives of the heart, and nothing is hidden from God's sight. This searching work belongs to the spiritual experience that believers who have received great light may and must have. Its practical truth must enter the life and cut away the excess of self in the character.

It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents and purposes of the heart. God can read the thoughts and intents of the heart, and He sees and weighs every motive.

Call To Enter Rest

The living and powerful word completes the call to enter into God's rest by ceasing from own works as God did from His and by laboring not to fall after the example of unbelief. It cuts deeper than any sword, laying open soul and spirit and exposing the thoughts and motives of the heart, distinguishing what lies within so that nothing remains hidden. Therefore the Scriptures must be searched with a penetrating, diligent spirit rather than surface work, with the heart guarded and cleansed from rubbish and earthliness, with thoughts brought into captivity to Christ and the whole being consecrated to God, so the Spirit impresses truth on mind and heart and conscience. The gospel must be received with faith rather than repeating Israel's unbelief that failed to enter rest.

The word must be heard in faith, for hearing without faith gives no profit. Right hearing requires the sanctification of the Holy Spirit and humility of mind instead of carelessness, indifference, and independence from God, so that preaching brings profit.

The next verses show that no creature is hidden but all is open before God with whom all have to do, everything laid open before Him. This searching truth is joined to Jesus the Son of God as great High Priest in heaven, tempted as humans are yet without sin and touched with human weakness. He understands human weakness and temptation and gives ground to hold fast and come boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and help in time of need.

God Exposes The Heart

God searches the heart and discerns its thoughts, intentions and purposes, weighing actions and recording them, so that nothing inward is hidden from Him. Every deed, word, motive, plan, imagination and thought is known to Him and faithfully recorded, and even the imaginings of the heart and every thought of wickedness small or great is open before Him with whom man has to do. No deed or sin can remain hidden from Him even when people do not detect or suspect it, for His word reaches into the inner life beneath outward actions and appearances to reveal what will stand before God who sees all things.

Words, actions, motives and the use of precious moments are written down by angels in the book of record in living characters. Unseen messengers are present even in the workroom and the sleeping apartment, for God is in every place and takes cognizance of every act, word, deportment, thought and purpose of the heart which stand faithfully delineated. He brings to light every word and action including hidden works of darkness, vain frivolous words, false words, deceptive acts whose motives were concealed from human eyes, every selfish act and even the most trivial acts of life, so that every defect in moral character stands revealed to the gaze of angels. At the execution of the judgment young and old will have the faithful picture of themselves presented in all its deformity, and every life must answer to its record like an image formed on a polished plate, laid open before the Majesty of Heaven and myriads of pure sinless angels as a spotted record that brings His frown. A transgressor therefore cannot hide guilt behind outwardly proper conduct or good reputation, for heavenly angels are acquainted with words, actions and inward thoughts, and sin committed is registered though concealed from mortals.

God is in every place and nothing escapes His all-seeing eye, so He cannot be deceived. He reads character correctly, weighs motives, and discerns all the thoughts, intents and purposes of the heart, seeing beneath the surface of things, plans and imaginings of every mind as an open book. Not a deed of darkness, plan, imagination of the heart or thought of the mind is hidden from Him as the great Heart Searcher, but every act, purpose, word and motive is faithfully chronicled in the records of heaven. Because this foundation stands sure, faith must not be based on the questionable course of professed Christians but on Christ the perfect pattern, leaving no excuse for doubt or skepticism.

God's law and commandments are exceedingly broad, reaching beyond outward words and actions to secret thoughts, desires, dispositions, motives, purposes and passions. The law searches the heart, reading inner thoughts and motives, exposing sin and condemning the transgressor while the obedient value it as a true standard of righteousness, acting as a faithful mirror that reveals defects, warns against temptation and shows the sinner the need for Christ. It exposes guilt known to God alone, dark hidden passions of jealousy and revenge and hatred and malignity and lust and wild ambition covered from human sight, and sins planned in the mind but not carried out for lack of opportunity, making a record of them all by which hidden secret sins form character. It condemns not only wrong that is done but good that is left undone, so that in the day of final accounts there is a register of sins of omission as well as sins of commission, and measuring oneself as having done no positive wrong is not enough, for having done no positive good is enough to condemn as a wicked and slothful servant. Knowing and acknowledging its claims is not enough, for a person must be born again and follow Christ whose life perfectly embodied obedience, as shown in the Sermon on the Mount, leading to reject ungodliness and worldly desires and to live soberly, righteously and godly. Those with more talent, light and influence who harbor impure heart imaginings are counted more guilty and more deserving of wrath, and the husband and father must therefore maintain loyalty to marriage vows and circumspect character lest he encourage thoughts in young girls or even married women not in accordance with the commandments.

The thoughts and purposes of every heart are open to Jesus, so that deceit, impurity, corruption and hypocrisy cannot be hidden from the Maker even when concealed from other people. Christ searches every church and pierces every heart, measuring the temple and the worshipers, weighing all actions in the balances of heaven and registering the result in the books of record, so all things are open to Him and no deed of darkness can be screened from His view. Sin undetected and unsuspected by man is noted by Him, and Judas could not hide his treacherous intentions, for though he believed his betrayal was hidden Jesus knew his purpose.

This searching sight is shown in that Herod's apparent respect for the wise men and supposed joy at Christ's birth could not hide his murderous purpose from God, who protected Jesus until His earthly mission was complete. God knows and sees when someone takes advantage of workers by paying them less than they earned, and money gained through such injustice if kept will be lost through adversity and affliction. What people do about a house built for God and about offerings to God reveals the true moral tone of their hearts, for those with exalted views of His character delight to give the very best work and taste for anything connected with Him because the object is holy. Those who grudgingly build poorer for God than for themselves, who are close and penurious in dealing with God as with fellow men, and whose offerings are lame, sick or deficient show lack of reverence for God and sacred things and exalt temporal earthly things above spiritual eternal things. God reads the motives behind giving so that an offering made grudgingly is not the free willing gift He asks for, and hidden motives in transferring property to conceal covetousness or evade responsibility are fully exposed to Him and will be tested at the judgment.

God alone can discern with perfect accuracy whether the heart is sincere and whether affections are given to Him, seeing and reading every hidden motive and secret of the soul. He weighs character not in the balances of human opinion but in the balances of the sanctuary, registering men as guilty or not guilty according to the true condition of the heart even when conduct appears blameless and irreproachable to others. Those whose defects are open and known are not worse before Him than those whose sins are hidden and undiscovered, and those who condemn others for developed faults while cherishing hidden evil themselves stand in worse spiritual condition as greater sinners before God. Drawing nearer to Christ brings clearer awareness of defects and failures that had gone unnoticed, so divine illumination leads to humility rather than self-exaltation. The Word of God is the armor of truth, and diligent study and acceptance of it with humble earnest prayer help overcome temptation and become teachable rather than dictatorial.

People are shortsighted and cannot reliably read another person's heart or judge its intentions, for only God's word can discern the thoughts and purposes of the heart. That work of judging others God has not laid upon any finite man, for man's judgment is biased by his own peculiar traits of character. Therefore there must be no exalting of self above others, no lording it over God's heritage, no oppression of conscience, no binding of another's conscience, and no passing judgment upon God's holy Word to define what is inspired and what is human. With God there is no narrowness, jealousy, evil surmising, strife or unkind spirit toward a brother who disagrees, for those belong to Satan and unless a man is sanctified soul, body and spirit he will manifest them when he takes God's place as judge. God can discern motives and the purposes and intents of the heart, making Him the sure Guide when human judgment cannot determine the right path, and because He sees a sharp criticizing spirit and impatience toward others the mind must be purified, refined and carefully guarded.

God reads intents and purposes in every circumstance, caring about worldliness, selfishness, cupidity, covetousness and fraud existing among His people, weighing every motive so that no selfish desire or ambition is hidden from Him. He sees disobedience and serious defects of character even when people parade their virtues and claim superior goodness, and He sees and records selfish unfaithfulness beneath outward profession. His knowledge reaches the inner motives that shape choices and the purposes beneath outward actions that even those responsible may fail to see, including inward struggle beneath outward profession. Students should therefore bring plans and ambitions before Him and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance, living for God rather than for self as a duty in every circumstance, trusting Him to care for those who give themselves to Him and place interests in His hands, for only thorough transformation of character can bring harmony with His mind.

Cutting Transforming Sanctifying Work

The practical truth of the living and powerful word must be brought into the life, where it cuts away the excess of self in character. It cuts deeply into the inner life, reaching soul and marrow to cut away fleshly lusts, appetites, passions, pride, carnal security and self-righteousness. It pulls the carnally secure from refuges of lies, opens the eyes of the spiritually blind to see they are not whole, brings people out of false refuges, and makes the proud humble, the perverse meek and contrite, and the disobedient obedient, even making them willing to suffer. When its truths are treasured in the mind, obeyed in life and allowed to work, it convinces and converts, transforms character, comforts and uplifts, and calls church and institutions to be cleansed so service may be offered in righteousness.

As the sword of the Spirit it must wound the natural heart with the keenness of its edge, piercing to joints and marrow, cutting away the sinful shrines where self is worshiped, and entering the inner sanctuary to explore and search out defiling things that spoil life and character. Without that wounding work brought into practice in the life, the soul will never see the kingdom, and its effect is decisive, bringing life to those who receive it and a testimony of death to those who reject it. Mere mental ability and the highest qualification of mind cannot supply the place of true simplicity and genuine piety, and studying the Bible as human science, poetic fancy and sentimentalism shield the heart so its keenness is not felt. When sin is cherished, excused and compromised with, its searching work to cut to the soul and confront sin is resisted, making religious life seem easy instead of demanding self-denial.

It pierces through carnal security, awakens the conscience blinded by false theories, finds a place in the soul, and brings conviction of sin calling for repentance, obedience and decision whether to heed or resist. It detects character and tests motives, exposing whether truth truly governs words, thoughts and actions, for merely agreeing with true doctrines or reading alone does not bring promised blessings unless truth is intelligently understood, purifies the soul through faith working by love, is followed daily, and has sanctifying influence. It exposes self-trust and supposed honesty as grievous error, discovers personal impotency and helplessness, breaks up self-deception, perverted mind, criticism and self-sufficiency, and presses not for a vague sense of inability but for actual experience of a new heart. It corrects the fault lying not in circumstances but in mistaken views that misconstrue words and actions into alienation and censure, calling for unreserved surrender of soul, body and spirit and for ceasing to make self the criterion.

When received, treasured, obeyed and made part of life, the living and powerful word brings spiritual life and daily reformation, penetrating the inner person and discerning thoughts and intentions. It convinces and converts, transforms character inwardly and outwardly, humbles pride, purifies through faith working by love, comforts and uplifts, animates and strengthens mind and soul, ennobles affections, develops mind for useful service, nourishes unto strength of spirit and intellect to stand for truth and righteousness, and produces holiness and fruit unto eternal life. As a living agency working through messengers it gives knowledge of Christ's glory, blends hearts and minds in unity of judgment and speech, and makes followers an effective influence in the world.

Its cutting into the heart and stirring of conscience with good impressions is only the beginning and not enough by itself. The impression must be deepened by careful prayerful labor that directs thoughts, teaches and applies truth more deeply, and fixes conviction until mere acceptance of theory becomes true conversion under sanctifying power. Constant contact must be personally appropriated to quicken conscience, for provisions bring no benefit or growth unless taken in and made part of the person, and its truth should be plainly unfolded and allowed to reform. If work stops at first arousing and souls are left half-worked, Satan counteracts the impression and more harm than good is done, and where only the top of selfishness is cut off without rooting it out, it springs up again and defiles many.

It tests every doctrine and claim, cuts to the heart, exposes what is within and what must be changed, and makes decision with people for or against truth. Its force awakens to spiritual life and progress, breaks the hold of superstition, dead formalism, human rites and earthly mediators, stirs hunger for righteousness, and turns to penitence, faith and Christ. It calls for reproof and rebuke to rouse spiritual lethargy and wandering minds back to God unto moral renewal lest they perish, convicts ignorant minds educated in error when explained in purity, and must remove false beliefs and sentiments of the self-righteous whose pride distorts spiritual perception. Ministers must let the word itself cut rather than their own sharp words, for very few stand on it, and those resisting blame the Bible as faulty and seek to change it to their practices while bringing persecution on holders of the pure word.

At Pentecost the Spirit's sword worked with newly edged power, piercing to division of soul and spirit and joints and marrow. After heart-searching and self-examination prepared cleansed temples and the Spirit was poured out copiously, the piercing word convicted and converted thousands in a day, overthrew idolatry mingled with worship, added new territory, made desolate places sound praise, and made reconverted believers a living vitalizing power united to be like Christ and enlarge His kingdom. Through the apostles the proclaimed word as a two-edged sword subdued people to Christ and convinced of sin, and through Paul it came with vivid force of the Spirit making strong impression.

The Spirit has power to reach and enter the heart, moving conscience, quickening mind to understand and heart to feel, giving strength, knowledge and understanding for advancing and sowing truth, and working like leaven where outward denial cannot kill pride. Pride lives in the heart longing for satisfaction even when outward gratifications are denied, so only the quick and powerful Spirit finding way inward can root it out, without which lessons of pride taught by dress and unholy society cannot be counteracted. Its precious meaning as truth as it is in Jesus must not be perverted, twisted, crushed or weakened but held whole with enlarging faith unto preparation for eternal life. It searches every heart and convicts of pride, wrong, lowered righteousness, cherished covetousness which is idolatry, loss of knowledge of God and straying into false paths, until soul, body and spirit are cleansed and God's work revived for those who seek Him wholeheartedly while wrong may be righted.

As a mighty cleaver and living sword it exposes the difference between those who serve God and those who do not, separates those accepting Christ from the world in spirit and action without withdrawal from the world, and cuts to the heart of worldly practices, human selfishness, evil practices, petty sharpness and advantage-taking. Its standard is strict righteousness and truth in every transaction, working within to remove roughness and bring inward transformation visible in words and actions as people advance toward God's standard and prepare for His kingdom. Because it cuts this way the world and popular churches will not be in accord with it, no encouragement is given to expect their favor, and to seek worldly favor for influence is to separate from God and lose all by selfishness, while its sharp edge must not be dulled but used to make a peculiar people.

Preached In Divine Power

The quick and powerful effect does not come from learning, intelligence, or educational ability in the human agent, but from divine power working with human power. The Holy Spirit takes the things of God and presents them anew to the mind, making neglected truth a vivifying power that exerts a strong influence upon minds, and to divine power belongs all praise and credit for its working. Human teachers can preach the Word but cannot give it power to quicken the soul unto eternal life; only God makes it living and effective to renew the soul and cause righteousness and praise to spring forth. When the Spirit brings precious words vividly to mind for giving to others, the Word is made living and piercing like a sharp sword that cuts in every direction, and its setting home to the heart depends not on mere theory, reading, or study but on God’s power as instrument and agent.

The word ministered becomes living and powerful, cutting into the heart and exposing thoughts and intents, just in proportion as messengers fear and love the Lord, feel the burden for perishing souls, and appreciate the divine presence and honor and trust God’s power. When the power of God vitalizes their souls and their hearts glow with the fire of His love, when they obey what they preach as doers of the work with Jesus always with them as teacher, they are acknowledged as laborers together with God, made strong out of weakness and mighty through God instead of merely speechifying. Nothing less than this quick and powerful word can give the victory and save the soul, for truth must not only come from God but His Spirit must be the active agent in communicating the knowledge of the glory of God, or it is only the sayings and doings of men with the form of Christianity in the letter. Its sacred influence must be felt in the speaker’s own soul, for repeating truth as mere theory gives it no force and leads hearers to reject it as error, whereas spoken in simplicity and power as it is in Jesus by those imbued with power from on high it calls sinners to guilt and repentance, condemns the world, and, unlike popular ministry and a form of godliness the natural heart and the world do not oppose, brings opposition, reproach, and persecution.

The truth itself should do the cutting and rebuking, and its advocates need not use harsh, severe, rugged, or cutting words of their own. God’s word as a sharp two-edged sword cuts its way to the heart to expose and convict what is within, even instructing those who oppose, so it is to be presented with Christ’s love, meekness, gentleness, kindness, and simplicity. In presenting unpopular truth involving a heavy cross, every word must be as God would have it, spoken in humility with deepest love for souls and earnest desire for their salvation, while the truth is left to do the cutting and its inward power works to overcome what blocks reception.

The naked truth sharp like a two-edged sword that cuts both ways is to be preached plainly in all its solemnity, dignity, and impressiveness. No preliminaries after the order of the world, no music or display or entertaining devices to charm the senses, are to take its place, for actions, methods, and plans must correspond to the importance of most solemn truths. So presented in Christ’s way it comes as a warning that arouses those dead in trespasses and sins from death-like sleep of self-indulgence, including the higher classes, and deeply impresses the audience with conviction that this is the word of the living God. Those who stand before the people are to study the Word and preach the Word, testifying to truths already given and showing what is yet to be, grappling with great themes and not occupying precious time with trivial subjects to shape lives for proclamation. The preaching of John the Baptist as forerunner of Christ illustrates this power, making a decided impression because its startling plainness cut to the hearts of hearers.

The word of the living God is the believer’s weapon, to be used as It is written, and its cutting power makes lifting up the standard of truth and holding forth the word of life the best means to combat error. It is to be spoken in simplicity with no word that wounds and bruises hearts, going forth in the grace of God backed by Christ’s all-prevailing power, rather than entering controversy and contention or dwelling on opposers’ objections. Its cutting power carries its own evidence, holding attention, moving recognition of truths in Scripture not before known, leading to deeper searching, convicting minds educated in error, and deciding for or against truth, and when spoken with Jesus near the Lord Himself makes the application under God’s supervision with sure results and unfailing promise. Words shaped by received truth and lived out in holiness, humility, meekness, and kindness pierce like a two-edged sword and bring conviction even to hardened sinners, while humanly enticing words weaken living power to convict of sin, so messengers must preach clearly, simply, and with integrity and wield the sword of the Spirit earnestly, for the gospel has not lost its living, quickening power to reach and move hearts and pierce the conscience to expose inmost thoughts.

It is the minister’s guide to be searched humbly and obeyed, with its promises, directions, counsel, and reproof applied as each person’s needs require, that ministers may live under its power and help others gain a personal, living knowledge of truth. Young men and young women preparing for service are to read and study it, take heed to self and to doctrine, first give themselves to the Lord for sanctification to His service, trim the lamp of the soul, and seek grace and clearness of comprehension with Christ formed within as the hope and strength of life for successful work. Its truth must be worked diligently into the heart and practiced in life rather than kept as mere theory, and its strength upholds truthful, persuasive ministry through sound arguments, not unfair attacks or ridicule.

The message cuts to right and left like a two-edged sword against evil workers and must reach the people and arouse attention, for Satan with all his host is on the field using stratagem, whisperings, surmisings, and bitterness among believers to steal and destroy, so watchmen must keep close, earnest guard and search the Scriptures closely. Clear-cut, faithful, bold testimony before kings, princes, and statesmen does not lessen influence, and the same direct appeal should bring foolish, wandering minds back to God, with warnings that cut against evil doing no injury to souls who get out of the path of evil, while continual complainers should keep out of the way and let the sword do its work. The bearer must be free from dependence on institutions and financial embarrassment, not trusting in man nor making flesh his arm, lest the enemy use those who should uphold him to delay the work. The sword that cuts every way must not be used to drive people or wage war against them, nor to brave through with a forceful, cutting approach, as in work for the women of the W.C.T.U., where care, respect, harmony, appreciation of good done, gained confidence, and showing the Word as foundation of doctrine are required instead of antagonism.

Weapon Against Error

The word is the sword of the Spirit, a living and powerful weapon for presenting truth and combating error, sharper than any two-edged sword to reach and expose what lies within, separating soul and spirit and joints and marrow while discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. It is not carnal but mighty through God to pull down the strongholds of the enemy, casting down imaginations and every proud argument and high thing exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. As guide and instructor on which believers depend to stand against temptation, it arms the soul to meet the strongest opposition, and familiar acquaintance with practical Bible truths gives that weapon while constant use keeps it polished and powerful instead of letting it rust from neglect. It is full of exceeding great and precious promises to the faithful soul, and digging into it in thoughtful meditation gathers comfort, hope, joy, and encouragement to enrich the soul and give faith, confidence, and courage.

It is the mighty weapon in spiritual and religious conflict and the standard by which every claim of inspiration is tested, defeating attempts to replace Scripture with human reason, religious authority, or imagined inspiration. By it the gospel is defended against papal authority, rationalistic philosophy, and fanaticism that would draw the Reformation away from Scripture. The Holy Spirit comes to the world as Christ's representative as the faithful and true witness of the word and the searcher of the thoughts and purposes of the heart, giving efficiency to restore the moral image of God in man. His transforming influence brings even the thoughts into harmony with the will of God and establishes a living connection between earth and heaven, greatly needed in schools and eagerly sought in the schools of the prophets, where teachers must open their hearts to His indwelling as a heavenly Guest so that in cooperation with the Master Teacher selfishness is expelled and wonderful transformation takes place.

Preaching that living word is strength to meet the Sunday-law issue that brings hardship on God-fearing people, for as Sabbath truth is presented direct from the word of God, tracing it through from Creation to the New Earth, the testimony of the living God recorded in His word has powerful effect on hearers in a plain Thus saith the Lord. God will raise up faithful witnesses, men and women, who will bring forth these cutting words sharper than any two-edged sword, and by them many souls will be brought in as true converts as they proclaim the very message for the last test to the world, in contrast to those who say they are Jews and are not and are of the synagogue of Satan. The truth as it is in Jesus is that two-sided sword and weapon of warfare, and Daniel made it his weapon by relying on Christ day by day and seeking the Lord in prayer three times a day, knowing the One mighty in counsel to be the source of wisdom and power. Those who understand the Scriptures and bring truth into practical life wield this sword in word, in spirit, and in principle, and by making God their trust become an example that draws youth to link up with them.

Christ's carefully chosen It is written answers in the wilderness temptation were sharp as a two-edged sword, withstanding the wily foe in intense conflict where He seemed about to die on the field of battle, and thoroughly repulsing Satan so that no sophistry could deceive the Prince of Life. The same keen and cutting word pierced home to the conscience with force when Jesus spoke cutting truths so convicting that priests and rulers could not bear them and plotted again and again to kill Him, so that when they sought His life He departed to other places. The word gives the highest education, teaching humble submission to God and belief in what it says unto understanding of salvation and preparing people to carry the light of truth. Christ is its inexhaustible source to be trusted as firm support against the powers of darkness, from whom people may continually draw and share with others without exhausting the supply, and its blessed results continue to work in hearts even after the messenger is gone and will be fully known only in the judgment.

Receiving And Responding

Plain reproof comes close to the soul because it is truth that points out and condemns a wrong course of conduct, presenting God's will and ways in marked contrast just as the case requires. It tests the hearer whether he will accept it and fall on the Rock and be broken, or will become vexed and feel enmity toward the one bringing it because the truth condemns him. Behind the piercing human voice is the Lord Himself prompting the message in tender, pitying love to save from moral ruin, so rejecting, disregarding and dishonoring the reproof is rejecting God who sent it. To divide it and call the pleasing portion from God and the condemning, convicting portion merely human judgment, ideas and opinion is to virtually reject the whole message. Tempting God in this way unnerves the soul and brings confusion and blindness of mind and a fierce, defiant determination to brave it through.

God knows every purpose of the heart and nothing is hid from Him, and in great mercy He shows a person just where he is standing spiritually. To reject that light and become embittered against it is to betray the Lord who gave the message, not the human messenger who bears it. Sins may be concealed from the eyes of men, but nothing can be hidden from the Maker, for deceit, impurity, corruption and hypocrisy are all laid open before Him as a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. No outward profession covers them, and the wedding garment will never cover them. Therefore sins must be put away now while probation lingers and mercy's voice is still heard, so as to have the wedding garment on and stand perfect in His grace, wanting in nothing, prepared to stand in the day of God while waiting for the appearing of the Lord.

No one may stand above the living sword to revise it to suit popular beliefs or reject parts that challenge personal practices, for the Word instead tests and judges the person who encounters it. It cuts both ways, so that those who handle it to condemn or alter it are also exposed by its judgment. Those who see the truth yet refuse to obey it try to muffle that two-edged sword, wrapping it with false assertions and fanciful interpretations to break its power upon their own minds, and seek to blunt its edge with carnal reasoning and invented fables. Outward reform cannot hide selfish motives or deception, for motives, words and actions are open to inspection and even secret things are not concealed from holy angels. The call is for inward change before God rather than appearances of devotion or righteousness before others, with truth governing and sanctifying the life rather than remaining mere assent to doctrines.

The commandments of God are exceedingly broad, reaching even the thoughts, intents and purposes of the heart, and Christ shows this breadth, making the high, holy standard bind heart imaginings as well as outward acts. God requires heart imaginings of pure, holy character, and failure there is delinquency and iniquity that He marks, even in those of high calling and great talent. Those with more talent, light and influence who harbor impure thoughts are counted more guilty and more deserving of wrath. The husband and father must therefore maintain loyalty to his marriage vows and keep a circumspect character, lest he encourage thoughts in young girls or even married women that are not in accordance with the commandments. Children should remember that their conduct and motives are known to Him who sees and judges the thoughts, intentions and purposes of the heart. God also reads the motives behind giving, reaching the innermost parts to discern thoughts and purposes, so that an offering made grudgingly is exposed as not the free, willing gift He asks for.