The Lord examines our heart and motives through the living power of His word (Hebrews 4:12).
Proverbs 21:2 NLT
[2] People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.21.2.NLT
Proverbs 16:2 NLT
[2] People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.16.2.NLT
God is on the inside. He sees everything. My heart, mind and soul are laid bare before Him. He knows all of my ways. My human nature is filled with pride, deceiving me into seeing myself as right and pure…religious even. That’s what a Pharisee is. In the literal sense, Pharisees were the religious leaders in the days when Jesus walked the Earth. From all appearances they seemed to be religious, right and pure, but this was merely the outer appearance, the facade. On the inside where God sees they were hollow, like “whitewashed tombs filled with dead men’s bones” which is why they could not see God at work through Jesus.
When we’re living in our natural human state, relying on our own intelligence and wit to get by, along with the wisdom, ideologies and philosophies of this world to guide us, pride keeps us from going deeper, and seeing beyond our human surface into our own soul and conscience. Our old man will deceive us and the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life will rule our hearts from our feelings and emotions instead of the Holy Spirit whom God imparts to those who repent and believe the Gospel, the good news of a risen Savior, who suffered and died for the sins of the world.
Yet there is One who weighs our hearts and who examines our motives. Man judges by our outer appearance, but God sees us on the inside, in our heart. Here he examines, weighs and judges us. (1 Samuel 16:7)
Are you listening?
God sends people our way to give us wise counsel and advice, but when we’re good and right in our own eyes, we will not have eyes to see, ears to hear, or hearts that are prepared that receive His word; His truth which He desires to impart to us.
We cannot claim ignorance when God speaks to us through the scriptures or through those he sends our way, and fail to take heed. We cannot say we didn’t know. Everyone is held accountable for what they have heard, because God has spoken. Those who think they are pure and right in their own eyes and ways have abandoned their own moral conscience. They are walking in darkness and the light of God’s word is not leading them. They’re walking their own path and will eventually stumble. When this happens they have no inner compass to guide them and wander like sheep without a shepherd. Sheep don’t know they’re lost. They’ll just keep wandering and strolling along, without any guidance or direction.
Proverbs 24:12 NKJV
[12] If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.24.12.NKJV
Luke 16:15 NLT
[15] Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.16.15.NLT
1 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
[4] My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.4.4.NLT
Living As Light 
Leave a comment