Monday, October 10, 2022

The Lord Judges the Mind and the Heart

By Kevin Rutherford

 

    During the time of Noah the population of the earth reached a degree of wickedness from which they would not return. This level of evil resulted in a world full of violence. The Bible records, “the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continuously (Genesis 6:5.)” Clearly God must have been able to see directly into the hearts and minds of the people to know that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was evil.

    When Samuel went to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be the replacement for King Saul, Samuel focused on the outward appearance, but God was looking into the hearts. The Bible says, “So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, ‘Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him!’ But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:6-7).’”

    As King David was giving instructions to his son and successor he said, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intents of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever (1 Chronicles 28:9).”

    David wrote in the Psalms, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).” David also wrote, “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me. Try mind and my heart (Psalm 26:2).” Both of these passages show us God can see into the hearts of people.

    The book of Proverbs contains many warnings that prove God is able to look into the hearts of men and women and judge their hearts. We are told, “Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord and “everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 11:20; 16:5).” Proverbs 20:7 specifically tells us God can search all the inner depths of the heart of man.

    Jeremiah said, the LORD judges the mind and the hear righteously (Jeremiah 11:20). He also wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:9-10).” Jeremiah also told Israel God is able to “see the mind and the heart (Jeremiah 20:12).” We cannot hide anything from God. He can see directly into our heart and He will judge by what he sees in our hearts.

    John wrote about the importance of love our brothers and sisters with a love that is seen in our actions toward one another (1 John 3:16-22). When we have this kind of love for one another we know we are of the truth and we know our hearts are assure before God. That is, God will know what is in our hearts and can tell whether brotherly love exists within our hearts. If not, then our hearts condemn us. God sees into the heart and mind of every one lost in the world, but He also sees into the heart and mind of every Christian.

    How should we apply this knowledge of the fact that God can see directly into or hearts? We should work to purify our hearts, Only those who are pure in heart will see God and be with Him in eternity (Psalm 24:3-4; Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:1-3). Paul told Timothy “The end of the commandment is love from a pure heart (1 Timothy 1:5).” We purify our hearts so that we can love and serve God with the full dedication of heart and mind (Deuteronomy 6:5; 11:13; 1 Samuel 12:24; Mark 12:30). God knows if our hearts and minds are pure. God knows if our hearts and minds are focused on loving and serving Him. God judges our hearts and minds.

- Kevin V. Rutherford, formerly of Warners Chapel church of Christ in Clemmons, NC (Currently an instructor at Memphis School of Preaching in Memphis, TN). The congregation may be contacted through their website: http://warnerschapelchurchofchrist.org/


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