Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. 4:12 (NKJV)

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Hebrews 4:12-Amplified Bible (AMP) 12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and

full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword - it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. Heb. 4:12 (CJB) Complete Jewish Bible

For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.  Heb. 4:12 (NLT)

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Word of God as piercing, probing, discerning, dividing even to the tearing asunder of soul and spirit; the psuchikos (soul)man, the natural man; and the pneumatikos man, the spiritual man.

 This means:  the Word of God is able to divide between the natural man and the spiritual man.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

The Bible says: “The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate.” (Jeremiah 17:9) When our heart wants something very much, we can easily find excuses to do what it wants.

The Bible gives us a serious warning: “Out of the heart come wicked reasonings, murders, adulteries, fornications, thieveries, false testimonies, blasphemies.” (Matthew 15:19)

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Our heart, the person we are inside, can deceive us and make us do something that is against God’s will. And we may not realize that our heart has deceived us until after we have made a mistake.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become deeds. Watch your deeds. They become habits. Watch your habits. They become character. Character is everything. (Frank Outlaw)

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

What can help us to know what is in our heart before we do something wrong?

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Read the Bible every day and meditate on what it says. When we study the Bible, we should examine our

own thinking and actions. This will help us to find out what is really in our heart.

If we pay attention to what the Bible says, this will train our conscience. Our conscience is like a voice inside of us. It can tell us that something is wrong and stop us from making excuses to do what is bad or warn us before making harmful decisions.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Pray to God to help you find out what is in your heart. God is “an examiner of the heart.” (

1 Chronicles 29:17) He “is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” (1 John 3:20) God knows everything about us.

If we sincerely tell him in prayer about our worries, feelings, and desires, He can help us to know what is in our heart.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Fellowship with the People of God. Bible study, Listening to the sermons,

testimonies of God’s goodness can help us to think seriously about the person we are inside.

Through fellowship with other believers in Christ we can gain a better understanding of Bible principles.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Fellowship with the People of God. We receive counsel from the Man of God

and other authorized counselors that can help us find out what is in our heart, and then we can make changes.

If we isolate ourselves and do not regularly attends services, we can begin to focus too much on ourselves and make unwise decisions.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Discuss ways that our hearts can deceive us?

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Just as a little bit of dirty water can ruin clean water, friendships with those who do not love God can hinder your walk with Christ.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Scenario: Miguel has had a change about how he feels about

material things.  He says: “My wife, son, and I are from a community

where obtaining the latest and the best in technology and comforts is considered very important.

At this point, I have devoted myself to obtaining all I could from the world. I don’t want to be left behind.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Acts 23:12-22

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Purity of thoughts and intentions may seem impractical to achieve in one lifetime.

Yet the promise of Jesus in the Beatitudes is that “The pure in heart will see God”. (Matthew 5:8)

He seems to be calling us to be transformed by His word and come into closer fellowship with Him.

Thoughts & Intents of the Heart pt. 1

Bible Study Wed. 7/22/15-Healthy Christian Session 8/5/15-Thoughts & Intents pt. 2 Scriptures: Heb. 4:12; Jer. 17:9; Matt. 15:19

References: Bible.knowing/jesus.com The Thoughts and Intentions of the

Heart (Globalchristians.org)