Joel M Bradshaw

5And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?–Mark 2 (with emphasis)

You can hide thoughts and even feelings from other people. In the famous 10 Commandments, number 10 (‘you shall not covet’) is technically not provable on its own. Since nobody knows what is truly hidden inside your heart, who could prove you are actually coveting something?

It’s because God knows your heart. The sin and hypocrisy you hide deep within you is known by God. The thoughts you would never speak, the feelings and desires you battle against daily are never hidden from God. And here Jesus also gave evidence of knowing what nobody else could know. Yes, He could tell that they opposed His ministry, but the text says that Jesus perceived their hearts. Nobody else but God could do that.

This is either comforting or terrifying for you. There is comfort in God knowing you when others may not. God never overlooks you and certainly values you. But for the hider of sin, God’s piercing gaze is both convicting and terrifying. King David once proclaimed this.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)

This sounds like a good prayer for you to start your day with, my friend. As I refill my morning cup of coffee, let’s pray David’s prayer to God, the Perceiver of Hearts.–JMB