Your Thoughts

The Holy Spirit brought Ezekiel to a place where twenty-five important men had gathered. They were people of influence whose opinions carried weight among God’s people. Regarding the situation they all faced in exile, these men declared, “The time is not near to build houses” (v. 3).

Their message sounded authentic. But God said that this was not His message. In fact, He told Ezekiel, “These are the men who devise iniquity and who give wicked counsel in this city” (v. 2). Ezekiel was directed to prophesy and deliver the right message, God’s message.

These men appeared sincere. Their advice might have sounded right. But God was not fooled by appearances or by the way they interpreted events. He wanted them to know that He knew they were wrong. In fact, He knew everything about them – every thought, even their secret motives.

In a similar way, Jesus demonstrated the same sensitivity to others’ intentions. When a paralyzed man was brought to Him, the religious leaders criticized Him for telling the man that his sins were forgiven. But Jesus informed these critics that He knew their thoughts and motives (Matthew 9:1-4).

This reality should change the way we approach our lives. We may think we can fool others and shape the way they think about us. We may even be able to justify our actions. But God knows the truth. He knows our real motives – every word, every deed, every thought.