31/05/2026
Live Special Sunday Service - [31 May 2026]
The word with servant of God Makhado R Ramovha
Title: God Is A Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart
Scriptures: Luke 6:45, Genesis 6:5-6, Jeremiah 17:9-10, 1 Samuel 16:6-7, Acts 8:18-23, Hebrews 4:12, James 4:3, Philippians 1:17,
Proverbs 21:27, Matthew 6:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Ephesians 2:10,
Jeremiah 29:11
When we look from Genesis 1 to Genesis 6, we see the progressive worsening of mankind. By the time we reach Genesis 6, the state of humanity had become extremely wicked. The Bible says that God regretted making man, which is a very strong statement. There was no specific sin that was emphasized or singled out. Sin was certainly present, but God's grief was not only because of the actions themselves. God looked deeper and saw the intentions behind the actions. Every time He looked upon the earth, He saw that the thoughts and intentions of man's heart were continually evil.
The Word of God teaches us to guard our hearts because what begins in the heart eventually manifests in our actions. As we see with adultery, it begins with the intent of the heart before becoming a physical act. God does not only judge the sin itself; He also judges the intent behind the sin.
We must be careful about the intentions with which we do things. Even when we do the things of God, we must do them with the right motives. Behind worship, prayer, giving, and service, there are intentions hidden within our hearts. Before we act, God looks at the intention first. Sometimes we want God to go against His own Word. We pray and ask God for things while our motives are selfish, yet we expect Him to answer our petitions.
Even when we serve God, our intention must be to please Him. It is often easy to do the right thing when it benefits us, but when we are called to do what pleases God, our motives are not always in the right place.
Sometimes we must be honest with ourselves and with God. Jeremiah 17 teaches us that God searches the hearts of men. He sees every intention. We should always desire good for others because God sees beyond our words. We cannot expect God to overlook jealousy, bitterness, or wickedness while blessing us. God searches the heart and examines the mind. Before every action, He judges the motive behind it. It is possible to do something that appears godly while having ungodly intentions.
Even when we look at the story of Jonah, we see that God sent him to preach where He wanted him to go. Jonah resisted because his desires were not aligned with God's desires. Although he was called to preach, his heart was not fully aligned with God's purpose. His intentions played a role in the difficulties he experienced. God was looking at his heart.
In contrast, the woman with the issue of blood approached Jesus with faith and a pure intention; to be healed. She touched the hem of His garment believing that she would receive healing, and her faith was rewarded.
The Bible says that God looked at the world and saw the evil intentions of mankind. How many of us carry wrong motives every day and think it is acceptable simply because we never acted on them? We need to examine our hearts. The intentions of men were what caused God grief in Genesis 6. The enemy often gains an advantage in the lives of believers because of what is hidden within the heart.
Our intentions form the foundation of our actions. There is no such thing as, "I did not know what I was doing." All things are open before our Heavenly Father. Whatever we do, our intentions must be right.
In 1 Samuel 16:6-7, God sent Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel. When Samuel saw Eliab, he immediately assumed he was God's choice because of his appearance. However, God corrected him, saying that man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. God knew Eliab's heart and understood that he was not the one chosen for the assignment. This raises an important question: Is your heart right for the very thing you are asking God for? Never think that God will serve our selfish desires.
By the time you do something, it is simply revealing what was already in your heart. That is why we must consistently pray for God to purify our hearts. Sometimes we may be physically in the right place, but spiritually our hearts are far from God. Many times, people refuse to deal with the condition of their hearts and instead run from one man of God to another, hoping that someone else will cover what they refuse to confront.
Strongholds are called strongholds because they have something to hold onto within a person. We can pray against demons, but we must also deal with the heart issues that reduce the power and influence of God in our lives. Often, what hinders God's work in us is the condition of our hearts and our intentions.
When we look at Cain and Abel, both brought offerings to God. However, Cain's heart was not in the right place. The murder of Abel was simply the manifestation of what had already been growing within Cain's heart. There must be good intentions behind our actions. We must continually ask ourselves: What is the condition of my heart?
Do we examine ourselves? God knows the hearts of men and searches every intention. God is a discerner of the heart and mind. If we are not aligned with Him, our hearts will deceive us because our motives will not be right. We can say all the right words, but God is looking at the intention behind them.
Our intentions should always be based on God and not on our circumstances. Sometimes survival mode and desperation become the driving force behind our decisions. When a person becomes desperate, they often become vulnerable to deception. No matter what is happening in your life, ensure that your intentions remain focused on God. It is not only our actions that matter; our motives matter too. Align yourself with the intentions of God. When your intentions are aligned with Him, the enemy may fight you but remain faithful to God's purpose.
Peter walked on water while his focus was on Jesus. The moment he shifted his attention to the storm around him, he began to sink. His focus changed from Christ to his circumstances. We must ensure that our hearts and intentions remain fixed on God.
In Acts 8:18-23, Simon the sorcerer offered money in exchange for the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter rebuked him because the intention of his heart was not right before God. Sin begins in the heart long before it becomes visible. Just as God judged those with evil intentions in Genesis, He lifted up Noah because Noah's heart was right before Him. One of our greatest prayers should be that God keeps our hearts in the right place.
You cannot withhold forgiveness and expect to receive forgiveness. You cannot harbor bitterness in your heart and expect to prosper. Jesus died on the cross for us, yet many justify attitudes and actions that do not glorify God because their intentions are outside of God's will. No matter where you are, do the will of God, even when circumstances seem unfavorable. God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. As long as your intentions remain aligned with God, He will move in your life.
Hebrews 4:12 reveals that the Word of God is living and powerful. As you read the Word, the Word reads you. It discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. As Christians, we must examine not only our outward actions but also our inward motives. Both must align with the will of God.
James 4:3 teaches us that people pray, yet sometimes their motives are wrong. God desires a people who will remain centered on Him even after He blesses them. Wrong motives can exist even in prayer. What is in our hearts determines what comes out of our lives. We cannot draw goodness from a heart and mind filled with wickedness.
In Philippians 1:17, Paul speaks about people who preached Christ out of selfish ambition and rivalry rather than sincere devotion to God. Their actions appeared right, but their motives were wrong.
In Proverbs 21:27, the Bible teaches that the sacrifice of the wicked is detestable before God, especially when it is offered with wrong motives. The issue was not the sacrifice itself, but the intention behind it.
In Matthew 6:1, Jesus warned His disciples not to practice acts of righteousness merely to be seen by others. He taught that when people give, pray, or fast for the purpose of receiving praise from men, they lose their heavenly reward. God is not only concerned with what we do but also why we do it.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul reminds us that we speak and serve not to please people but to please God, who tests our hearts. Our intentions matter greatly before God, and everything we do should bring glory to Him.
Ask yourself these questions to examine your intentions:
1. If no one ever knew what you were doing, would you still do it?
2. If you had to suffer in order to continue what God called you to do, would you continue?
3. If there was no visible reward for doing it, would you still do it?
4. If others misunderstood or criticized your actions, would you still remain do them?
5. Would you joyfully accept a lesser position if God asked you to?
The most important thing is your intention. God is more than able to do what you ask of Him, but He first examines the condition of your heart.
Ephesians 2:10 teaches us that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He prepared beforehand. God has intentions and purposes for our lives. That is why He also examines our intentions. As we align our hearts with His will, we position ourselves to walk in the plans He has prepared for us.
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