THE HEART OF THINGS

Hebrews 4:12-16 (NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Do you ever stop to think that as you are angry at someone and railing on them within yourself that you are showing God just who you really are? We can go around acting pious but the living word of God says that nothing is hidden from Him and all will be laid bare and we will have to give account to Him.
Wow, if that doesn't cause you to ask forgiveness for the things you know are true about yourself that other people don't know, I can't think of anything that would EXCEPT that God sent His Son to save us from our own personal sin (of which no man can deny having because God knows our hearts!)
This scripture tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way we are but did not sin and we may go to the throne of grace and mercy because of Jesus.
A great man of God explained to his congregation many times that the difference in grace and mercy is this. Grace is when you receive something you don't deserve (forgiveness). Mercy is when you don't receive something you do deserve (punishment).
Please think about these scriptures today as you go through your day and when you become tempted, even if it is in your heart where only God can see, give it to the Lord that it might not become sin. The sin is not in the temptation, but in the acting on it even if it is in your head and heart that you are acting on it.