I was reading Proverbs 16 this morning, today being the 16th of the month of February. And this half-verse spoke to my heart, surprised me, thrilled me in a way.

“But the LORD weigheth the spirits.”

Now the whole verse, of which my “Text” today is the conclusion: “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.” Proverbs 16:2

“Spirits,” the common noun here, is obviously plural. Likely indicating a man’s “motives, drives, intentions, propulsions.” (This can be the word for Holy “Spirit” in the Old Testament, and most often is. But not here, it appears.)

And the verb “weigheth” is spelled “takan” (ta-kan’) in Hebrew, meaning “to measure, ponder, estimate,” and at times even “to test or prove.” It is a participle in the Text and thus indicates a continuous action on God’s Part. As in Proverbs 15:3 … “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

A sobering thought … God is evaluating my every motive!

Not just what I do for Him … but WHY I do it!

And this is not just a one-time Test He administers … but it is a Habit with him!

No wonder Paul wanted to bring “every thought” into subjection to Jesus! See 2 Corinthians 10:5 … “Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” The verb “bringing into captivity” translates a Greek term meaning “at the point of a spear!”

Dear readers, remember today … your spirits are being weighed! Our spirits, I should say.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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