Dividing and Discerning

"For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy... This is the law... to make a difference between the unclean and the clean" (Leviticus 11:44-47).  "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me" (Psalm 43:3).  "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil" (Proverbs 8:13).  "For the Word of God is... sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). 

The Lord commands us to be holy,

Discerning by His righteous law

That holiness is meek and lowly

Like Christ, in whom there is no flaw. 

There is a difference that is seen

As God has taught us to discern

Between the unclean and the clean,

As for His holiness we yearn. 

The fear of God abhors the pride

That spurns the offer of His grace,

Yet beckons souls to safely hide

In Christ, who is our Hiding Place. 

Refine us by Your Word, O Lord,

Which pierces to the deepest part,

Dividing as a two-edge sword,

Discerning what is in our heart.