What the Bible says about God's Word Scrutinizes Intentions
(From Forerunner Commentary)
Commentator William Barclay renders the beginning of verse 12 as, "For the word of God is instinct with life." For the Christian, what God says is always an issue; it is always essential to process any given circumstance through it. However, by way of a vivid contrast, in terms of importance other writings easily slide into the background of one's thought on their way to oblivion. God's Word, though, is a penetrating critic scrutinizing a person's desires and intentions. It can make him feel naked before it and compelled to take action in the right direction—almost as though he has a knife at his throat.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Tenth Commandment