“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” — Proverbs 16:2 NIV
A motive is a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something. In almost all the actions we take, we have motives behind them. However, when we become accustomed to these actions, they form habits, making us do them without thinking deeply about the motives that power the activities.
For example, many Christians go to church on Sunday. But when you ask some why they do so, they might not give you a realistic Biblical answer. Why? Because the activity has been performed repeatedly, the reason for doing it is gradually fading out. It is good we use spiritual systems to train people, especially in raising children, but there should be periodic teaching on why spiritual activities are done consistently.
In Proverbs 16:2, the Bible explains that even though our ways appear okay before us, God weighs our motives. That means God is more concerned with the mentality behind our actions far more than the actions themselves. Prayer is good. But James 4:3 (NIV) will let you know that when you ask God for something with wrong motives, you’ll not receive it.
What makes you do what you do? Do you do it to please people or to please God? Think about this.
Furthermore, this should tell us that “not all that glitters is gold.” It’s not about how high a person may go in Christ, but whether the heart is for the Lord in all things. When you make a prayer request, weigh your motives behind those requests. When you help someone else to do something, do it with the intention of helping, not otherwise. Be firm with having and maintaining a clean mentality that honour God in all your life endeavours.
You’re a blessing.
Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 085
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