What drives you in your life? What moves you to take action? Why do you think, speak, act & react the way you do?
Too many Christians never take the time to analyze the motives behind their morals. Is it to look good to God and others - as in the case of the Scribes & Pharisees? Or is it because they have grown to agree with God - that His Moral Code creates the happiest individuals & societies?
Unfortunately, the 2 major motivations driving most people - are pride & pleasure! All day long their minds are wrapped up in the pursuit of what makes them look good to others - and what makes them feel good! It’s an egocentric & hedonistic approach to life, that is condemned in both Testaments: “Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them! 12 The harp and the strings, the tambourine and flute, and wine are in their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of His hands.” (ISAIAH 5:11,12) The apostle Paul also condemned fleshly motivations: “ For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.” (PHILIPPIANS 3:18,19)
So what does your Bible say about motives? Does ‘why we do something’ matter as much to God as ‘what we do?’ Well yes it does - as this text of Scripture clearly reveals: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (I CORINTHIANS 13:1-3)
A decade ago, I remember sharing a story on the ‘Biblical nightly news’ about young adults who had made mission trips to 3rd world countries. Upon their return to the U.S. they were disappointed that God had not immediately blessed them with monetary success, thinking ‘God owes me.’ This reaction was not an isolated one - as the article pointed out - it was widespread among these youthful missionaries. Obviously, these young people were not primarily motivated by love for the underprivileged in making such a mission trip. They were ‘giving, to get,’ a widespread motivation that plagues too many converts to Christianity today - who have been lured into the Faith by ‘health & wealth’ gospel teachers.
Many in ancient Israel took the same approach, but God is not going to be bribed: “‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.” (ISAIAH 58:3,4) The motivation behind engaging in Biblical rituals like prayer and fasting, should not be to get God’s attention and blessing - but rather to: “loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free…” (VS.6) as the text goes on to say.
James, the brother of Jesus, gives us God’s perspective on motives: “ You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (JAMES 4:2,3)
The book of Proverbs warns us: “ All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” (PROVERBS 16:2 NIV) God weighs our motives because He wants to know why we’re doing something good - because He is not just desirous that we do ‘good deeds’ - but He desires ‘goodness’ in each and everyone of us! The word ‘good’ comes from ‘GOD,’ therefore, ‘goodness’ is really GODNESS - or acting like God! God wants us to give, serve, and help others from a pure heart that really cares for and wants to make the lives of others better. That’s why He inspired Paul to write: Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith…” (I TIMOTHY 1:5)
King David understood YHVH’S perspective on motives, saying, “O Lord our God, all of this material that we have gathered to build a temple for your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! 17 I know, my God, that you test men to see if they are good; for you enjoy good men. I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.” (I CHRONICLES 29:16,17) David also wrote: “Dismiss all the charges against me, Lord, for I have tried to keep your laws and have trusted you without wavering. 2 Cross-examine me, O Lord, and see that this is so; test my motives and affections too. 3 For I have taken your loving-kindness and your truth as my ideals.” (PSALM 26:1-3) When was the last time, if ever, that you asked God to ‘cross-examine’ you - and to test your motives? King David was sincerely seeking ‘GODNESS’ - are you?
So how can we purify our hearts and make sure our motives are godly? By paying hourly attention to our conscience, as we read in the book of Proverbs: “A man’s conscience is the Lord’s searchlight exposing his hidden motives.” (PROVERBS 20:27 TLB). God has put a ‘conscience’ in Jew & Gentile alike, a fundamental understanding of ‘right & wrong.’ According to your Bible there are 2 things that all of Mankind will be judged on: ‘the books’ (Bible - REV.20:12) and our conscience: “…For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” (ROMANS 2:14-16) This is why Paul said: “…I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” (ACTS 24:16)
Another Biblical way of purifying our motives, is to avoid practicing partiality: “2 If a man comes into your church dressed in expensive clothes and with valuable gold rings on his fingers, and at the same moment another man comes in who is poor and dressed in threadbare clothes, 3 and you make a lot of fuss over the rich man and give him the best seat in the house and say to the poor man, “You can stand over there if you like or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 judging a man by his wealth shows that you are guided by wrong motives.” (JAMES 2:2-4 TLB)
A third means of purifying our motives is to read and re-read the Bible daily: “12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (HEBREWS 4:12 NKJV) God’s word, as we read and meditate on it, reveals the true motives we are living by. Scripture pierces our souls & spirits, convicting us of ulterior motives - and moving us to purify our reasons for doing good.
It’s Human Nature to deceive ourselves that our motives are pure: “9 The heart is the most deceitful thing there is and desperately wicked. No one can really know how bad it is! 10 Only the Lord knows! He searches all hearts and examines deepest motives so he can give to each person his right reward, according to his deeds—how he has lived.” (JEREMIAH 17:9,10)
Let’s make sure that the motives behind our morals are pure and godly!