Motives

Motives

How can I have pure motives?

God’s Response

Get to know the God of your ancestors. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and with a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and understands and knows every plan and thought. 1 Chronicles 28:9

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

My conscience is clear, but that isn’t what matters. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. 1 Corinthians 4:4

When our motives are selfish or impure, it is only a matter of time before our actions are also selfish and impure. God is far more concerned about the condition of our hearts than he is with our external behavior—our behavior always flows from our hearts, not the other way around. Remember that God alone knows your heart. You may be able to fool others and yourself, but you can’t fool God. Welcome his examination. Then you can say, like Paul, that your conscience is clear.

God’s Challenge

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3