Motives matter to God. Proverbs 16:2 says, “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”

We have already determined that God cares more about who you are than what you do.

It also is true that he cares more about why you do what you do than what you do. We are all masters of deception. We have this amazing ability to deceive ourselves. The Bible says the heart is deceptive above all things. We need to realize that motives matter to God.

God keeps bringing me back to a powerful prayer that can reveal impure motives. This prayer is found in Psalm 139:23-24. I am quoting here from the New Living Translation: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Are you willing to pray that prayer? Are you willing to examine your motives? Are they truly Christ-centered? Are they others-centered? Or are your motives self-centered? As we pray that prayer, in a spirit of openness, I believe God will reveal the truth when I am willing to hear it.

Here’s the problem. It’s almost impossible to get to the right place with the wrong motives. It’s almost impossible to end up in the right destination when you start with the wrong why. That is because motives matter.

For instance, why are you buying the new car? Is it because you can afford it? Do you need reliable transportation? Or are you trying to make a statement that you can’t afford to make?

If you’re complimenting someone, is it because you’re sincere or are you trying to impress them or getting something from them? Motives matter. Why do you do what you do?

If you’re posting a photo on social media, is it because you want to share something meaningful to you, are you pointing to the goodness of God or are you trying to impress people and influence their thinking about you in some way?

Paul said it so powerfully: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17a) Whatever you say or do, do it in a way that is a positive representation of Jesus. Make sure you are bringing honor to him in every aspect and activity of daily living.

You may read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at [email protected].