Motives

The wisdom and appropriateness of our actions can often be assessed by asking ourselves the simple question, “Why?” Of course it should go without saying that nothing can be considered biblically wise or appropriate if it is biblically prohibited. A good motive cannot salvage a sinful action, but plenty of good actions have been polluted - if not completely annulled by a bad motive. Jesus taught us that even generous and sacrificial acts are in fact sinful when done for selfish reasons (Matthew 6:2). Regardless of the apparent “godliness” of an action, if a twisted reason is behind it, there is nothing righteous about it (Matthew 6:1; Matthew 23). Yet frequently we take this unnecessary risk by failing to ask ourselves why we are going to do what we are about to do. We may just assume that if it is not a prohibited act, then it’s fine and there is no need to go to all the work of trying to discern our motives. But God calls us to ask ourselves “Why?” “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes” the Bible tells us, “but the Lord weighs the spirit” (Proverbs 16:2). Our forthcoming evaluation by Christ will “disclose the purposes of the heart” (1 Corinthians 4:5). So before you go there, do this, send or post that, be sure to evaluate your reasons.

For more sermons and devotionals on Motives, please go to the Focal Point Ministries website at www.focalpointministries.org.