“Motives are weighed by the Lord.” Proverbs 16:2 NIV.

A bit of self skepticism can be spiritually heart-healthy.

My thoughts and comments today are about “motives.”

At all times, why is more important than what. Others can see what you do, but no one but yourself – and God – can know why you did so. You can do the right thing for the wrong reason but that rarely works out as well as you might hope. Or you may do the wrong thing for what you thought was a good reason, and then be surprised at the outcome. It is not easy to always know one’s own motives. Many times, our intentions and actions are a mixture of motives, involving benevolence as well as self-interest. Ever asked yourself, “Why did I do that?” More times than not, none of us know our own heart as much as we think we do.

At such moments, a bit of self skepticism can be spiritually heart-healthy. Jeremiah, an Old Testament prophet, explained the problem and its solution this way, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV. The Lord searches the heart. Not even the privacy of one’s heart is unknown to God. The Bible is also a purifier of heart, described as, “living and powerful . . a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV. Open your heart before God and His word.

The Psalmist provides a good example to follow, “Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O God.” Psalm 19:14 NLT. Solomon addressed this muddled mixture of heart as he wrote, “We can gather our thoughts but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your work to the Lord and then your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 NLT. The Lord examines motives. Motives are the secret source of outward behavior. Others may misjudge why you do what you do; you may even be unclear about what motivates your words or actions at times, but God is a reliable source for knowing yourself better. God is there to help you.

There is but one way to purify your motives; invite the Holy Spirit to reveal what is otherwise unseen by others and unknown to you. In the anguish of his own glaring failures, David cried out to God, “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.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV. God answers such prayers. It is important that your motives are pure before God and man. “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:6-7 NKJV. Your performance will not always be perfect, but when your heart is pure before God; everything is better.

The process is painful to pride; the reward is exceptional blessing. “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:23-24 NKJV.

My prayer for you today is that your heart and life are open and honest before God at all times.