Bible Reading: Proverbs 16:2
Why do you do the things you do for God? When was the last time you checked your motives for doing those things? If it’s been a while (or maybe never) now is a good
time to test your motives.
Proverbs 16:2 tells us, “All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.” In other words, we need to be careful that everything we do is done for the right reasons. Everything we do should be done with the primary purpose of pleasing God.
Sadly, that isn’t always the case. Therefore, we need to continually evaluate our motives and adjust our actions so that our actions and motives please God.
Here is one tool to help you do just that:
Make a list of all of the things that you do for God. Include things like daily devotions, prayer, volunteer work, helping at church, singing in church, asking people to church, witnessing, and so on. Next, test each item by asking yourself the following questions about it.
Am I doing this to impress another person?
Am I doing this to try to impress God?
Am I doing this to attract attention to myself?
Am I doing this to bring honor and attention to Christ?
Once you have tested every activity that you do for God with this test, discard any activities to which you answered, “Yes,” to questions 1, 2, or 3. Continue to do only those activities to which you sincerely answered, “Yes,” to question 4.
You may be able to fool people into believing that you are serving God with pure motives, but you can’t fool God. He knows the truth.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23
Prayer: Heavenly Father, search me and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. Forgive me and cleanse me of anything that offends You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.