As humans, our actions and behaviors are constantly being observed and evaluated, not only by others around us but also by a higher being – God. In our journey towards righteousness and spiritual growth, our intentions or motives behind our actions play a crucial role. God not only takes into account our deeds but also seeks to understand the reasons behind them. The motive behind an action determines its value and is ultimately the criterion that God uses to judge our behavior.
While it’s essential to engage in good deeds and acts of kindness towards others, God emphasizes the significance of our intentions. In the Bible, 1 Samuel 16:7 states, “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” This verse highlights the fact that God’s evaluation goes beyond the external actions and extends to the motives and intentions in our hearts.
God’s judgment focuses on the heart because it reveals our true character. It’s easy for anyone to perform good deeds for external validation or personal gain without genuine concern for others. However, God desires authenticity and sincerity in our acts of compassion, love, and justice. He desires selflessness rather than selfish motives. Matthew 6:1-4 urges us to give to the needy without seeking recognition or drawing attention to ourselves. God acknowledges the purity of heart and selfless motives behind our actions, which are far more valuable than any external validation or personal gain.
The motives behind our behavior also reflect our relationship with God. When we’re motivated by love and reverence for God, our actions become an expression of our faith. Galatians 5:6 beautifully captures this concept, stating that “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Our love for God and others becomes the driving force behind our actions, moving us to serve, help, and uplift those around us.
Additionally, our motives play a role in shaping our spiritual growth and developing a genuine relationship with God. When we cultivate pure motives, seeking to please and honor God, we align ourselves with His values and principles. It’s through sincere motives that we can grow and mature spiritually, drawing closer to God and becoming more Christ-like in our character.
However, it’s important to note that our motives can be flawed. Our hearts can be influenced by selfish desires, pride, jealousy, or seeking personal glory. In these instances, our actions lose their value in God’s eyes. Proverbs 21:2 reminds us, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” God sees beyond our external actions and evaluates the motives that drive them.
Therefore, it’s crucial to continually examine our motives and seek to align them with God’s will. Through prayer, self-reflection, and seeking God’s guidance through His word, we can purify our motives and ensure that our behaviors are pleasing to Him. When our motives are aligned with love, compassion, and service towards God and others, our actions become authentic expressions of our faith, and God finds favor in our behavior.
In conclusion, God uses our motives as a criterion to judge our behavior. He not only looks at our actions but also seeks to understand the reasons behind them. Our motives reflect our character, relationship with God, and spiritual growth. Genuine, selfless motives driven by love and reverence for God are what He values, while selfish motives are seen as flawed and lacking in true authenticity. Therefore, let us continually examine and purify our motives, seeking to align ourselves with God’s will, so that our behavior may please Him and bring glory to His name.
