GOD WILL REVEAL OUR TRUE MOTIVES
One of the enemy's best deceptions that so many of us get tricked by is thinking we know the difference between what is good and what is bad. It sounds harsh, but this is the original sin by choosing the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Everything can look great in what a person is doing until they begin to reveal their motives.
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.” (Proverbs 16:2)
The word "motives" in today’s devotional means the underlying actions behind the action. God weighs all the thoughts involved in whatever acts we do. The weighing that God does involve taking the act or acts and putting them through His "moral evaluation" where not the act itself is tested, but the underlying actions in which the act was done.
Unfortunately, we far too often decide what is good or bad based on our feelings and not the Bible and what God says. We need to remember it is God who weighs and examines the motives and intents of the heart and knows the truth. It is God alone Who is our final judge.
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-14)
If we look only at the acts of a person, most people will look fairly good. But why is this person doing what they do? Is there an ulterior motive behind what they do?
This is why King Solomon says that even though a person's ways are clean in their own eyes, God is going to weigh the motives behind all their deeds. It is like a person giving millions to a cause, but they only did it for all the good press it will earn them or for what financial benefit it will serve them.
Sure the money will bless those who receive it, but the heart of the one who gave it did it out of the wrong motives and they did not receive the full blessings they could have received by giving with a pure heart with no other motivations at all.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
It is very possible to do the right thing the wrong way or even worse with the wrong underlying actions. This is usually hard for us because we always think whatever we are doing is fine. That is why Today’s Bible verse says that in a person's own sight, a person considers all his own ways clean.
We need God to examine our hearts and reveal to us what is really going on in there. Then and only then can we know for sure if an action in which we are engaging in is a path we are taking, or a word we are speaking, the right or Godly one.
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
It takes us going to the Holy Spirit to understand ourselves. Only God can test us to the level of our spirits. Daily fellowship with God and walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit is the only way to ensure that we are walking in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.
Do not permit your feelings to direct your decisions on what is good and bad. Today, make a decision to allow God to constantly reveal what is good and what is bad as you live your life so that you can make wise and righteous decisions. Then your decisions will be based on God’s Truth and not based on your feelings or what you think is good or bad.
What are your motives based on? God’s Word or your feelings?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word so I can know the difference between right and wrong. Your Word says I must watch out for deception, especially right before Jesus’ return. I see so much deception in this world, offering so much that is contrary to Your Words of Wisdom. No amount of deception of right and wrong is worth spending a life separated from You and for eternity. I will listen to Your Words of right and wrong not what I may think or hear as deception. I am so blessed to have a listening ear and to know Your Holy Spirit within me is guiding me. Whatever I do, in word or deed, I will do all to the glory of You. I honor You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Do Not Permit Your Feelings To Direct Your Decisions On What Is Good And Bad. Today, Make A Decision To Allow God To Constantly Reveal What Is Good And What Is Bad As You Live Your Life So That You Can Make Wise And Righteous Decisions. Then Your Decisions Will Be Based On God’s Truth And Not Based On Your Feelings Or What You Think Is Good Or Bad.
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