OUR TRUE MOTIVES
One of the best deceptions from the enemy that so many of us get tricked by is thinking we know the difference between good and evil.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. Proverbs 16:2
It sounds harsh, but this is the original sin of 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.
One of the best deceptions from the enemy that so many of us get tricked by is thinking we know the difference between good and evil.
The word motives mean the underlying actions behind the action. God weighs all the thoughts involved in whatever acts we do. The weighing that God does involves 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 it was done.
Unfortunately, we often decide what is good or bad based on our feelings, not the Bible and God's words. We must remember that God 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 the ways of a person 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 possible to do the right thing the wrong way or even worse with the wrong underlying actions. This is usually hard because we think whatever we do is fine.
That is why the Bible verse for today says that in the sight of a person, a person considers all his ways clean.
We need God to examine our hearts and reveal what is happening there. Then and only then can we know for sure if an action we are engaging 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, and 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 we are walking pleasingly to the Lord.
Do not permit your feelings to direct your decisions about good and evil. Today, choose to allow God to constantly reveal what is good and evil as you live your life so that you can make wise and righteous decisions. Then your choices will be based on the truth, not your feelings or what you think is good or bad.
What are your motives based on? The Word of God or your feelings?
Heavenly Father, I will not permit my feelings to direct my decisions about good and evil. Today, I choose to allow You to constantly reveal what is good and evil as I live my life so that I can make wise and righteous decisions. Thank You for such great love that You care about my everyday life in You. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Choose To Allow God To Constantly Reveal What Is Good And Evil As You Live Your Life So That You Can Make Wise And Righteous Decisions.
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