August 24 – Exposed Motives (Psalm 139:23-24)

“All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”(Proverbs 16:2)

IN WORD:
In our constant quest for self-improvement, we focus on the things we do. As we grow spiritually, we measure ourselves by our actions. We’re preoccupied with outcomes, and as long as those are improving, we think we are improving.
But God has a different agenda. He looks at our motives. In fact, Jesus was particularly harsh with a group of legal experts whose deeds were right but whose motives were wrong. The outward behavior, while important, could be ruined by misplaced intent. God wants internal integrity. If that is there, deeds will follow. But it is entirely possible for us to appear right on the outside and be hollow on the inside. Jesus referred to that phenomenon as “whitewashed tombs” — a beautiful exterior masking the death within.
The problem with our perception of ourselves is that we are rarely discerning enough. All of our ways seem innocent to us; we think our intentions are good. But God calls for a closer examination. Are we acting out of self-interest or a passion for God and His Kingdom? Are we focused on our reputation or on His? Are we disciples for the long haul or because we want something soon from God? The answers aren’t as easy as we might think. We cannot arrive at them ourselves. We must be illuminated by the Holy Spirit. He must shine heavy doses of reality into the hidden purposes of our hearts.

IN DEED:
David asked God to search him and know his heart (Psalm 139:23-24). He knew that his intentions mattered to God. He knew well enough that he needed a more objective assessment than his own. There is always more to our designs than we see.
Do you want God to expose your intentions? Ask Him to. He who is motivated by holiness and compassion wants you to share His desires. He wants His motives to become yours. He wants you to share in a purity deeper than you can ever imagine.

“It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it.” -A.W. Tozer-