MOTIVE

Motive is something that gets below the surface of ones being. If I had to define it differently from Webster it would be the "real" part of our being. The part that gets to the intent of our heart.

We have used the terms pure motives, mixed motives, and hidden motives to evaluate the "whys" behind someone's behavior.

I have discovered in my own life how easy it is to judge somebody's intent with these terms. Even though scripture tells us that man looks at the outer appearance but God looks at the heart, we insist on doing God's job at times.

Maybe we should spend more time examining our own motives. David prayed that God would search his own heart to see if there would be any wicked intent. That takes a lot of honesty and vulnerability to say that to God.

The apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 1:12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to the God's grace.

What is your boast? Have you recently done an honest examination of your motives in your ministry ? If so, do they come up pure, mixed, or hidden? God knows.