Are Your Motives Pure? Check Your Intentions!

“All the ways of a man are clean in his sight, but the LORD weighs the motives.” Proverbs 16:2

The world is full of people with different motives. For example, some people are selfless and only want to help others, while others are more selfish and only care about themselves. Therefore, checking your intentions and ensuring they are pure before you take action is important. Otherwise, you may end up doing more harm than good. That’s why we should make sure that we are doing what is good for the right reasons. Otherwise, we may end up sinning against God.

Though checking our motives is not always easy. We may not even be aware of our ulterior motives. But it’s important to take a step back and examine our intentions before taking action. Remember, the right intention or purpose in the spirits keeps our physical in the right direction. God is not just interested in what you’ve done or are doing; your intentions and motives are more important to Him. Unfortunately, many prayers have been turned down because they lack the right purposes.

James 4:17 says, “Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.”

Our desire and intensity are not just the major prerequisites for an answered prayer; God looks deeply inside you to check your divine purpose for your request. Intention is the key to living a life that is meaningful and fulfilling. It’s why we have so many desires and aspirations in life. It determines the direction and outcomes of our lives. Daniel Wallace said, “A storyteller makes up things to help other people; a liar makes up things to help himself.”

In everything, ensure you develop the right intention. You must have the right motive whenever you desire to please God or channel your works toward His kingdom. Anything that doesn’t possess a glimpse of God’s light or word must be checked. Irrespective of the challenges of this world, issues, prejudices, feelings, or environmental crises, endeavor to have the right intentions at all times. Do not be moved by what others do; sidestep the deceptive idea of the devil in your life. Remember, God will bless us when we live with the right intention. And when we pray with the right intent, God will answer us. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:5 says, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.”

Prayer:
1. Thank God for today’s devotion and blessing, and praise God for his goodness in all things.
2. Lord, let your word teach me and guide me into your will. I refuse to be carried away by the lust of this world in Jesus’ name. Amen.