Iremember when the job I wanted out of college was to assist a world-renown speaker as she traveled the world. For some reason, I thought it had Tishonna Hicks’ name written all over it. When someone else was selected, I was so mad, upset, and frustrated. I didn’t understand why UNTIL I opened my heart and mind to gain some understanding and came across James 4:3, which reads:
“You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.”
Simply put, there are things we are not getting because our motives are not founded in truth and love, but self. Motives are the underlying reason for an action and sometimes we can even fool ourselves into believing we are choosing certain actions for God or to benefit others, but in all actuality, we are not. Take my “Dream Job” for example. I figured since the woman I wanted to assist was a world-renowned preacher, spreading the GOOD NEWS was the reason for my choice…ummm…WRONG! It wasn’t for the experience, growth, or God. It was for the status…to make my insecure self (at the time) feel important.
Please know that personal satisfaction, such as taking a vacation or having a fun day with friends, is not wrong in and of themselves. Motivation becomes an issue when we are not honest with ourselves about WHY we are doing the things we do. Motives should not originate from a place of anger, pride, revenge, loneliness, need of approval, jealousy or self-entitlement. It is with those wrong motives that the reasons for your desires are rooted in selfishness.
You, therefore, might say, “Well, no one knows my motives, so I’m good,” but contrary! In 1st Corinthians 4:5, it reads: “For He will both bring to light the [secret] things that are hidden in darkness and disclose the motives of the hearts.” God wants us to know that He knows why we do what we do and desires to reward those whose hearts are right toward Him. In addition, 1st Thessalonians 2:4 says our motive should be to please God, and there is no reward, according to Matthew 6:1, if it’s done for any other reason.
So, it’s important CONTINUALLY (because it’s an easy mistake to make) to check your motives:
1. Evaluate what you want. What are your desires? What do you want to achieve?
Example: Bob wants a promotion.
2. Be honest as to why. Again, BE HONEST. Why do you want what you want…do what you do…say what you say?
Example: Bob thinks his promotion will provide more educational opportunities for his children.
3. For a second check, filter all things through the Word of God.
Example: Bob reads a scripture on jealousy and realizes one reason he wants more opportunities for his children is to appear more financially established than his peers.
Once again, there is nothing wrong with Bob wanting a promotion or wanting more opportunities for his children, but doing a quick check with God’s words guarantees he is right in all areas of his heart. If Bob didn’t adhere to God’s word, he could have put pressure on his children to achieve their goals sourced from a place of frustration instead of wise guidance sourced in love. Sometimes motives seem all well and good on the surface, but the end result could lead to far worse things than we could ever imagine.
On this note, don’t be alarmed if some of your prayers are not answered. God is giving you opposition to go back and get your motives on the right track they do not harm you in the long run. Please know He is FOR you and wants the best for your life. Click here for challenges and daily devotionals to help guide you in establishing the right motives.