'Motive' is the underlying reason for anything you do. The Bible reveals that our hearts are 'deceitful and desperately wicked', therefore we must constantly evaluate the 'why' of our actions. Regardless of outward appearance, fleshly efforts to serve God fall short ...
People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. (Proverbs 16:2)
2. If there is no visible payoff, would I continue to serve?
A self-centered believer wonders why his prayers go unanswered ... You ask and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives, so you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:3)
The latent sinful nature naturally seeks to exalt itself. Christians must continually surrender their will to God's ... So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. (Galatians 5:16-17)
An unsaved person operates from a variety of negative motives. Pride, anger, revenge, a sense of entitlement, an overwhelming need for approval ... all result in desperate attempts to fill a void only the Son of God can satisfy.
When a sinner opens himself to the truths found in Scripture, his vain motives are revealed ... For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
The Gospel of Jesus Christ clears the way for a joyous 'New Motive' ... the desire to please the Lord and bring glory to Him alone.
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