“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7 God see’s our hearts. He knows our motives. Today’s blog topic is “What’s Motivating You?"
Have you ever witnessed somebody that did something that appeared to be nice (or a good thing to do), yet they were doing it for the wrong reasons. Matthew 6:5 shows an example of this, it reads as follows: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” In this verse Jesus was talking about people who were praying so that they could be seen by others (and notice that he called them hypocrites). The motivation behind their prayer was for the wrong reasons.
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
It’s important that we examine ourselves and look at what’s motivating us in our lives. As Christians, the motivation for things we do should be to give God glory. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to do things for selfish gain. We live in a world where many people lack integrity, and will do whatever it takes to get what they want. With this being said, it’s crucial that we renew our minds daily with the Word of God, so that we don’t develop a mindset of doing vain things. Never try to use the influence that comes with things such as leadership positions as a way to cover up an insecurity you have. If we have an insecurity about something in our lives, we should deal with it by getting in the Word, praying, and casting our cares upon Christ. Don’t allow the praises/criticisms of other people towards you to get you off track. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Our focus should be on doing God’s will, and doing things in His timing. Remember, one day we all will give an account to God for the way we lived life on earth. People can fool other people, but they can’t fool God. As we continue to grow in our walk in Christ, let us always remember the importance of obeying the Word, and renewing our minds.
“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” – 1 Corinthians 3:10-17
Have you ever witnessed somebody that did something that appeared to be nice (or a good thing to do), yet they were doing it for the wrong reasons. Matthew 6:5 shows an example of this, it reads as follows: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” In this verse Jesus was talking about people who were praying so that they could be seen by others (and notice that he called them hypocrites). The motivation behind their prayer was for the wrong reasons.
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
It’s important that we examine ourselves and look at what’s motivating us in our lives. As Christians, the motivation for things we do should be to give God glory. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to do things for selfish gain. We live in a world where many people lack integrity, and will do whatever it takes to get what they want. With this being said, it’s crucial that we renew our minds daily with the Word of God, so that we don’t develop a mindset of doing vain things. Never try to use the influence that comes with things such as leadership positions as a way to cover up an insecurity you have. If we have an insecurity about something in our lives, we should deal with it by getting in the Word, praying, and casting our cares upon Christ. Don’t allow the praises/criticisms of other people towards you to get you off track. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Our focus should be on doing God’s will, and doing things in His timing. Remember, one day we all will give an account to God for the way we lived life on earth. People can fool other people, but they can’t fool God. As we continue to grow in our walk in Christ, let us always remember the importance of obeying the Word, and renewing our minds.
“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” – 1 Corinthians 3:10-17