Motive of the Heart

Warriors Arise: December 1, 2023

Matthew 6:1-4 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."

Only God knows the motive of our heart. We can think we are doing something without any motive of arrogant self-praise, but when we invite God to evaluate our motive, we might find differently. He will speak truth. Our position is to listen. It is healthy to place our actions and thoughts before the Lord. He is kind and loving even when He has to correct us.

I trust God to convict my motives. I want Him to convict me when I am operating in arrogance. He desires for each one of us to be pure in heart because we represent Him. However, He does like to celebrate and when we have accomplished a God task or something that He has been a part of, then He encourages us to celebrate Him and with Him. (Matthew 25: 14-30)

For most of us, we can't trust the opinions of people because they don't know us well enough to give us clear feedback. They didn't know what was running through our mind and most of the time their judgement is based on their personal life view, it isn't based upon the personal life view of the one they are judging.

In that moment of time, who knows what we were thinking, going through, the challenges and struggles to achieve what was conquered. So, when we share an amazing breakthrough, conquering fear, rsources being provided, strength being renewed, God task we have been assigned, or health being restored, it is a big deal. If they aren't in the battle, they don't really know. So, like Jesus, we learn to extend people grace, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

I learned this when we were in the health battle with Lydia who was fighting A.L.L. Leukemia. I realized I had wronged people in my judgments of their celebrations and victories, not only in their health, but in other areas in their lives. I had sinned in my judgment because 1. I am not God; therefore, I should not be judging them in this manner. 2. I have no idea what they faced just to wake up this morning and get out of bed.

I decide if they felt it was worth sharing, then it must have been a big deal, much greater than my personal perspective. I was not in the trenches with them. I did not know what demons they faced to accomplish what they did, the friendships they lost, or family members who didn't know how to support them or choose not too.

We do not celebrate enough. We do not celebrate our accomplishments or even what God has done through us enough. If God was involved then shouldn't He get the praise. Isn't it arrogant and prideful if we do not celebrate what He has done? How will people know God is real, active and that He wants to be involved in our lives and their's, if we are not celebrating Him?

I like the verse, "Search me and find if there be any wicked way in me." David invites the Lord to search Him. We can think we know but there are times we go a little too far. However, in either situation, we can only be held accountable for our own motives. If we are boasting to get affirmation from God or people, then our heart isn't in the right place. If we are sharing what God is doing with us and through us to give Him glory, then our heart is pure.

Paul says the he doesn't boast in himself, but in Christ alone. In the same breath, he told all he had gone through in serving God. To one it may seem like he was boasting. To Paul, he was sure, he wasn't boasting in himself, but in God.

Father, I come before You today and ask for You to search me and see if there be any wicked way in me. I want may praise to give You glory and bring You honor. I want people to know You are amazing and Your ways are good. Your love is incredible. My desire is to know You and to celebrate Your wondrous acts of love. I am honored to join You in doing great exploits. I will magnify Your name and share of Your goodness and all You have done in me. You are wonderful and I give You praise in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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