Check Your Motives at the Door

Ever heard the saying, "Never judge a man's actions until you know his motives"? Why is that true? Because motives are what cause a person to act in a certain way. Why are we so interested in the motivation behind someone's actions? Well, it's because a wrong assumption (about someone's motives) determines how we view something someone does. If we know that something's done purely to make an individual look better, we won't appreciate it. Although, we might guess at someone's motives, God knows with certainty each person's motivation.

Receive
"And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure" (James 4:3, NLT).

"But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted" (John 15:7, NLT).

1. What is one thing mentioned in these verses that keeps us from getting what we ask God for?
2. When our motives are wrong, whose best interests are we looking for?
3. How can we make sure our motives are good?

Reflect
One of the biggest roadblocks in our prayer lives is asking God for something for all the wrong reasons. God isn't going to honor us by answering prayers that don't honor Him. We want what benefits us--not what is pleasing and right with God. Ask yourself:

1. What am I really after when I pray?
2. What are the things I'm praying for right now?
3. What is my motivation in those prayers?

Respond
When we realize that we're coming to God with wrong motives, we must deal with it like the rest of the sin in our lives. We have to confess it to God and move on. We have to change our motives and then come before God with the right motives.

Take some time today to conduct a "motives checkup." Make sure that when you come before God with a prayer request, you have the right motive. Remember, we can't hide our motives from God.