Why do you do the things you do? If we’re honest, we’ll find that we do many things for the wrong reasons. We must constantly check our own hearts to assess the motives behind our actions.
Naturally, we are selfish creatures. We have to be taught to share, to care, and to love. We don’t have to be taught to go after what we want, to think about our own desires, to take care of ourselves. Naturally, we will think about ourselves.
Consider any 2 year old: Mine! No! I want that!
They may be more dramatic than us as adults, but honestly we are just as selfish. It’s imperative for us to rely on the Holy Spirit so we can do things God’s way vs. our own way.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
– Philippians 2:3-5
Nothing done through strife? Consider others better than ourselves? Look on the things of others?
Consider Christ. He is our perfect example.
When we check our motives and ask ourselves: Why am I doing it? We can also consider: What would Jesus do? This was once a popular tag line, but it should still guide our thoughts. Whatever we do, we should ask ourselves: Would Jesus do this?
If He would, we must still check our motives to ensure we’re doing it for the right reasons. It is very, very easy to do seemingly right things for all the wrong reasons.
Why do you do the things you do?
Want to be the best? Wrong motive.
Want to look the best? Wrong motive.
Want to have the most? Wrong motive.
Want to do your own thing? Wrong motive.
Want to do what feels good? Wrong motive.
Want to please others? Wrong motive.
Want to impress others? Wrong motive.
How can we be sure that we have the right motive?
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
– I Corinthians 10:31
Our actions and our motives should glorify God.
There are times when God has to deal with us because of what we do. Then, there are times when He deals with us on why we are doing what we do. God is more concerned with our heart than our outward appearances (I Samuel 16:7). If He can get our hearts right then:
(1) We will want to do what He wants us to do; and
(2) We will do the right things for the right reasons.
I pray that as you go about your day and weekend, that you will ask God:
What is Your will for me in this day?
May He help us all to do everything for His glory.
Read What Sin is in Your Heart?
