Do Motives Matter?

“Actions speak louder than words”, is an old and ever-valid statement about what really matters, i.e. what people and governments actually do vs. what they say they will do. We have learned to look beyond their mere words, i.e. the ‘talk’ and seek to determine the truthfulness and perhaps veiled motives of the speaker, politician, etc.

If someone’s behavior was beneficial to others, we might overlook their selfish or greedy motives, accepting the reality that we can’t really discern or very effectively control peoples’ motives. We can only reward their beneficial or condemn their harmful or illegal behavior. For example, the punishment for the unlawful killing of another person varies in degree or severity depending, at least in part, on the perceived motive of the accused as determined by the jury. But, selfish, greedy or even malevolent motives associated with behavior that is not per se illegal, may be either not discernable by others or if perceived will likely only result in social condemnation. Thus it could be rightly said that motives often do matter in dealing with criminal behavior but only may matter in non-criminal or non-illegal behavior.

For a Christ follower however, motives always matter, at least to God, even if to no one else. The apostle Paul writes: So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time before the Lord returns. For He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due”. [I Cor 4:5 -NLT].

To be ‘noticed by men, seen by men, honored by men‘-these were the hidden motives of the hearts of the Pharisees, both revealed by and condemned by Jesus when those religious leaders practiced their religious duties of fasting, praying and giving to the poor.[Matt 6:1-6]. Apparently their motives did not include a desire to please God and receive His commendation. They instead received God’s condemnation. They settled for living for and seeking to obtain the praise, honor and recognition of people-a cheap and non-lasting alternative to the ‘well done’ from the mouth of God. “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” [Hebrews 4:13]. The psalmist David prayed: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” [Psalm 19:14].

For a Christ follower, to more fully recognize and increasingly appreciate the fact that motives do matter, will bring about, I suggest, a dramatic shift in how one lives. Seeking and maneuvering for the praise/approval of man will effectively derail our effort to become a more faithful servant of Christ: “For am I now seeking the favor or men or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men I would not be a bondservant [slave] of Christ” [Gal 1:10].

I believe our deep seated thirst for praise is God given and not a result of the Fall, though I also believe that our thirst has been corrupted by sin, resulting in our feeble attempt to satisfy that thirst by ‘drinking from the wrong fountain’ of human praise. God intends for us to get ‘weaned off’ of seeking human praise and instead re-align our motives to be that of seeking to please Him and live for His praise and approval. Ironically, I also believe that God uses us as His agents to offer words of commendation and encouragement to someone traveling through this life, in need of some uplifting and strengthening words. It then appears that though we are not to live for the praise of others, we are to be looking for opportunities to distribute meaningful words of praise/commendation to others as if we were [and in fact we are] agents of God speaking words of approval/commendation on His behalf to people needing to hear encouraging and affirming words. Sometimes, and maybe even often, our motives are mixed and not always pure or altruistic regarding the words we may say or a specific action we may take. That will all get separated out at the judgment seat of Christ. In the meantime, Paul tells us not to judge the motives of others. In fact Paul says he did not even judge his own motives, but left that analysis up to God: “I care very little if I am judged by you or any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” [I Cor 4:3-4]. But like David in the Psalm cited above, I am sure Paul was open to God addressing him if or when his motives were improper.

Are you ready to begin or re-invigorate your journey of abandoning living for the praise of others and instead focusing your energies in living to please the God of the universe? Simultaneously, can your increase your alertness to opportunities for offering genuine words of encouragement to others who cross your path, especially to weary fellow pilgrims who are traveling the sometimes very rugged road to the Celestial City?

CJS