Examination

Examination

Q: Complete the proverb: “People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their __________.”

• a. hearts
• b. thoughts
• c. motives

Has anyone ever asked you, “Why did you do that?” If so, the person was asking the reasons for your actions. Sometimes we do things that make sense to us but not to others. Part of the problem is we sometimes aren’t very good judges of our own actions. It’s easy for us to justify what we do. “I did that because she . . .” or “It won’t matter if I do this just this once because . . .”

Today’s proverb says people might think they are right, but God examines their motives. A motive is your reason for doing something. In fact, you can do something good but do it for all the wrong reasons. This happens a lot at church. You might memorize Bible verses, which is a good thing. But you might only do it to win a prize your Sunday school teacher offered for learning those verses. Or you might help clean up a mess in the youth room, which is a good thing. But you only do it so others will notice how helpful you are. You may befriend the new girl, which is a good thing. But you only do it because you know the youth pastor is watching and will say good things about you to your parents.

What should your motive be? There are two verses that answer that question. Colossians 3:23 says, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Do everything you do for God, not for attention or because you have to.

The Bible also says, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Make sure that you seek to glorify God in all you do.

If you keep these two verses in mind, then you can always have the right motive.

For You

Before you act, stop and examine your motives. Are you doing it for the Lord? Are you doing it to glorify God? It’s easy to justify the things you do, but God knows the reason behind your actions.

Answer: c

People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.   Proverbs 16:2

(The Whole Story: Proverbs 16)