Evaluate Your Motivations as a Christian

What are your motivations in the different aspects of your life? In your education, career, social life, personal development and also, as a Christian? Are these motives uncompromising to each other, especially in your journey as a Christian?

Proverbs 16:2 tells us that, “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.” While Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Which brings us to the thought- are our motives really in the right place?

Our motives can spring from a wide variety of factors whether positive or negative. Some might think of vengeance, anger, jealousy, revenge, the desire to be approved by others or the desire to prove themselves to others as motives and while they are indeed selfish, many people are deceived that these motives can be justified. Like mentioned earlier, the heart is deceitful.

So, what are the right motivations and how can we identify if our motivations are actually in the right place?

“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

1 Thessalonians 2:4

Christ would rather see our motives than our actions and moreover, He wants us to know that He can see what no one else can, which is our hearts.

So how can we keep our motives pure? Surrendering our heart to Him and to be controlled by the Holy Spirit is one way.

At the same time, here are also some cues to guide us in setting our motives:

1. If no one ever found out what I was doing, would I continue to do it?
2. Would I do it even if there was no consolation for my actions?
3. If God asked me to take a lower position, would I do it?
4. Am I doing this to praise the Lord or so that others may praise me?
5. If what I did entailed suffering for the Lord, would I still do it?
6. If I get criticized by other, will I continue?
7. If no one shows gratitude for my works, will I continue what I have started?
8. How do I measure my success in this endeavor?

Try to ask yourself these questions and whether the answers to these question glorify the Lord.

Wilson Alvarez, a lover of Jesus Christ had an early experience where he had a vision of the Risen Lord & instantaneously became a believer at the prime age of 3. Through out his young life, he always felt protection and blessings and even though was not walking with the Lord, always acknowledged his blessings. It was when he turned 30, that he became a follower and prayed based on John 3:3 – “In order to enter the Kingdom of God, you must be born again.” Mr. Alvarez enjoys Men’s ministries and is active in the prison ministry movement where he gives weekly leadership and christian talks. For ministry opportunities, please reach him at info@godsfishermen.org