Why?
Posted 10/9/2001
Why do we do things? What motivates us to go ahead with a plan, and not even try others? It's all in the heart.
Let's talk about motives for a little bit, and look at what the Bible has to say about the heart's contribution to this topic:
Our motives inevitably play out into what we do (or don't)
- Delilah could tell Samson didn't really want to tell her his secret Jud 16:15.
- Pr 4:23 declared that the springs of life flow from the heart.
- "For as he thinks in his heart, so he is." Pr 23:7.
- The mouth is the overflow of the heart Mt 12:34, Luk 6:45
- The heart provides material for the mouth Mt 15:18-19.
- Belief in our hearts is key to salvation Rom 10:10.
- Temptation starts from the lust in every heart Jas 1:14-15
We hide our intents
- Flatterers smoothly keep their true motives out of view Ps 12:2, Ps 55:21.
- Evil men keep their devious plans to themselves Pr 23:7.
- The Pharisees had putrid hearts, but made themselves out to be pillars of righteousness Luk 11:39.
- The Pharisees motivation was the accolades of men Luk 11:43
- Jesus hid the meaning of his sendoff to Judas from the rest of the disciples John 13:28
The secrets in our hearts are wide open to God
- He knows our hearts, and searches them out Ps 44:21
- He started knowing them while we were still in our mothers' wombs Ps 139:13
- Just as wide open as hell is to God Pr 15:11
- He tries our hearts Jer 11:20; 17:10
- He dwell right in them in the person of the Holy Spirit Act 15:8
Redeemed hearts become more and more motivated by the Word of God
- The righteous heart studies its answers Pr 15:28
- The unbelieving heart can be moved to repentance by the power of the prophesying of the Word of God 1Co 14:25
- Our hearts can be powerful motivators for good, because of God's power in us 2Co 4:7
- The Word of God cuts right through to the deepest, most hidden intents of the heart Heb 4:12
- God made a covenant to put the His laws into the hearts of the people of Israel Heb 8:10
- The confidence of a heart full of faith allows us to draw near to God Heb 10:22
- Take on the same motivation that Christ had to cease from sin 1Pe 4:1
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