Jim Stewart writes...

I was reminded again the other day how unnoticed our motives are in the course of a typical day. Motives are the desires of the heart that determine everything we do. They are therefore a very critical element of who we are. But with that said they operate in a way that renders them totally invisible to us most of the time. Our desires, motives, are such an integral part of what we are that they garner relatively little attention from us. We merely go about our business dealing with people and situations as we always have rarely asking ourselves, “Why did I do that?” or “Why did I react that way?” Most people assume that’s just the way they are and try to deal with the consequences of their actions which are driven by their desires. James tells us that can be disastrous to relationships and make for a very unpleasant life (James 4:1-3).

When a person is saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, God begins a transforming work in that person. We call the process sanctification. It is God making us like Himself. That process is focused in the heart, the seat of our motives or desires. We are called as Christians to understand these powerful influences operating in us and we are to learn to think differently about why we do what we do.

The renewed mind of the believer is to lead to a life motivated by the desire to please Christ and not self. The love for Christ is to control us and not our natural desires, our love for Him leading us to do as He has revealed we should. We must therefore be constantly examining our heart and seeking to understand what motivates us to do what we do. If it is anything other than His glory we must be quick to put it off and replace it with a determination to do what is pleasing to Him. In doing so we are blessed and experience the joy of our salvation.