Wrong Intentions

How then can we identify wrong motives from our hearts as we plan ahead?

” 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” James 14-15

Wrong motives for taking on certain activities might include the desire for money or ambition at the expense of a relationship. It is doing something simply to show off, the need to look sincere (when we’re not) to be reciprocated of an emotion that we need or that we might need sometime in the future (so we better yet ‘deposit/invest’ something at date to receive the same thing during a time that we might need it). You see, this is really not at all genuinely serving and giving to others.  In the end, it is still us whom we are looking after to be pampered and indulged in. It may be the need to take action too to be admired and esteemed by people. The list goes on; we are guilty of this, we are all.

Taking the time to pause is the key, and really the complete surrender to God and repentance are what are needed to abhor these kinds of attitudes, or rather this kind of character. Let us better yet pray and really ask God to show us our hidden (still) selfish agenda behind our endeavors which may be fronting as good, but have the shadows of selfishness and envy.

It is simple to detect good intentions. If it is to please God and serve others, then it is the right one. You and I will know. When you still do it (with all joy and lightness at heart) even the odds are against you, then you are at the right position.