Intentions and Motives

 

Photo courtesy Chionsu Barclay

Throughout the bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, passages can be found which speak of intentions and motives. That tells us that our intentions and motives are of great concern to God and should be equally concerning to us.

If those intentions are godly and those motives are good, then our lives will be aligned with love and to be so aligned is essential to living fulfilling lives. However, if our intentions and motives stem from a place of selfishness, then we are treading the line of defilement.

In the gospel of Mark 7:20, 21& 23 (ESV) Jesus tells us, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts…All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Understand that our choices, actions and words, are all reflections of what is happening in our hearts; not the physical blood-pumping organ but a deeper place within us. The intentions and motives behind every choice we make, every action we take and everything we say reveal the core of our character.

Therefore, we must, as Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) tells us, guard our hearts above all else. The reason being that it determines the course of our lives. Our intentions and motives which emanate from within us, not only determine the course of our lives but also impact the lives of those around us.

All of us, Christian and non-Christian alike, tend to act one way in front of others but have different intentions and motives behind our actions. I have seen persons acting like the best Christian, pious and humble, in church on a Sunday but completely different on a Wednesday; they put on a religious false front, a performance, for the benefit of other churchgoers.

People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. (Proverbs 16:2 NLT)

The very first example of a religious false front is seen after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit when they sewed fig leaves together (see Genesis 3:7-10) and it’s sad that the religious covering is still being utilised today. But just as God saw through Adam and Eve’s futile attempts, He sees through ours. God sees through everything; He sees straight into our hearts past any religious performances.

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV)

We cannot hide from God, especially via dead works. The sewing of fig leaves was the first religious act and as with every religious performance since then, it does not work.

Don’t you know that God is omniscient? There’s absolutely no hiding place from His presence (see Psalm 139).

It’s clearly written in Hebrews 4:13 (ERV),

Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. He can clearly see all things. Everything is open before him.

All our intentions and motives, good or bad, honourable or not, are laid bare before God. He knows all our thoughts and desires (1 Chronicles 28:9 GNT). We are open books to God; even from a distance He knows what we’re thinking (ref. Psalm 139:2 MSG).

Keep in mind that, the Lord searches all hearts and examines secret motives and He gives all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve (ref. Jeremiah 17:10 NLT). Even our good actions can be driven by unhealthy intentions and motives.

You and I must take a closer and honest look at why we do what we do. We may find that our intentions and motives are rooted in a need to be in control or pride or a yearning for approval.

Beloved, while you may see yourself as good and believe that your actions are justified, God knows what is truly going on inside you and any great spiritual work that’s to be done in your life is God’s to do. The choice to seek transformation lies squarely in your lap. Your ultimate goal must be your emergence into a life that is wholly God-centered, focused on doing right because it is the right thing to do.

Living with good intentions and motives gives you a sense of peace, love, fulfilment and brings you to a place of genuine care and sincerity.

And now may the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be pleasing to God (ref. Psalm 19:14).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Intentions and Motives” ©2026 May 14, 2026