What is Your Motive?

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10

My favorite word is “motive”. I know that is a very strange word to claim as a favorite and I will explain my rationale in a moment. But as I ponder the thought of “God within us” it makes me take pause. While there is no doubt I often feel the presence of God within me via the Holy Spirit, I know there are many times, especially those in which I become more reactive to negative circumstances around me that I lose sight of the fact that I have a special gift that can help me to control my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

In my haste, I react more with worldly values than with the fruit of the Spirit. This of course often leads not only to poor behavior but also to feelings of regret and guilt in knowing that I could have handled the situation much better.

That brings me back to the word motive. Depending upon my motive my course of action in any circumstance can range from ‘proving to disapproving’; from ‘smart to not so smart’; and from ‘caring to insensitive’.

When we think of our decision-making process there are three basic motives we can use to justify our actions.

To indulge in self gratification
To impress others
To please God
Yes, as believers we are filled with the Holy Spirit – it is God within us. However, as humans we are easily distracted and allow outside influences to lead us to react to situations in ungodly ways. The key to maintaining a sense of God with us is awareness. We must attempt to remain cognitive of the fact that we are children of God and that He wants to work through us to demonstrate His glory. One of the best ways to remain cognitive that God is always presence with us is to always ask the question “what is my motive”? And if it is for the glory of God most likely you’re on the right track.