How can we ensure our motives align with God's will, unlike Judas'? Judas’ Exposed Heart—John 12:6 “He did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.” What Went Wrong for Judas • Public concern for the poor masked private greed. • He treated ministry resources as personal property. • His hidden sin dulled his love for Christ until betrayal became thinkable. Guardrails for Our Own Motives • Ground every intention in love for Jesus, not image management (1 Corinthians 13:3). • Stay accountable—transparent handling of money, time, and influence (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). • Let Scripture cut through self-deception: “For the word of God is living and active… it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). • Invite regular heart-searching: “Search me, O God, and know my heart… lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23-24). Daily Practices That Realign the Heart 1. Spirit-Led Self-Examination • End each day asking, “Did I seek God’s glory or my own?” • Confess misaligned motives immediately; receive cleansing (1 John 1:9). 2. Secret Generosity • “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). • Serving unseen trains the soul to crave God’s approval alone. 3. Scripture-Fed Prayer • Pray Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” • Ask God to shape both desires and actions. 4. Spirit-Filled Walk • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16). • Continuous submission to the Spirit uproots selfish ambition. Warning Signs of Motive Drift • Resentment when unnoticed or unthanked. • Private compromise where no one sees. • Disregard for stewardship boundaries. • Using spiritual language to hide self-interest (James 4:3). Encouragement for the Journey • “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23). • “Test and prove what pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10). • “Let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.” (1 John 3:18). With vigilant hearts, honest accountability, and Spirit-empowered love, we can pursue motives that honor God—and avoid the tragic path Judas chose. |
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