What steps can we take to ensure our motives align with God's will? The Heart Issue Behind Numbers 12:2 “They said, ‘Does the LORD speak only through Moses? Does He not also speak through us?’ And the LORD heard this.” (Numbers 12:2) Miriam and Aaron wanted the spotlight that belonged to Moses. Their words exposed hidden pride and self-promotion—motives God immediately confronted. What happened in their hearts can happen in ours, and Scripture shows us how to guard against it. Why Our Motives Matter • Proverbs 16:2 — “All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.” • James 4:3 — “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.” • 1 Corinthians 4:5 — God “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.” God is not merely interested in what we do; He evaluates why we do it. Warning Signals of Misaligned Motives • Jealousy when others are honored (Numbers 12:2) • Comparison and competition (Galatians 5:26) • Secret hope for personal applause (Matthew 6:1–2) • Irritation when asked to serve unnoticed (Philippians 2:3) Steps to Align Our Motives with God’s Will 1. Invite God’s Inspection • Psalm 139:23-24 — “Search me, O God… see if there is any offensive way in me.” • Set aside quiet moments to let Scripture and the Spirit expose heart attitudes. 2. Submit to Scripture’s Authority • Hebrews 4:12 — God’s Word “judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” • Regular, prayerful reading keeps our inner compass calibrated to truth. 3. Cultivate Humility • Philippians 2:3-4 — “In humility consider others more important than yourselves.” • Actively defer credit; celebrate God’s work through anyone He chooses. 4. Serve for God’s Glory Alone • Colossians 3:17 — “Whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” • Ask, “Would I still do this if no one noticed but God?” 5. Seek the Spirit’s Empowering • Galatians 5:16 — “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Dependence on the Spirit purifies desire and energizes obedience. 6. Embrace Accountability • Proverbs 27:17 — “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” • Invite trusted believers to speak into blind spots and cheer obedience. 7. Practice Gratitude for Others’ Gifts • 1 Corinthians 12:18 — “God has arranged the members… just as He desired.” • Thank God—and tell people—when their ministry prospers. Living It Out Today Begin every task—small or large—by consciously yielding the results and the recognition to the Lord. When jealousy or self-promotion whispers, remember Miriam and Aaron. God hears the heart as clearly as the lips, and He stands ready to reshape our motives until they mirror His own. |
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