Who is a Loser?
Impure Motives

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Key Verse: Colossians 3:5

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

If we are going to become the biggest loser in God’s eyes, we must lose impure motives.  Since God looks upon our inner beings, knowing our every thought and motive, we must lose any impure motives.  In our printed key verse, the Apostle Paul uses the word “impurity.”  The Greek word he actually used was “akatharsia” which often refers to impure motives.  There may be times when a person has impure motives but no opportunity to commit an impure deed.  The Bible makes it clear that God sees the motive and declares that person guilty.

            It is extremely important to examine our motives.  Not only because God judges them, but also because they are the springboard of actual behavior.  If we want to be authentic Christ followers, we must start with an honest examination of our motives.  Why do we do what we do?  The truth is, we normally have a mixture of motives.  It would seldom be true that there is only one single motive behind a behavior.  Our examination is looking for the primary motive of our deeds.

            When you do a good deed for another person, it feels good to you as well.  It’s very tempting to tell others about your actions because it feels good to hear others compliment you.  The question is: Would you do it if it didn’t feel good and no one but God would ever know you did it?

Father, I will need your searchlight on my heart to help me purify my motives.  I want my primary motives to always glorify you!  In Jesus’ name, amen.