"People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives." Proverbs 16:2
In one of our recent Women's Bible Studies we talked about 4 of the most dangerous words that can be spoken, "Well I just think..." Yes, we've all ventured down that winding road at one time or another haven't we?
For those who have decided against surrendering their hearts and lives to Christ, "Well I just think..." is really a convenient way to say - "Im not interested." Usually "Well I just think" is followed by something like: "if you try to be a good person" or "all roads are leading to heaven anyway" or the ever popular "You just have to do the best you can and hope everything works out alright". Hmmm. These all sound good don't they? The only problem is that Jesus himself always gets in the way when he said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." Not much wiggle room there.
For the rest of us who have a relationship with Christ but often wrestle with that little "O" word (obedience), those other 4 words probably roll off the end of our tongues alot more often that they should. How about: "Well I just think you have to speak your mind and if people don't like it--too bad", or "Well I just think that what I do in my free time is nobody else's business," or finally, "Well I just think that God would want me to be happy". Hmmm. Again, sounds good doesn't it? You know what though? I just can't seem to shake the last half of Proverbs 16:2 - "...but the Lord examines their motives." Ouch!
Webster's Dictionary defines motive as - something (a need or desire) that causes a person to act. In Psalm 139:23-24 David asks the Lord, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
Are we there yet?
