Why do we do what we do? If you’ve ever watched a show about acting, you’ve heard someone say, “What’s my motivation?”

It’s probably a good question to ask ourselves! God is not real impressed by what we do; it’s the motivation behind it that matters. We tend to put more emphasis on the good deeds we do, but God always knows what our true motivation is:

Proverbs 16:2

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,

But the LORD weighs the motives.

Haven’t you ever done something good for the wrong reason? Were you trying to impress other people with your spirituality or generosity? The motivation behind a deed is what makes the deed good or bad. It doesn’t matter how good they may look, if you’re doing it for the wrong reason, it won’t impress God!

1 Corinthians 4:5

5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

We’ve seen how important this principle is in relation to prayer. Wrong motivation can keep your prayers from being answered!

James 4:3

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

It’s really easy sometimes to do something good, and have people be impressed with it, even though you did it for the wrong reason. Nobody will know, right? Unfortunately, there is one Person who is never fooled!

Hebrews 4:12-13

12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

God doesn’t just look at the outward (like we tend to do), but He knows your thoughts and intentions – the WHY you did it in addition to WHAT you did!

13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

He always knows the real reason you do things. Just keep this fact in mind, and your motivation will be correct:

Colossians 3:23-24

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.