In the realm of spiritual truth, the most crucial factor is not just what is said but why it is said. Motives, our inner intentions, profoundly influence how we interpret Scripture, deliver messages, and even how we perceive others’ words and actions. As ministers and believers, our motives shape our understanding of God’s Word and determine whether we communicate His truth accurately or distort it for personal gain.
The Bible teaches us that motives are the foundation upon which our understanding and application of God’s Word rest. When motives are impure, driven by selfishness, pride, or manipulation, Scripture can be twisted, turned upside down, and used as a tool for personal agendas rather than divine purposes.
Beware of turning God’s Word upside down because of selfish motives. Instead, seek purity of heart, integrity, and a desire to see souls transformed and prepared for eternity.
The Power of Motives in Interpreting Scripture:
1. Motives Determine How We Interpret God’s Word
The Bible warns against misusing Scripture for selfish reasons. 2 Peter 3:16 says:
“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
Wresting Scripture, twisting or misinterpreting it, is often motivated by personal agendas. When motives are selfish, prideful, or manipulative, the interpretation becomes skewed.
2. The Danger of Selfish Motives
Jeremiah 17:9-10 declares:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
Our hearts can deceive us, leading us to interpret Scripture in ways that justify our desires or agendas. Ministers must guard against this by examining their motives before delivering God’s Word.
3. The Danger of Using God’s Word for Personal Gain
2 Peter 2:1-3 warns:
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
False teachers often twist Scripture to serve their own ends. Their motives are impure, driven by greed, pride, or a desire for influence.
The Heart of the Minister: Purity and Integrity
1. Preach the Word with Pure Motives
Titus 2:7 “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.”
Ministers are called to preach with sincerity, integrity, and genuine love for souls, not for personal glory or financial gain.
2. Avoid the Trap of People-Pleasing
Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
The motives behind our words must be to please God, not to win human approval. When motives are pure, God’s truth flows freely and powerfully.
3. Guard Your Heart
Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Ministers must continually guard their hearts against selfish ambitions, pride, and manipulation, ensuring that their motives remain pure before delivering God’s Word.
Telling People What They Need, Not Just What They Want:
1. The Power of Truth That Transforms
People often prefer comfortable, flattering words, but what they need is the truth that will set them free and prepare them for eternity. John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Ministers must be willing to speak the hard truths, even when it is unpopular, because truth is what transforms lives.
2. The Danger of Tickling Ears
2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Ministers must resist the temptation to tell people what they want to hear and instead deliver what they need to hear, God’s truth.
3. The Role of the Minister: To Prepare Men for Eternity
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Ministers are called to preach messages that prepare souls for eternity, not just to entertain or flatter.
The Words That Transform and Prepare Men for Eternity
1. Speak Words Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Ministers must speak words empowered and inspired by the Holy Spirit, not human opinion.
2. Preach with Authority, Not Arrogance
Matthew 7:28-29 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Ministers need divine authority, rooted in humility and the fear of God, not arrogance or manipulation.
3. Words That Heal, Save, and Deliver
James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
The Word of God, spoken with the right motives, has the power to heal, deliver, and save.
The Consequences of Motivated Misinterpretation:
When motives distort God’s Word:
The message loses its power to transform lives.
Souls are misled, leading to spiritual harm and deception.
God’s name is dishonored when His Word is used for selfish gain.
Eternal destinies are affected because truth is compromised.
Galatians 1:8-9 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Motives matter profoundly because they determine the integrity of the message.
How to Ensure Your Motives Are Pure:
1. Regular Self-Examination
2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
Ministers should continually evaluate their motives, are they driven by love, humility, obedience, and a desire to see souls saved?
2. Seek the Holy Spirit’s Guidance
John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.”
The Holy Spirit reveals our motives and purifies our intentions.
3. Prioritize God’s Glory Over Personal Glory
Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Our primary goal must be to glorify God, not to elevate ourselves.
4. Deliver the Word with Love and Compassion
Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”
Motives rooted in love will ensure that God’s Word is delivered with compassion, humility, and truth.
The Power of Pure Motives in God’s Service:
1. Your motives shape your message.
If selfishness, pride, or manipulation guide your heart, your interpretation of God’s Word will be distorted. Instead, seek purity of heart, humility, and a genuine desire to see souls transformed.
2. Speak what people need, not just what they want.
People often prefer comforting lies, but what they need is God’s truth that will set them free and prepare them for eternity.
3. The Word of God is alive and powerful.
When spoken with pure motives, it penetrates deeply, transforms lives, and ushers souls into eternity.
Yours In His Service
C. C. RAYMOND
