Tuesday, 21st March 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: WATCH YOUR MOTIVES
THEME SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 6:3 KJV “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.”
PREPARATORY QUESTION:
- What is a wholesome doctrine?
- What makes good Christians consent to unwholesome doctrine?
Jesus, before His departure, spoke to the disciples concerning the signs of the end of the age and His second coming (Matt 24:3). One of the major signs He gave the disciples was the coming of false teachers. Thus, there will arise leaders who will preach unwholesome doctrines and it will be so convincing. Interestingly, these false teachers will arise from within and also without. Signifying that some will begin well but veer off the truth. How is it possible for a person to begin with the truth and may no longer want to stick to the Truth at some point?
Precious One, our motives determine our direction. This is the reason why if we are not consistent in our motives, refining them to be purer and purer, our direction in life is likely to veer off the ancient pathways.
The Holy Scriptures are God’s inspired words. It is God’s truth. God’s truth is consistent and coherent. Any doctrine that is inconsistent with other doctrines of scripture becomes a false one. A wholesome doctrine is consistent with all other doctrines, fundamentally the finished works of Christ on the cross and the new life of the resurrection from the grave. Such doctrine produces godliness in the life of a believer. It is this, that Paul warns the believers in Ephesus of teachers who teach contrary doctrines that produce no godliness.
Precious one, the evidence of wrong motives is often seen in the drifting of doctrine we teach or want to hear.
“For the time will come, and now is, when they will no longer listen and respond to the healing words of truth. Rather, they will seek out teachers with soothing words that line up with their desires and motives, saying just what they want to hear”, Apostle Paul warned (2 Tim 4:3).
In as much as there will be false teachers, there will also be false believers who want God’s doctrine to be bent to suit their motives.
Such that some Christians are pampering themselves with the belief that monies ill-gained can be sanctified once the tithe is given. That belief is not of God and cannot be accepted by the God who said, “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:22).
Beloved in Christ, God is not interested in your action as much as your motives. This is why God looks at the heart when men look at outward appearance (1 Sam 16:7). How pure are your motives in your pursuit of God? Are you in love with God or your motive is to use God to get what you want? Is obedience to God's doctrines your motive or your nice way of enticing God to give you something?
From today going forward, purer motives are informing your direction and actions. God bless you more.
FURTHER READING – Proverbs 15:4
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Have you ever taken time to assess the doctrines you believe?
- How are you going to ensure that you are always walking in sound doctrine as a believer?
CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, thank you for the understanding received of your word. As Christ’s fullness overflows within me day by day, I am receiving grace to be sincere with my own motives and to walk in purer thoughts, in Jesus’ Precious Name. Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Number 2; Psalms 145; Psalms 146; Psalms 147; Luke 12
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