Why Do You Do What You Do?
Why you do what you do is more important than what you do. Your heart motive is
what counts. People will tell you that if you observe the commandments, you are
going back into bondage, and if you are doing it because you are trying to get
saved, that statement is absolutely true, but if you have sincerely yielded your
heart to the Lord, and are doing it because you love God and so want to do His
will, that makes the difference. Your motive is to please God and live by His
guidelines.
Examine yourself to see the reason you do what you do, what is your intent, plan or
purpose. How we react to a moral dilemma often exposes our real motives.
Frequently we are more worried about getting caught than about doing what is
right. You will see a driver driving down the highway speeding and when they see
a police car, they will slow down.
Jacob did not seem concerned about the deceitfulness of his mother’s plan,
instead he was afraid of getting in trouble while carrying it out (Genesis 27:6-12)
“and Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, behold, I heard your father speak
to Esau your brother, saying. Bring me version, and make me savory meat, that I
may eat, and bless you before the Lord Yahweh before my death. Now therefore
my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you. Go now to the
flock, and bring me from there two good kids of the goats, and I will make them
savory meat for your father, such as he loves. And you shall bring it to your father,
that he may eat, and that he may bless you before his death. And Jacob said to
Rebekah his mother, behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth
man. My father perhaps will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I
shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing”. Jacob never saw his mother
alive again, he ran to his uncle Laban and he was deceived many times (Galatians
6:7-8) “be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall
he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but
he that sows to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap live everlasting”.
The Pharisees did many things, but they didn’t get anything out of it (Matthew 6:1-
8) “take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them; otherwise
you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when you do
your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say to
you, they have their reward. But when you do alms, let not your left hand know
what your right hand does. That your alms may be in secret, and your Father
which sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly. And when you pray, you
shall not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say to
you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray enter into your closet, and
when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret, and your
Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, use not
vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their
much speaking. Be not you therefore like to them; for your Father knows what
things you have need of, before you ask Him”.
Don’t reacts to situations, but base your attitude on the Word of God. A good
example let us look at Joseph, he remained faithful to God, even after being thrown
into a pit, sold in slavery, falsely accused, put in jail, forgotten by the butler. Then
God exalted him to second in command over Egypt and his vision came to pass.
God knows the heart; (Jeremiah 17:9-10) “the human heart is most deceitful and
desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the Lord
Yahweh, search all hearts and examine secret motives, I give all people their due
rewards, according to what their actions deserve”. Hebrews 4:12 says “for the
word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edge sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is
a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”.
Jesus says in Matthew 7:21-27 “not every one that says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in
heaven. Many will say to Me in that day Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
Your name? And in Your name have cast out devils? And in Your name done
many wonderful works? And ten will I profess to them, I never knew you; depart
from Me, you that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of Mine,
and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house; and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hears
these saying of Mine, and does them not, shall be likened to a foolish an, which
built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and
the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell and great was the fall of it”.
We see, we have to have a real heart motive.
What foundation are you building on? I Corinthians 3:10-15 says, “according to
the grac of God which is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the
foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he
builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is
Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious
stones, wood, hay, stubble. Every man’s work shall be made manifest; for the day
shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’
s work of what sort it is. if any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he
shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but
he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire”. We should pray as David prayed
“judge me, O Lord Yahweh; for I have walked in my integrity; I have trusted also in
the Lord Yahweh; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O Lord Yahweh, and
prove me; try my reins and my heart. For Your loving kindness is before my eyes;
and I have walked in Your truth”.
We need to know why, we are doing things (Matthew 6:19-24) “lay not up for
yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where
thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through
nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the
body is the eye, if therefore your eye be simple, your whole body shall be full of
light. But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore
the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness. No man can serve
two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold
to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon”.
Our heart and our actions need to line up (Romans 12:9) “let love be without
dissimulation. Abhor that which s evil, cling to that which is good”. We are to do
nothing with a selfish motive (Philippians 2:2-5) “fulfill you my joy, that you be like
minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be
done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other
better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also
on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”.
Matthew 5:8 says “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”.
How to get a great attitude, think the way that God thinks (Philippians 4:8) finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Speak the
word only! Remember, Jesus said, “I only say what I heard the Father says”.
The Bible tells us “recompense to no man evil f evil, provide things honest in the
sight of all men. If it be possible; as much as lies in you, live peaceable with all
men. Dearly beloved, avenge not your selves, but rather give place to wrath; for it
is written Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore I your enemy
hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for in doing you shall heap coals of
fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans
12:17-21).
I Corinthians 13 the love chapter says “charity suffers long, and is kind; charity
envies not, charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave itself
unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, things no evil. Rejoices not
in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things” (verses 4-7).
You have the opportunity to react by faith or by fear. When you react in fear, you
become your own god and try to defend yourself; thinking that if you don’t defend
yourself, nobody else will. The devil wants you to react by your emotions. But the
Bible says “for we know Him that has said, vengeance belongs to Me, I will
recompense, says the Lord, and again the Lord shall judge His people” (Hebrews
10:30). In Hebrews 12:14-15 the Bible says “follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently less any man
fall of the grace of God, less any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and
thereby many be defiled”.
Let us put our trust in God, and stay focused on walking in love. Don’t be tricked
by the devil, remember the Bible says “finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take to you
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all to stand. Stand therefore” (Ephesians 6:10:14a).
Our motives have to be based upon the Word of God; our motives are our
decisions.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: September 15, 2009
Why you do what you do is more important than what you do. Your heart motive is
what counts. People will tell you that if you observe the commandments, you are
going back into bondage, and if you are doing it because you are trying to get
saved, that statement is absolutely true, but if you have sincerely yielded your
heart to the Lord, and are doing it because you love God and so want to do His
will, that makes the difference. Your motive is to please God and live by His
guidelines.
Examine yourself to see the reason you do what you do, what is your intent, plan or
purpose. How we react to a moral dilemma often exposes our real motives.
Frequently we are more worried about getting caught than about doing what is
right. You will see a driver driving down the highway speeding and when they see
a police car, they will slow down.
Jacob did not seem concerned about the deceitfulness of his mother’s plan,
instead he was afraid of getting in trouble while carrying it out (Genesis 27:6-12)
“and Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, behold, I heard your father speak
to Esau your brother, saying. Bring me version, and make me savory meat, that I
may eat, and bless you before the Lord Yahweh before my death. Now therefore
my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you. Go now to the
flock, and bring me from there two good kids of the goats, and I will make them
savory meat for your father, such as he loves. And you shall bring it to your father,
that he may eat, and that he may bless you before his death. And Jacob said to
Rebekah his mother, behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth
man. My father perhaps will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I
shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing”. Jacob never saw his mother
alive again, he ran to his uncle Laban and he was deceived many times (Galatians
6:7-8) “be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall
he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but
he that sows to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap live everlasting”.
The Pharisees did many things, but they didn’t get anything out of it (Matthew 6:1-
8) “take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them; otherwise
you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when you do
your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say to
you, they have their reward. But when you do alms, let not your left hand know
what your right hand does. That your alms may be in secret, and your Father
which sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly. And when you pray, you
shall not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say to
you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray enter into your closet, and
when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret, and your
Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, use not
vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their
much speaking. Be not you therefore like to them; for your Father knows what
things you have need of, before you ask Him”.
Don’t reacts to situations, but base your attitude on the Word of God. A good
example let us look at Joseph, he remained faithful to God, even after being thrown
into a pit, sold in slavery, falsely accused, put in jail, forgotten by the butler. Then
God exalted him to second in command over Egypt and his vision came to pass.
God knows the heart; (Jeremiah 17:9-10) “the human heart is most deceitful and
desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the Lord
Yahweh, search all hearts and examine secret motives, I give all people their due
rewards, according to what their actions deserve”. Hebrews 4:12 says “for the
word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edge sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is
a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”.
Jesus says in Matthew 7:21-27 “not every one that says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in
heaven. Many will say to Me in that day Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
Your name? And in Your name have cast out devils? And in Your name done
many wonderful works? And ten will I profess to them, I never knew you; depart
from Me, you that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of Mine,
and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house; and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hears
these saying of Mine, and does them not, shall be likened to a foolish an, which
built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and
the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell and great was the fall of it”.
We see, we have to have a real heart motive.
What foundation are you building on? I Corinthians 3:10-15 says, “according to
the grac of God which is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the
foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he
builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is
Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious
stones, wood, hay, stubble. Every man’s work shall be made manifest; for the day
shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’
s work of what sort it is. if any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he
shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but
he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire”. We should pray as David prayed
“judge me, O Lord Yahweh; for I have walked in my integrity; I have trusted also in
the Lord Yahweh; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O Lord Yahweh, and
prove me; try my reins and my heart. For Your loving kindness is before my eyes;
and I have walked in Your truth”.
We need to know why, we are doing things (Matthew 6:19-24) “lay not up for
yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where
thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through
nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the
body is the eye, if therefore your eye be simple, your whole body shall be full of
light. But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore
the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness. No man can serve
two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold
to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon”.
Our heart and our actions need to line up (Romans 12:9) “let love be without
dissimulation. Abhor that which s evil, cling to that which is good”. We are to do
nothing with a selfish motive (Philippians 2:2-5) “fulfill you my joy, that you be like
minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be
done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other
better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also
on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”.
Matthew 5:8 says “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”.
How to get a great attitude, think the way that God thinks (Philippians 4:8) finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Speak the
word only! Remember, Jesus said, “I only say what I heard the Father says”.
The Bible tells us “recompense to no man evil f evil, provide things honest in the
sight of all men. If it be possible; as much as lies in you, live peaceable with all
men. Dearly beloved, avenge not your selves, but rather give place to wrath; for it
is written Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore I your enemy
hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for in doing you shall heap coals of
fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans
12:17-21).
I Corinthians 13 the love chapter says “charity suffers long, and is kind; charity
envies not, charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave itself
unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, things no evil. Rejoices not
in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things” (verses 4-7).
You have the opportunity to react by faith or by fear. When you react in fear, you
become your own god and try to defend yourself; thinking that if you don’t defend
yourself, nobody else will. The devil wants you to react by your emotions. But the
Bible says “for we know Him that has said, vengeance belongs to Me, I will
recompense, says the Lord, and again the Lord shall judge His people” (Hebrews
10:30). In Hebrews 12:14-15 the Bible says “follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently less any man
fall of the grace of God, less any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and
thereby many be defiled”.
Let us put our trust in God, and stay focused on walking in love. Don’t be tricked
by the devil, remember the Bible says “finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take to you
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all to stand. Stand therefore” (Ephesians 6:10:14a).
Our motives have to be based upon the Word of God; our motives are our
decisions.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: September 15, 2009
