AUGUST 27 “AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN THE CHURCH – MOTIVE”

Motive can be positive, pure and with good intentions. This comes out of goodwill, while its other side can be negative, selfish and hurtful. Jealousy and rivalry give birth to it. Paul was a victim of motive, and he experienced this spiritual warfare. Our memory verse says that some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. God alone is the only one who determines whether man’s motive is positive or negative. For Paul, his joy was that whether the motive is positive or negative Christ was preached. When Christians’ motives are negative, they cause spiritual warfare in the church.

In Genesis 4:8, “Cain said to Abel his brother, ‘Let us go out to the field’ And when they were in the Field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him”. Any sin caused by impure motive can be devastating. Some Christians have subtle ways of blackmailing other fellow believers for their own personal advantage. Men may not know the genuineness of our motives but God knows; we should not be envious of others. Let us be content with whatever God places in our hands or the position he gives us in which to serve him. “There is great gain in godliness with contentment” – 1Timothy 6:6.

Some do high service to impress the leadership of the church in order to attract some benefits. God is the rewarder of all things; He will reward an individual according to his/her service in His vineyard. Are you serving God out of pure motive? This should be a question ringing in our soul as we offer our services unto God. King David said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalms 139:23-24.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, let the search light of your Holy Spirit beam into my Soul to reveal any impure motives in me. Grant me the grace to remove them so that I can be at peace with you in Jesus’ name, Amen.