The motives of the heart reveal our true character and intentions. God, who knows the depths of our hearts, calls us to purity and sincerity in all that we do. Through His Word, He guides us to examine our inner motives and align them with His will. Below are key areas where the Bible speaks about the motives of the heart, along with selected verses to inspire and challenge us.
Also Read: Bible Verses About the Heart of Man
The Heart Examined by God
God knows every thought, intention, and desire of our hearts. While we may try to justify our actions, God’s examination of our motives is always pure and just. His Word reminds us that nothing is hidden from Him and that He values integrity over outward appearances.
Jeremiah 17:10
“But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
Proverbs 21:2
“People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.”
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
Pure Motives in Worship
True worship flows from a heart devoted to God. He desires sincerity, not rituals or outward displays. Worship that honors Him comes from motives that seek to glorify His name rather than gain recognition or approval from others.
John 4:24
“For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Isaiah 29:13
“And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.””
Matthew 6:1
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”
Micah 6:8
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Motives in Service
God calls us to serve others with a heart of love and humility. Serving with pure motives ensures that our efforts are pleasing to Him and reflect His character. It is not about personal gain but about honoring God and blessing others.
Galatians 5:13
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
Colossians 3:23
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
1 Peter 4:10
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Romans 12:11
“Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”
Love as the Driving Motive
Love is the foundation of all godly motives. Whether we are worshipping, serving, or living out our faith, love for God and others should be at the heart of everything we do. Without love, even the most impressive actions lose their value.
1 Corinthians 16:14
“And do everything with love.”
1 John 4:7
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”
1 Corinthians 13:3
“If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”
John 13:34
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
Romans 13:10
“Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Heart of a Woman
Motives in Giving
God loves a cheerful giver, and He desires that our giving comes from a heart of gratitude and generosity rather than obligation or desire for recognition. True giving reflects our trust in God’s provision and our love for others.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.””
Proverbs 3:9
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.”
Matthew 6:3-4
“But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Acts 20:35
“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.””
Luke 6:38
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Guarding Against Wrong Motives
The Bible warns us about the dangers of selfish motives and urges us to avoid actions driven by pride, greed, or envy. By examining our hearts and submitting our desires to God, we can guard against impure intentions and walk in righteousness.
James 4:3
“And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”
Proverbs 16:2
“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.”
Philippians 2:3
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Matthew 23:5
“Everything they do is for show. On their arms, they wear extra-wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra-long tassels.”
1 Timothy 6:9-10
“But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
Living with Godly Motives
God calls us to live with motives that reflect His love and righteousness. By focusing on pleasing Him and seeking His kingdom, our actions and intentions will align with His perfect will. Living with godly motives brings peace, purpose, and eternal rewards.
Matthew 6:33
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4
“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”
Psalm 19:14
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
2 Corinthians 5:9
“So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.”