Motive

 

• Proverbs 16:2 - "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD pondereth the hearts." (This verse highlights the difference between our perception of our motives and God's all-knowing view of our true intentions.)

• Matthew 6:1 - "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven." (This verse warns against doing good deeds for the wrong motive, like seeking praise, which diminishes their value.)

• Deuteronomy 8:2 - "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God hath led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no." (This passage describes God's testing as a way to reveal the true motives within a person's heart.)

• 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." (Paul emphasizes that his true motive is to serve God, not win people's approval.)

• 1 Thessalonians 2:4 - "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." (Similar to Paul's statement, this verse emphasizes speaking God's truth with pure motives, not seeking human approval.)

• Proverbs 21:2 - "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts." (This verse reiterates the concept that our self-perception of motives can be misleading, and God sees the truth within.)

• James 4:3 - "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." (This verse highlights how impure motives, like greed, can hinder the effectiveness of our prayers.)

• Romans 8:8 - "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (This verse connects fleshly desires and motives, like pride or anger, with our inability to please God.)

Define "motive" from a biblical perspective

From a biblical perspective, a motive is the underlying reason behind our actions, the thing that truly drives us. The Bible emphasizes that God cares more about our motives than just the outward actions themselves  (https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-motivation.html).

Here are some key points about motives in the Bible:

    God sees the heart: The Bible tells us that human hearts can be deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), and we can easily fool ourselves about our own motives. But God sees through our facade and examines our true intentions ([Proverbs 16:2]).
    Pure motives vs. impure motives: The Bible warns against motives like pride, anger, revenge, or a desire for approval, which stem from our sinful nature and aren't pleasing to God (Romans 8:8).
    Serving God: Ideally, our actions should be driven by a desire to please God and live according to his will (1 Thessalonians 2:4).

So, the Bible encourages us to constantly examine our motives and strive for genuine sincerity in our actions and hearts.
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Here's some more on motives from a biblical perspective:

    The weight of motives: The Bible suggests God weighs our motives (Proverbs 16:2). Even good deeds done for the wrong reasons, like showing off our piety, lose their value ([Matthew 6:1]).
    Motives and intent: Jesus himself talked about judging actions by motives. He equated harboring anger with murder and lust with adultery, highlighting the importance of inner intent behind outward actions (Matthew 5:21-22).
    Motives beyond actions: The Bible acknowledges the importance of motives even when they don't lead to actions. Coveting something, even if we never steal it, is considered a sin because the desire itself is wrong (Exodus 20:17). Similarly, neglecting to do good when we know we should is also a sin (James 4:17).
    The struggle with motives: The Bible acknowledges the difficulty in maintaining pure motives. Passages like Proverbs 4:23 remind us to guard our hearts because even good intentions can be corrupted by selfishness.

Overall, the Bible emphasizes that true righteousness comes from a heart with pure motives, one that seeks to please God and follow his teachings.
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Digging deeper into motives in the Bible:

    Discerning motives: The Bible acknowledges the challenge of knowing someone's true motives, as people can be good at masking them (Proverbs 26:26). However, the Bible offers wisdom in discerning motives through observing actions and their consistency over time (1 John 4:20).
    Motives and sacrifice: The Bible highlights that even seemingly good deeds can be tainted by impure motives. Sacrifices offered to God with a prideful or self-serving heart are not pleasing to him (Isaiah 1:11-17).
    Motives and prayer: Our motives can even affect the effectiveness of our prayers. When we pray with selfish desires or unforgiveness in our hearts, it hinders our communication with God (James 4:3).
    Transformation of motives: The Bible offers hope for those struggling with impure motives. Through faith in God and seeking his guidance, our hearts can be transformed and our motives can become more aligned with God's will (Romans 12:2).

These are just some additional aspects of motives explored in the Bible. There are many passages that touch on this theme,  and depending on your specific interest, you could delve deeper into areas like the role of motives in leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-7) or judging others (Matthew 7:1-5).
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explain the word "motive" from a psychological perspective
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In psychology, "motive" refers to the internal force that drives us to take action. It's the "why" behind our behavior, the underlying reason that pushes us towards a goal or compels us to avoid something. Motives can be conscious or unconscious:

    Conscious motives: We are aware of why we're doing something, like studying for an exam because we want a good grade.
    Unconscious motives: The reasons for our actions might not be readily apparent. For example, someone volunteering at a soup kitchen might be driven by a desire to help others, but also unconsciously fulfilling a need for belonging or social connection.

Here's a breakdown of some key aspects of motives in psychology:

    Needs and desires: Motives often stem from our basic needs (hunger, thirst, safety) or our desires (achievement, recognition, love). These needs and desires create a state of arousal that pushes us to act in a way that will satisfy them.
    Types of motivation: Psychologists categorize motives in different ways. A common distinction is between intrinsic motivation (driven by internal satisfaction) and extrinsic motivation (driven by external rewards or punishments).
    Motivation theories: Several theories attempt to explain motivation. Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs proposes that we move through a hierarchy of needs, from basic survival needs to self-actualization. Self-determination theory focuses on the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness for intrinsic motivation.

Understanding motives is crucial in psychology because it helps explain  human behavior. By analyzing someone's motives, psychologists can gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and potential actions.