By Lamont H. Fuchs, Ed.D.
Scripture references: Colossians 3:2, Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Proverbs 16:2, Proverbs 8:13, Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:1, Psalms 139:23-24, Philippians 4:20
The various forms of pride in humans are Satan’s sneakiest sins. Pride creeps into our lives, minds, and hearts in many ways. The glory we seek in ourselves and others is brutal to parse between good and evil. The good ones can turn nasty and become sins. These are sins we rarely account for, and often they are sins of omission because we don’t even consider them or ask for forgiveness or repent of them. Yet, they hurt our relationship with our Lord. Consider this in your next prayer time.
From childhood, we are motivated to…whatever, you name it. Who motivates us? Motivation comes from parents, peers, teachers, pastors, enemies, coaches, drill instructors, bosses, spouses, family, children, work associates, competition, self, and God’s Word. All of these motivators can be good. Some can be bad, and some are both good at times and bad at others. Pride, pleasing man, and pleasing ourselves are motivating issues we must address according to God’s Word.
I sincerely doubt I am the only one who has trouble when I pause to consider my motivations before I embark on a project or even while I’m in the middle of one, especially ministry projects. Many people don’t even pause to consider it, but that is precisely what we need to do. We need to test ourselves on why we do what we do. Are we in God’s will? Are we humble in giving God the Glory in all we do?
What drives you to do what you do? Let’s begin with a few questions, and you will soon figure out where this lesson is headed.
- Do you volunteer to serve so you will become noticed or recognized by others for your work?
- Do you want others to congratulate you on your completed job?
- Are you looking for a promotion when you strive to outperform your competition?
- Do you enjoy being on stage for the applause and cheers of the crowd?
- Do you speak or perform so that others will praise your ability and talent?
- Do you dress for success or to attract the looks of others?
- Do you tell stories of success and boast of your experience and achievements so others will look up to you?
- Do you drop names of notoriety or of influential people you have worked with, are related to, or met, so others will consider you their peer or to become more popular?
- Do you seek recognition, congratulations, or aggrandizement after leading a successful project?
- Do you seek leadership roles because you want to be in charge?
- Do you want others to look up to or idolize you to make you feel good?
Get it? One or more of those might have hit you between the eyes. You have already begun to rationalize with, “What’s wrong with that?” The answer to that question depends on why you do it.
“Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.” Colossians 3:2
Lord, God, and Father, today I pray that You would show me where my heart is when it begins leaning toward the wrong motivations. Lord, I ask that You remind me and prick my heart when I motivate others to think wrongly about themselves or others. Guard me against these sins and lies that satan whispers in my ears or when my tongue gets out of control. I don’t want to be this kind of sinner. Thank You, Lord, to know I can ask You for anything in Your will, and You will grant it. Grant these to me today and forevermore.
“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
