Step 2: Motivation

Proverbs 16:2 “ All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.”

This verse has to do with your motive – Why do you do what you do? The will of God is deeper than what it is that you do. He wants to know why you do it! It is easy to come up with excuses and cute phrases to justify your actions, plans, and desires. But God is delving deeper. The purpose of your life is not just being here. God didn’t put you here just to have fun. In fact, you will find out very quickly that even though something might be fun and enjoyable, it is only temporary. Fun is only fun while it is going on. When the fun stops it is no longer fun. The Bible lists something greater than fun. It is joy. Joy is everlasting. When the fun stops, joy will continue. Joy satisfies you even when you are in pain, or are confused, or sick. Joy is the deep feeling of satisfaction knowing that God is pleased with your effort! When the purpose of your life is to bring God glory, it is not just doing things. It is doing things that make God smile!

Something may look and sound good to you, but run it by the Lord and His word to find out if it is the right thing, and if it is the right time to do it.

God has a set of scales that He uses to weigh your heart motive. Here the word “spirits” brings out the importance of your personality. Your personality is what makes you unique. We sometimes look at an action that is done and how it is done. We use this expression to illustrate this idea: “He did it, but his heart was not in it.” Jonah went and preached to the city of Nineveh and had a great revival, but he did it with the wrong spirit and wasn’t happy about God moving and the people getting right!

When seeking the Will of God, it is important first to prepare your heart and mouth and then put your heart into it. God knows what will make you happy and satisfied. When you find the will of God put your best effort into fulfilling it. Don’t do it half-heartedly.

At the Judgement Seat of Christ, where the saints are judged for their service, notice carefully the way a life is “weighed”:

I Corinthians 3:13 “ 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.”

Notice the fire tries every man’s work “of what sort it is.” The judgement is not based on how big or important. It is based upon “why”. What kind of work was it? Did it bring God glory or something else?

This is further illustrated by the questions asked in Job 26:2-4. These, or something like them will probably be asked at the Judgment seat:

Job 26:2-4 “ How hast thou helped him that is without power?how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?

How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?

To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?”

Your motives will be judged. So as you look for the will of God for your life, let God prepare your heart and start asking yourself, “Why do I want to do this?” and “What is the best way to please Him?” Here it might be beneficial to review the section on Romans 12 and the idea of submitting and presenting.

The next section is on committing. At some point you must take the plunge. Preparation and Motivation will continue as you serve Him. The big step is the Commitment. It is the correct response to God preparing you. Once you realize what it is that God wants you to do, do it!