Biblical Word Study — “Motives”
I have discerned some very serious issues that need to be corrected in The Body.
The LORD led me to reveal some various ways that these issues surface in The Body of Christ.
Motives : The Bible has a lot to say about our motives. We can have good motives, or bad motives.
A motive is an underlying reason for any action. These motives are given place in our thoughts and are communicated then once communicated, activated.
This can happen physically, spiritually, and emotionally, as these can be written or spoken words; however, they reside and all begin in the battlefield of our mind.
Since motives can be good or bad, we must realize that we must discern properly there origin before we speak them, once they are out there, they are really out there!
“All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions], but The LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth).” Proverbs 16:2 AMP.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 AMP.
“Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but The LORD weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].” Proverbs 21:2 AMP
“Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us]” 1 Corinthians 16:14 AMP.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 AMP.
God wants to Admonish YOU!
Admonish : To teach, warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness (According to KJV Dictionary)
Compete : Contend, contest, to strive, to outdo, or excel. Compete implies having a sense of rivalry and of striving to do one’s best as well as to outdo another to compete for a prize . To Contend suggests opposition or disputing, as well as rivalry. (Dictionary.com)
The Curtain Unveiled
Competition is a vice. It’s something that the cares of this life embrace; It’s selfish and degenerating.
It’s like a dog eat dog world, or I must top him before he tops me. Or it’s stepping and stomping over people in grinding their mark in dung heaps to attain a lofty place, by trampling their goals, dreams, and visions to death; and treating them like they are worthless trash, having no regard or care for what it does to them.
Or the granddaddy of them all, the ultimate! …I’m In Charge! I am selfish and self-absorbed and full of Pride and I get there by any means necessary!
Even witchery and manipulative silence, degrading the undercurrents of the soul! It doesn’t matter what cost are involved — because, I’m in control! I will allow nothing to top me, for I control the throne of my life!
Boastfully then, how do you expect to conquer me when I am already there! (Church?)
You can’t play King of the Mountain when I own the mountain!
Pride, stubbornness and idolatry are the foundations of my throne! And Self can conquer with no humility or care; for Self, rejected them, before they rejected me! Don’t you see? it’s all about ME!
Competition has no place in the life of a blood bought child of the living God.
A person who seeks to ‘compete’ against a man or woman in The Kingdom of God has not learned humility, brokenness, or servanthood.
All these are lessons we must learn first before we ever lead or do anything in ministry. We must conquer Self!
I remember a very vivid event that happened to me in 1984 after I was baptized in The Holy Ghost by Fire!
The Spirit of God consumed me and I was like a Fire storm spewing all over. After I moved to San Antonio, Texas, I had this Fire and sought God for where He wanted me to plant myself in a Church.
After fasting and praying for three days, I suddenly heard a phone call. To my amazement, it came from a woman who introduced herself letting me know she lived close by and wanted to invite us to Church.
When she said the name of the Church I marveled as it was the one I thought we were to attend.
She further spoke letting me know when the Services were and women’s Meetings and such. She was one of the pastors’ wives a the Church.
Well after that, I was beside myself and just knew I had so much to share and say about my conversion and Baptism of Fire!
So, I planned to attend a fairly large Wednesday women’s group. I packed up my briefcase with Bibles and my Concordance and I just knew I had to help these poor people know what happened to me and get them straight!
Here I came into a meeting with all my materials and I moved around towards the middle of the meeting. As I was about to say something, The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Sit down and learn! You don’t know as much as you think you do!”
After that rebuke from The Holy Spirit it took me three days to get over that rebuke!
But guess what? I got over the rebuke and repented and began to learn the lessons that I thank God for to this day! I learned by experience, what humility and brokenness were.
And to this day I continue learning over and over, and I learn with eagerness. In secret, The LORD Jesus and I developed a very deep, deep, personal, intimate relationship with The LORD.
I served in Women’s Ministry and was groomed by the Founding Pastor’s wife whom I love dearly. I was called on to teach a lot.
Also, it was there that a vision given to me a few years back, began to unfold. I touched the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.
And what God told me years back in private began to surface. I still struggled with God’s choosing, because I am a woman, and it took years for me to fully accept His choosing and office.
When the Gift of Prophecy began to manifest in Services (1 Corinthians12:10) she recognized it and helped and encouraged me to yield to the Anointing.
Then not long after that, The LORD moved on me extremely strong to prophesy to the congregation! I was scared, but I feared God more than man, but it was so strong but intimidating with over 3,000 members!
But I yielded to The Holy Spirit as it rose up from my belly into my throat and mouth and I quaked and shake like I was holding a live electrical wire! (I still feel HOT fire and like electricity today often).
To my amazement it was received and confirmed as I shook when I fell back!
All I could say was, “WOW God! This *OJT is something else!”
This was a ministry of over 3,000 members and I learned to serve in many ways, especially in conjunction with menial tasks. Like cleaning toilets, kitchen *KP duty and other needs that were met. I was learning humility in menial tasks.
I learned to submit to authority as unto The LORD. I did each task equally as important; from the toilet to the pulpit! In all that I did, I did it all as unto The LORD as service to Him.
Coming under Authority was truly a blessing of servanthood and a true blessing to have that coverage. I learned and I followed the lead as I was led.
I learned that God is a God of order in every capacity. As I served, the desire to learn more increased along with deeper prayer and fasting, and greater humility and submission. I learned how God promoted people into greater service of authority and divine order.
I was groomed in teaching ministry to women, home ministry, led prayer teams, citywide street evangelism outreach ministry, prayer rallies, conferences, and then I served the eight sets of pastors as the liaison by keeping up with all new converts and new members that were assigned to their various zip codes. I learned so much and was planted there for three years.
I was so grateful and humbled that God taught me so much, but little did I know at that time how that foundation of service, humility, and brokenness would carry me through every part and pain of my life, 37 years later today.
“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, are comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV.
Competition biblically, isn’t good behavior, as it pertains to gifts, talents, ability, and or position.
When we have one heart, one mind, and one accord makes for a powerful weapon against division and disunity.
Another aspect of competition is to see ourselves as independent one from another and independent from the will and mind of God. (Study 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (below))
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable crown.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 AMP.
Division and competition in The Body of believers are a stench in God’s nostrils. He sees competition as motivated by self and pride blinding his body.
When there is unity there will be power. Jesus prayed that all might be one, as the Father and He are one.
“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:21 KJV.
When Christ’s love is in action, we have a common mission. The independent competitive spirit is broken. Satan’s accusations are silenced.
Our love for each other is manifest, and the lost will see our love in action and it will be overwhelming! For with HIS lovingkindness HE leads us to repentance!
How can they not fall head over heels in love with Jesus when HE is unveiled and made manifest in us! It is Christ in us the hope of glory! HIS Kingdom come, HIS will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
When you focus on serving others, your need will often be met through God’s Law of Serving, Sowing and Reaping. (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)
When God calls me to give and serve with my time, finances, and other resources, God always measures resources back from all different sources.
We don’t serve others to get, we serve in obedience to give unto The LORD. However, when you do serve others, there is a Kingdom Principle that works on your behalf as fruit of your service.
Like a real old song,
“You cant beat Gods giving, no matter how you try.
And just as sure as you are living
and the Lord is in heaven on high.
The more you give, the more He give to you,
but keep on giving because its really true
that you cant beat Gods giving, no matter how you try.”
(Written by Doris Akers)
Have you given heed to being an independent spirit within The Body of Christ?
God is calling us to a higher Kingdom Purpose that has no competition. He instructs us to serve others. When He leads us to serve we must realize, we are literally serving Him!
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility]. ” Philippians 2:3-5 AMP.
Are you seeking to help break down walls of competition among other Christians? Do you want to break the competitive spirit in you and your ministry? Begin to do something for others which you get no benefit.
Do ALL things as unto The LORD! That means no matter what you do, do it as if Jesus Christ Himself is standing in front of you in the flesh! That will help to break down a competitive independent spirit.
God will test you. He will ask you to do something, it may provide provision, benefit, or not. You may think you received less than you deserve, but whatever He asked of you, should always be done in obedience to The LORD.
What Are Your Motives?
If you start measuring yourself against others in The Body, you will try to form control and manipulate that measurement, thus falling into sin.
When we fail to trust God for the outcome of our destiny, it is pride. Satan’s mission is to destroy your effectiveness by creating disunity and competition among His body. ( 2 Corinthians 10:12 )
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133:1 KJV.
We must let God make room for our Gifts instead of us pushing, driving, or plowing ourselves in.
“A man’s gift (given in love or courtesy) makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16 AMP.
It is the Gift within you that God himself keeps the key to bring your success!
Learn to serve, learn to be content in the back, and learn to be quiet and work with your own hands, learn to bow out of flattery quickly.
Learn to be patient allowing God to reveal you in His time. We can’t make anything happen so give room for God to make your place sure.
When God promotes everyone will know it! God has the only handbook that comes with your gift! Let God reveal your gift in His season and timing.
“But when you are invited, go and sit down [to eat] at the last place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; and then you will be honored in the presence of all who are at the table with you.” Luke 14:10 AMP.
If you are frustrated and discouraged feeling like a fish floundering in shallow water gasping for air, being almost beached, there’s an answer.
Repent and swim, swim and swim back into the deeper places with God! Stay true to The LORD for the rest of your life and find a fellowship and gain strength from one another.
If you are trying to climb a religious tower to fit in, there’s an answer. You will never fit in. Religion is a return to bondage, return to the lover of your soul and don’t settle for religious spirits lists of do and don’ts.
They have a form of Church but have not the power. From such turn away. Make the Word of God your only standard to live by and reject all others.
The Holy Bible is our map, our guide, it is our handbook for life and knowing it will keep you safe. Make the Word of God your standard, may the Word become flesh in you!
You were made to house the presence of God in your inner man, and nothing else will satisfy your needs. But you must ask him to rule and reign in you as you obey and as he sits on the throne of your heart
If you are climbing a so-called latter of success and trying very hard to please the elite ministries or ministers, there’s a answer.
Flee the hirelings, they come with a false anointing. To know God’s Anointing is to know His Word and know Him intimately in Prayer.
Let no man deceive you, if it doesn’t line up with God’s Word, run, run, run and don’t look back!
If you are trying to be around and rub shoulders with supposed anointed ones, in hopes it will rub off on you, there is an answer.
There are NO short cuts to God ordained Ministry. There are no short cuts to maturity, and especially no short cuts to Ministry.
There is a danger in these type of Ministries and there is a lot of hype. Instant this, and instant that! That isn’t God’s way!
I will tell you what will accommodate you though: Demon’s may rub off on you, and get over you and get in you!
Moses was a meek, gentle, loving, lowly of heart, man of God. It took God 40 years to prepare Moses in the wilderness before He sent him to his destiny.
Before The LORD sends us, He will season us well. The LORD will make 100% sure we are ready, due to the hefty price tag attached to our lives for the souls of men.
Leaders must give a hefty account of everyone whom Christ puts into our care and we are accountable for their souls, and every word we speak.
Study to show yourselves approved unto God — a workman who needs not to be ashamed rightly divides the word of truth, (2 Timothy 2:15 * Study the whole chapter).
*Spiritual Strategy for Growth: Biblical Word Study “Motives”
*OJT = On Job Training
*KP Duty = KP duty means “kitchen police” or “kitchen patrol” work under the kitchen staff .
“10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” 1 Corinthians 1:10-17.
In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey
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