Something most people don’t often pause to consider is the intentions of their heart. I know I often skim over them or don’t see them at all. But then sometimes something stirs in me to remind me that the motive behind what I’m doing is just as important as the actual thing I’m doing. In those moments I’m usually doing something that appears good outwardly, but, inwardly, I have some strategy to gain advantage or admiration to myself. 

I blush inwardly when this happens and wonder what others would think if my complete heart was laid bare before them. But I already know that it is laid bare before God. And furthermore, it will someday also, be laid bare before my fellow men. 

Intentions Exposed

Luke 12:1-3 …“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.² Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ³ Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. – ESV 

Very sobering words. Everything we cover up or hide will be revealed. I assume this means actions as well as thoughts and intentions. All we’ve spoken in secret will be shouted from the housetops. God is light and everything we shroud in darkness will be exposed at His appearing. 

With this in mind, what should our response be? It should be deep humility and repentance if our motives and intentions are anything we are afraid to have proclaimed to everyone around us on the day of judgement. And if we have trouble catching the subtle offenders in our hearts and minds, the Word of God will do it for us, if we remain immersed in it. 

The Life-Giving Word

Hebrews 4:12 says:  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – ESV 

God’s word is a mirror and the Spirit of God will quicken our spirit as we read His Word as it applies to our lives or ministries. But this only works if we do so, once more, with an honest heart and pure intentions. 

2 Corinthians 4:2  But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. – ESV 

Cunning is another way to describe something done with ulterior motives. This only reinforces the fact that we are not to practice it. And of course we should never tamper with God’s Word to deceive our conscience. Let’s let it wash over us and let the chips fall where they may as we present our hearts honestly before God. 

Free Of Hypocrisy

Another word that describes dishonest intentions of the heart is simply hypocrisy. We see it in Luke where Jesus warns of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy. 

In Romans 12:9 we’re told: Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. – NASB

If we practice this, it will probably remedy all our evil intentions of the heart. For if we love without hypocrisy, we are doing things purely for the good of the ones we are commanded to love, whether God or man. 

We can only do this through the power of Christ in our lives. Something I’ve begun to do, is to present my motives, agendas and intentions of my heart before God in my times of prayer, asking Him to take them and in exchange give me His. He is gracious and gives us all we need for life and godliness.