From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus

14. Check Your Motives 

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.  But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.  Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”  

Matthew 6:16-18

Some things are meant to be kept between you and your God. In section 8, we looked at letting your light shine; here, we are looking at not making a spectacle of yourself so that others will admire you. It’s all about the motives of your heart.

Can you tell others that you are fasting? Why are you telling them? Is it to get some kind of recognition from them about how holy you are? If so, that’s not good. Is it to encourage them to do the same, or not tempt you with food, or to pray for you? That’s probably fine. Jesus always cares about the condition of the heart. 

When our motive is to encourage and lift up others in love, that’s a good motive. You could probably do just about anything with that kind of motive behind it. 

When our motive is to puff up the ego of self or others, that’s never a good motive. We should never go about acting in that manner. 

This commandment of Jesus is again to get us to think about why we’re doing what we’re doing. It’s to get us to act like He acted. 

Is fasting a good thing? Is giving to the poor a good thing? What about praying, is that good? Of course, all of these things are good. But they can all be corrupted and become useless if they are done in the wrong manner, with the wrong motives behind them. 

We could use a bit more modern vernacular and say that being a “poser” is what Jesus is referring to here. If we pretend to be righteous, we will make sure that other people observe our acts of “righteousness”. But if we are being genuine, we don’t care what anyone else thinks about our devotion to God—only what God thinks about it. And clearly, He cares about the motive in our heart. 

So the commandment here is to check your motives, so that your acts of service, praise, or worship don’t get burned up in the furnace of God’s motive checker. 

On the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.  If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.  But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

1 Corinthians 3:13-15

Store up treasures in heaven, with a pure heart, and check your motives.

Previous – Love Your Enemies | Next – Pray Simply

Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments