38 Bible Verses about motives

All a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates the motives.

All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates the motives.

Everything you do should be done in love.

So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God.

What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.

Examine me, O Lord, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives!

The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

For we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for profit, but we are speaking in Christ before God as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God.

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill.

each builder's work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done.

now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving according to human standards.

I, the Lord, probe into people's minds. I examine people's hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.

For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,

You have scrutinized my inner motives; you have examined me during the night. You have carefully evaluated me, but you find no sin. I am determined I will say nothing sinful.

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.

Counsel in a person's heart is like deep water, but an understanding person draws it out.

Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people, but we are well known to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too.

If so, have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives?

The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent!

For who among men knows the things of a man except the man's spirit within him? So too, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.

Don't keep speaking so arrogantly, letting proud talk come out of your mouth! For the Lord is a God who knows; he evaluates what people do.

For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

The human spirit is like the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Who can know all his errors? Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of.

The Exalted God is my shield, the one who delivers the morally upright.

People lie to one another; they flatter and deceive.

If you say, "But we did not know about this," does not the one who evaluates hearts consider? Does not the one who guards your life know? Will he not repay each person according to his deeds?

They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly.

For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed -- God is our witness --

"And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one's thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently.

For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards,

May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end! But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives!