38 Bible Verses about motives

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

Let all your things be done with charity.

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord shall come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise from God.

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, are from the LORD.

But as we were allowed by God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.

For we are not as many, who corrupt the word of God: but as from sincerity, but as from God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife; and some also from good will.

Every man's work will be made manifest: for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will try every man's work, of what sort it is.

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, with which I think to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

For our exhortation was not from deceit, nor from impurity, nor in guile;

Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

But the other from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, who are present here, to offer willingly to thee.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the hight of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

My defense is from God, who saveth the upright in heart.

They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and will not he render to every man according to his works?

They zealously affect you, but not well; for, they would exclude you, that ye may affect them.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou shalt seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou shalt forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh:

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.