38 Bible Verses about motives

All the ways of a man are pure (clean) in his own eyes. But Jehovah weighs the motives.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah measures the hearts.

Do everything with love.

Do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make apparent the counsels of the hearts. Then each man's praise will come from God.

What then? That in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed! For that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice!

You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly (with bad motives) that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Examine me, O Jehovah, and test me. Look closely (deeply) into my heart and mind.

Preparations of the heart and the answer of the tongue, is from Jehovah.

We always speak, as God wants us to. He has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please people, but to please God, who tests our motives (examines our hearts).

For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God; but sincere and from God. We speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Some preach Christ from envy and strife and some from good will.

every man's work will be made known, for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will prove what sort every man's work is.

I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.

I, Jehovah, search the heart and examine the mind (inner man). I give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.

For our presentation (exhortation) is not based on error, or of uncleanness, or in deceit.

You have probed my heart. You have confronted me at night. You have tested me like silver, but you found nothing wrong. I have decided that my mouth will not sin.

But the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition without pure motives, thinking to cause me great suffering and distress in my imprisonment.

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

We know what it means to respect the Lord so we persuade others. God knows us and I hope that you know us in your hearts (consciences).

Do not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts.

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination! How much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind?

For what man knows the things of a man, except the mental disposition that is in man? Even so no one knows the things of God, but the Spirit of God.

I well know, O my God, that you test everyone's heart and are pleased with people of integrity. In honesty and sincerity I have willingly given all this to you. I have seen how your people who are gathered here have been happy to bring offerings to you.

Boast no more so proudly. Remove arrogance from your mouth. Jehovah is a God of knowledge, and he measures his actions (deeds).

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

The breath of man is the candle of Jehovah, searching all the inward parts of him.

But Jehovah said to Samuel: Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature. I have rejected him. God does not see as man sees. Man looks at the outward appearance. Jehovah looks at the heart (inner man).

Who can notice (discern) (understand) every mistake? Forgive my hidden faults.

God is my shield who saves the upright in heart.

People speak lies to one another. They speak with flattering lips and with double-heart. (Double Heart: They say one thing but mean another.)

You may say: We did not know this, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you and knows. He will reward each man according to his deeds.

They zealously (eagerly) seek you in no good way. They desire to shut you out, that you may seek them.

You know very well that we did not come to you with flattering talk (praise for selfish gain). We did not use words to cover up greed (insatiable desire for wealth). God is our witness!

You my son Solomon, learn to know your father's God. Serve Jehovah wholeheartedly and willingly because he searches every heart and understands every thought we have. If you dedicate your life to serving him, he will accept you. On the other hand if you abandon him, he will reject you from then on.

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

Let the evil of the wicked come to an end. Establish the righteous, you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God.