38 Bible Verses about motives

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORDweighs the heart.

Let all that you do be done in love.

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.

each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.

"I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."

For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.

For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.

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

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

The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.

For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness.

"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

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

Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous-- you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!