38 Bible Verses about motives

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

Every way of a man is upright in his [own] eyes, but Yahweh weighs hearts.

All your [actions] must be done in love.

Therefore do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord should come, who will both enlighten the hidden things of darkness and will reveal the counsels of hearts, and then praise will come to each one from God.

{What is the result?} Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. But also I will rejoice,

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, in order that you may spend [it] on your pleasures.

Prove me, O Yahweh, and test me. Try my {innermost being} and my {mind}.

To mortals [belong] the plans of the heart, but from Yahweh [comes] the answer of the tongue.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts.

For we are not like the majority who peddle the word of God, but as from pure motives--but as from God--we speak before God in Christ.

Some even because of envy and strife preach Christ, but some also because of good will.

the work of each one will become evident. For the day will reveal [it], because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the work of each one, of what sort it is.

now I ask [when I] am present [that I will] not [need] to be bold with the confidence [with] which I propose to show boldness toward some who consider us as behaving according to the flesh.

I, Yahweh, examine [the] {mind}, test [the] {heart}, and give to each one according to his way, according to the fruit of his deeds.

For our exhortation [is] not from error or from impurity or with deceit,

You have tried my heart; you have examined [me] by night; you have tested me; you found nothing. I have decided [that] my mouth will not transgress.

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction in my imprisonment.

Deep waters [are like] purpose in the heart of a man, and a man of understanding will draw it out.

Therefore, [because we] know the fear of the Lord, we are attempting to persuade people, but we are revealed to God, and I hope to be revealed in your consciences.

have you not 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 in divisiveness!

For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man that [is] in him? Thus also no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

And I know, my God, that you yourself test the heart and are pleased with uprightness. I, in the uprightness of my heart, have willingly offered all these [things], and now I have seen your people who are found here willingly offer to you.

Do not increase speaking {very proud} words! Let no arrogance go forth from your mouth, for Yahweh is a God of knowledge [whose] deeds are not weighed.

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

The lamp of Yahweh [is] the spirit of humankind, he who searches every {innermost part}.

But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For [God does] not [see] what man sees, for a man {looks on the outward appearance}, but Yahweh {looks on the heart}."

Who can perceive [his] errors? Acquit me from hidden [faults].

My shield [is] with God who saves the upright of heart.

They speak falseness {to each other}. [With] flattering lips, [with] {a double heart} they speak.

if you say, "Look, we do not know this," does not he who weighs hearts perceive [it]? And he who keeps your soul, he knows and will repay humankind according to his deeds.

They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they want to exclude you, in order that you may seek them [zealously].

{For never} did we come with a word of flattery, just as you know, nor with a pretext of greediness (God [is] witness),

"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for Yahweh searches all hearts and understands every plan and [all] thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.

For [although we] are living in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh,

Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish [the] righteous, and test the hearts and innermost being, O righteous God.