38 Bible Verses about motives

A man thinketh all his ways to be clean; but it is the LORD that fashioneth the minds.

Every man thinketh his own way to be right; but the LORD judgeth the hearts.

Let all your business be done in love.

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, which will lighten things that are hid in darkness: and open the counsels of the hearts. And then shall every man have praise of God.

What then? So that Christ be preached all manner ways, whether it be by occasion, or of true meaning, I therein joy: Yea and will joy.

Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, even to consume it upon your voluptuousness.

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

A man may well purpose a thing in his heart; but the answer of the tongue cometh of the LORD.

but as we were allowed of God, that the gospel should be committed unto us: even so we speak, not as though we intended to please men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For we are not as many are, which chop and change with the word of God: but even out of pureness, and by the power of God and in the sight of God, so speak we in Christ.

Some there are which preach Christ of envy and strife, and some of goodwill.

every man's work shall appear. For the day shall declare it, and it shall be showed in fire, and the fire shall try every man's work what it is.

I beseech you that I need not to be bold when I am present - with that same confidence, wherewith I am supposed to be bold - against some which repute us as though we walked carnally.

"Even I the LORD search out the ground of the heart, and try the reins, and reward every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his counsels."

Our exhortation was not to bring you to error, nor yet to uncleanness, neither was it with guile:

Thou hast proved and visited mine heart in the night season; thou hast tried me, and shalt find no wickedness in me, for I am utterly purposed that my mouth shall not offend.

The other part of love, because they see that I am set to defend the gospel.

Wise counsel in the heart of man is like a water in the deep of the earth; but he that hath understanding bringeth it forth.

Seeing, then, that we know how the Lord is to be feared, we fare fair with men. For we are known well enough unto God. I trust also that we are known in your consciences.

are ye not even partial in your selves, and have judged after evil thoughts?

The sacrifice of the ungodly is abomination, for they offer the thing that is gotten with wickedness.

For what man knoweth the things of a man: save the spirit of a man which is within him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the spirit of God.

I know my God, that thou provest the heart and hast pleasure in plainness. And in plainness of mine heart I have willingly given all this. And now I see thy people, which are here in gladness to offer willingly to thee.

Let go your great boasting of high things, let go out of your mouth that old byword: for the LORD is a God that knoweth all things, and judgeth the thoughts.

For God shall judge all works and secret things, whether they be good or evil.

The lantern of the LORD is the breath of man; and goeth through all the inward parts of the body.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, "Look not on his fashion nor on the height of his stature, for I have refused him. Because it is not as man seeth. For man looketh on the outward appearance: but the LORD beholdeth the heart."

Who can tell how oft he offendeth? O cleanse thou me from my secret faults.

My help cometh of God, who preserveth them that are true of heart.

They talk of vanity every one with his neighbour; they do but flatter with their lips, and dissemble in their double heart.

If thou wilt say, "I knew not of it"; Thinkest thou that he which made the hearts, doth not consider it? And that he which regardeth thy soul, seeth it not? Shall not he recompense every man according to his works?

They are jealous over you amiss. Yea they intend to exclude you, that ye should be fervent to them ward.

Neither was our conversation at any time with flattering words - as ye well know - neither in cloaked covetousness, God is record:

And thou, Solomon my son: know God thy father and serve him with a pure heart and lust of soul. For the LORD searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of thoughts. If thou shalt seek him, he will be found of thee: But and if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.

Nevertheless, though we walk compassed with the flesh, yet we war not fleshly.

O let the wickedness of the ungodly come to an end; but guide thou the just. For the righteous God trieth the very hearts and reins.