38 Bible Verses about motives

All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord weighs the motives.

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts.

Let all that you do be done in love.

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

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

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

Examine me, O Lord, and try me;
Test my mind and my heart.

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 as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;

each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.

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, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.

For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

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

the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You.

“Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.

For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the innermost parts of his being.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

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

They speak falsehood to one another;
With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.

If you say, “See, we did not know this,”
Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts?
And does He not know it who keeps your soul?
And will He not render to man according to his work?

They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.

For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

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

O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous;
For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds.