'Motives' in the Bible

then listen from your heavenly dwelling place, forgive their sin, and act favorably toward each one based on your evaluation of his motives. (Indeed you are the only one who can correctly evaluate the motives of all people.)

I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.

O Lord God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, maintain the motives of your people and keep them devoted to you.

then listen from your heavenly dwelling place, forgive their sin, and act favorably toward each one based on your evaluation of their motives. (Indeed you are the only one who can correctly evaluate the motives of all people.)

He commanded them: "Carry out your duties with respect for the Lord, with honesty, and with pure motives.

So when the envoys arrived from the Babylonian officials to visit him and inquire about the sign that occurred in the land, God left him alone to test him, in order to know his true motives.

May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end! But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives!

Everyone speaks lies to his neighbor; they speak with flattering lips and hidden motives.

You have scrutinized my inner motives; you have examined me during the night. You have carefully evaluated me, but you find no sin. I am determined I will say nothing sinful.

The one whose deeds are blameless and whose motives are pure, who does not lie, or make promises with no intention of keeping them.

Examine me, O Lord, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives!

Love the LORD, all his godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful and repays those who act with proud motives.

A psalm by Asaph. Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure!

I concluded, "Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle.

David cared for them with pure motives; he led them with skill.

You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives.

who speak against you with evil motives, your enemies who are acting in vain.

All a man’s ways seem right to him,but the Lord evaluates the motives.

All a man’s ways seem right to him,but the Lord evaluates the motives.

The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable—how much more sowhen he brings it with ulterior motives!

Do not desire his delicacies,For it is deceptive food [offered to you with questionable motives].

If you say, "Look here, we didn't know about this," doesn't God, who examines motives, discern it? Doesn't the one who guards your soul know about it? Won't he repay each person according to what he has done?

Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions.

LORD of the Heavenly Armies, who tests the righteous, who sees the inner motives and the heart, let me see you take vengeance on them, for I've committed my case to you.