Very Wrong Motive

Hello everyone,

How are you doing today? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“In their greed they will make clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.” 2 Peter 2v3 (NLT)

“Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling you lies. Their judgment spoken against them long ago is still coming, and their ruin is certain.” 2 Peter 2v3 (MSG)

One might ask, why do false teachers arise? Why would a person speak that God said, when he or she is not moved by the Holy Spirit? The Bible here is telling us that it is because of their greed, their lust, their want for money. And so these false teachers intentionally tell a lie. What is your motivation for being in ministry? Is it for the gain you can get, your own glory or for the name of the Lord to be glorified, and for His will to be done? 2 Corinthians 2v17 (AMP) says “For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God’s Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight and presence of God.” The Bible does tells us though that for these false teachers, God has condemned them long ago and their destruction will not be delayed.

Supplementary Text

“For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed – God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.” 1 Thessalonians 2v3-6 (NIV)

Prayer

Father we thank You for Your Word this day. We pray Father for ourselves, that You will search our hearts, and see if there is any wrong motive in us for why we do the things we do, and pray You will purge us of this. Father, remove pride, lust, greed, the fear of man, and wanting for their approval, and fill us with Your heart, and the desire to please You and see Your name glorified. Purify our motives Lord and help us to be sincere. We pray for ministers of the Word, that You will remove greed and lust far from them, and give them hearts that fear You, love You and care for the sheep in their care. We pray all this, in Jesus name, amen.