Look to your motive! WHY do you do or say what you do? Is there an ulterior reason or a hidden agenda? Realized or not there is always a reason for why we do what we do when we do it… even if we don’t immediately recognize it. That was not a value judgment, nor an accusation – it’s just an ‘is’.
Motive is another one of those words that have multiple definitions and we all expect the other person to understand what we mean. Webster: “…something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act, implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act, suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.” Not particularly a positive definition of the word… ‘Something, operating on the will, a driving power’ all sound like that we are powerless to control or stop the ‘motive’. Do you believe this?
Personally, I think this definition is more excuse than explanation. It is still our decision to act on our own motives – are we so insensitive to what we are thinking and feeling that the motive takes over control causing us to do what could become self-defeating actions? Are we so spineless that we allow ourselves to be controlled? Can’t we just as purposely follow Galatians 5:23 and exercise our self-control?
For me, I try and look at my motives to judge if they are in accordance with my goals and if they infringe on the rights of others… and if they do, how to resolve the disparity. Do I always act so consciously? Sadly no. Self-desire sometimes fight with what should be. The point is not so much the ‘what’ of the motive as it is to be aware how it’s leading and that the other person may also be facing the same dilemma. Motive is neither a negative nor a positive, but it is an ‘is’. I believe it’s our responsibility to act integrous and judge our own motives.
