--- Are you a person (imagining you are) blessed to read motives in others? ---
June 1, 2022
When I was very young, I was convinced I was somehow able to read the motives of other people. Not long after I learned to speak and communicate, I was amazed to discover I could tell that everything everyone around me said, seemed for the purpose of manipulating other people. And, their manipulation was often sort of hidden within words about something else. My imagined ability to read why other people did what they did stuck with me most of my life. Truth is, I still struggle...
Did you know, how you feel about your ability to read the motives of other people is a sort of window into your Christianity; or maybe, onto your lack of any? Whether you believe you can discern motives can help you realize whether you are a Christian (one who listens to Christ and follows him) or just a Religionist (one who listens to what other men tell you Christ said, and follow that sectarian doctrine). (Mat 5:17; Mat 17:5)
Please consider an example from the world news most everyone is familiar with. In recent weeks, a beautiful Russian prima ballerina spoke openly to say she was for the first time in her life made ashamed to be Russian. She said Putin's unprovoked invasion into Ukraine humiliated and sickened her. Her statement, of course, put her life in great danger. She fled Russia to another country but remains in peril of life. I personally believe her motives are exactly what they appear on the surface; that her motives are pure! Others, however, primarily those who remain friends of Putin, say she is just a disgruntled and disloyal Russian seeking greener pastures on the other side of the fence; that her real motive was to escape Russia. What do you think? Well, the point I want to make is this: Only she and God know her true motive. And, even she might be deceived (as to her own motives). In truth, her motives might be divided: She might be appalled at what Putin has done, and at the same time long for freedoms more likely available elsewhere. That would not necessarily be a bad thing, but it might be better for her relationship with our Creator if she really knew her own motives. These scriptures are selected so she can know that, if she wants to. But more importantly for each of us, they are chosen so we can all know about our own motives!
That's One thing God sent Christ Jesus to teach us: How to better understand what our real motives are; and, if they are pure! (Heb 4:12‑13) Be careful, though, we can't ever understand the motives of others. And even our own, only "if," we make a real effort to first understand the teachings of Jesus Christ.
You should realize, trying to read the motives of others is really judging their heart. If the Russian ballerina told lies about Putin, only so she could escape Russia, she is a bad person. (Rev 21:8) If, however, she was sincere and spoke truth, even at risk to her live, she is righteous. Don't you see, reading her motive is really an attempt to judge whether she is a good person; or wicked. In view of her popularity and notoriety throughout the earth, if you judge and speak abusively about what her motives are, aren't you accountable to God for judging her? (Mat 12:36‑37) Even if you could accurately read motives 99% of the time, you would still misjudge some people as to their righteousness. Only God can judge who is righteous. Please be warned, that is exactly what He is doing in the earth today: God has told each one of us to listen to his son. (Mat 17:5) Then, how we respond to the teachings of Jesus is the basis of our judgment. (John 12:48; John 3:19) Being able to discern your own motives, however, is both possible and important for life: Jesus did warn us many people would fool themselves to believe they were his friends, when their own motives had actually deceived them. (Mat 7:21‑23; Luke 13:25‑27) How could they fool themselves about something so important? Jesus answered that question in the way he addressed some people who sought him out feigning concern, but were really only seeking more of the food he miraculously provided them. (John 6:25‑27) GNB When the people found Jesus on the other side of the lake, they said to him, "Teacher, when did you get here?"
(26) Jesus answered, "I am telling you the truth: you are looking for me because you ate the bread and had all you wanted, not because you understood my miracles.
(27) Do not work for food that spoils; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life. This is the food which the Son of Man will give you, because God, the Father, has put his mark of approval on him."
Jesus went on in the next two verses to explain exactly what they needed to do. (John 6:28‑29) GNB So they asked him, "What can we do in order to do what God wants us to do?" (29) Jesus answered, "What God wants you to do is to believe in the one he sent."
Can you understand, then, if those selfish people had the good sense and humility to continue to listen and take to heart what Jesus was saying to them, they could learn what they really were in their own heart, as their basis for changing? If they refuse to listen to the son of God, well, that is just them rendering their own judgment. (John 3:19) Listen to Jesus! But also realize and understand, you can only safely know you are listening to Jesus (Mat 7:15) by reading the four Gospels recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; over and over to the point of familiarity (friendship) with Christ. (John 15:11‑16)
Motives of your heart are complicated and discerning them is difficult. (Jer 17:9) Let me please make clear, the only hope you have of understanding your true heart's desires that drive you, and then using that knowledge to become a better person, is by becoming familiar with the teachings of Christ. (Heb 4:11‑13) You just need to obey God's only latter day command to listen to his son! (Mat 17:5) Don't make the mistake, though, of imagining you can judge other people! (Mat 7:1‑5; 1 Cor 4:5) Don't join or associate with individuals (or with sects of them) who do still imagine they are judges of others. All religious sects, you see, are first united by an expression of faith in their doctrine, which is really just their way of judging who is not an approved member; and so, of judging who is not approved by God. (Christians realize what Religionists judge, and the bad things they say about those persons disapproved by their group, only has any power or value in the judgmental minds of those ignorant or stupid enough to believe in them! - 1 Cor 4:1‑5) Set yourself free of all such foolishness, by simply following God's command (Mat 17:5) to listen to and follow Jesus Christ. (John 8:31‑32)
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