Hidden Motivations

STUDY: #950-CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: AUGUST 8 @ 14, 2017

TOPIC: “Hidden Motivations” 2 Corinthians 1:12 Motivation is what encourages a person to act or do something. According to psychology and philosophy, a motivation is based on what drives an individual to carry out certain actions, and maintain his behavior, until achieving all the planned objectives. Motivation is associated to will and interest. In other words, motivation can be defined as the will that stimulates an effort to achieve certain goals. 2 Corinthians 1:12 "For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you." Here Paul lets us see his motivation as a man of God. He makes it clear that he has the good testimony of his CONSCIENCE. He has behaved in the world, and treated the brothers with the SIMPLICITY and SINCERITY of God. If Paul seems to presume and be supported by anything, it is from his life of total sincerity. The apostle enjoyed the sanctity and transparency of God! Paul did not fulfill his ministry among the Corinthians, and the world around him with human wisdom, nor dominated by human motives. It is a shame that today almost everything is done according to hidden motivations. Paul makes it very clear that could never exist in him. He did not need anything from anyone. He was a very important and wellto-do person during his times. But those Corinthians were accusing Paul, and slandered him to discredit him (1 Corinthians 4:10-21, 1 Corinthians 9:1-3, 2 Corinthians 10:10,11; 2 Corinthians 13:1-3). They made it seem that there were things that Paul attributed to himself that they believed were not true. His defense was that he lived in holiness and was transparent. He had nothing to show off. Among so much work and persecution, there was nothing hidden. Transparency is in something that can withstand the test of being exposed to sunlight, and through which you can see the sun. A transparent person is reliable, trustworthy; someone who does not have an ulterior motive. Some women are known to be sweet as honey, with enchanting words. These women will go to your home, and even help you. But what they’re really looking for is to have your things, and destroy you. Their hidden motivations are behind their actions. They will destroy you to reach their goals. It is that simple! In life, when you can guarantee that you have no ulterior motives, then you will be a person who can see the grace of God in you! A believer must never be motivated by calculating or cunning behavior. Analyze yourself when you are around a person. What are you looking for? Something for yourself? In Paul's life, there could be no hidden motivations. The grace of God was within him. God was his everything. Examine your life. Look at yourself. Is God in you? Is He in your whole life? Or do you always go around looking for something for yourself? Like showing off, offending others, have people helping you, or some other benefit? What are you really looking for? Where the grace of God cannot be found, there is nothing good in what is being sought. If we were honest, we would admit that we seldom do anything without a mixture of motives. Look at how much you work for yourself; how you become annoyed when people don’t respond as you would like! How do you live? Always complaining? When will we do something right, and not be entangled in motives of prestige, exhibitionism, fear or calculation? What do you really want? If the grace of God is not within a person, it is because God is not in that person. This is why you have people griping, murmuring, complaining, and finally leaving the church. God has never been with someone who has lived like this. Watch out for this, beloved! Many times, people do not see these hidden motives in others because humans only see action, but GOD SEES INTENTION. Let us imitate Paul, who lived in purity (Galatians 2:20 "... It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me ..."). Paul never had a double intention with what he said. Words are said to be strange creatures, for they can be used to reveal or conceal thoughts. There are few who can honestly say that they mean exactly what they say. People speak to fulfill something, to look good among others, to get out of trouble. Let us seek to be perfect, without any error in what we speak (James 3:2 "For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.") Cruelty should not come out of your mouth.

Paul had nothing to hide; he was an open book. Let us be like Paul: sincere, honest, transparent, loving with a pure heart and without any deceit. With a single just and true motivation, the only one that God should see and know in our lives. This way we will live with the grace of God in us all the time. Amen.