How Important Are Motives

How Important Are Motives?Philippians 1:15-18

Philippians 1:15-18It’s true that some are preaching out

of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure

motives.16They preach because they love me, for they know I have been

appointed to defend the Good News.

17Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition,

not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.

18But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. NLT

I have been appointed

to defend the Good News.

17Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about

Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely,

intending to make my chains more painful to me.

EnvyA feeling of discontented

or resentful longing aroused by someone else's

possessions or qualities. New Oxford American Dictionary

Jealousy vs. EnvyDr. Gary Collins in Homemade, July, 1985

Jealousy is the fear that something which we possess will be taken

away by another person.

Envy is to want something which belongs to another person.

Matthew 27:17-18As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you

want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18He knew very

well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy. NLT

Rivalry

Competition for the same objective or for superiority in

the same field. New Oxford American Dictionary

2 Corinthians 5:17This means that anyone who

belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone;

a new life has begun! NLT

1 Peter 2:1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy

and all slander. ESV

It’s rather easy to get caught up with our correct doctrine or

what is right and have impure motives towards another

brother or sister.

Which Honors God?

To be wrong and godly?

To be right an ungodly?

Competition can be deadly in the

Family of God.

Security in Christ is insulationagainst competition.

Resulting in an authenticappreciation and praise of

others as they excel in life and ministry.

1 Timothy 6:6

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great

wealth. NLT

2 Corinthians 12:20

For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am

afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness,

slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. NLT

No matter what knowledge you have

No matter what gifts you possess

If your knowledge or gifts are expressed without love

it all means nothing.

Love is a Fruit of the Spirit and no one can manifest any

Spiritual Fruit without abiding in Christ.

Acts 9:15-16

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my

message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16And I will show him how

much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” NLT

Are you clear about

why God placed you on earth?

What specifically does God have for you?

Christians are to be always about their Father’s Business

Are You?

When you are focusing on this world

you will be unfaithful to God.

It wasn’t the returnbut the choice to investthat pleased the Master.

Are you faithful in doing what God has given you to do without

being envious, jealous or competing?

There will be no need for jealously, rivalry or envy, when you are focused on God’s glory

and not your own.

You will beFaithful to God

and an Encouragement to Others.

Meditation & Application

Envy is to want something, which belongs to another person.

Jealousy is the fear that something, which we possess, will be taken

away by another person.


Rivalry is competition for the same objective or for superiority in the

same field.


Are you envious or jealous of someone?

Do you have a rivalrywith someone?


Experience freedom by confessing your sin.


Ask the LORD to clearly reveal to you what He uniquely has for you

and thenbe faithful

to carry out that assignment.


You are the most gifted, talented and qualified person to do what

God has called you to do. mfs

Be faithful to Him and enjoy His blessings.