Why Am I Doing This?

Matthew 5:8, NIV

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. "

Pure in heart... The word translated as "heart" designates the intellect, the conscience, and the inner man. Those with pure hearts have forsaken sin as a ruling principle in life, and their lives are without reserve consecrated to God. 

In the Scripture, the Pharisees went to the temple all the time and did the right religious things outwardly, but they had wrong motives. They went to be seen and to impress people. They prayed long prayers out loud, but only because they wanted everybody to hear them. They gave their money so they would look good. And in the process, they failed to see God right in front of them in Jesus. 

Today's Scripture tells us that our inner life is more important than our outer life. On a regular basis, we should ask ourselves, "Why am I doing this? Is it to help someone out of love or to impress them and get something? Am I seeking the promotion to be my best or to prove my importance? Am I volunteering as a service to God or to get other people's applause?" Don't go year after year as the Pharisees did, giving, serving, doing the right thing but not reaping any reward, because you're doing it for the wrong reason.

Father, thank You for calling me to have a pure heart and deal openly and honestly with the hidden issues that hold me back. Search my heart and show me where my motives are wrong and where I'm pretending. I want to be real so You can use me for Your highest purposes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.