Post by Zac Loh on Sept 26, 2009 10:10:22 GMT -5
Motive
Acts 16:16-18
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. (Acts 16:16-18)
Was the spirit of divination factually correct? Was Paul’s team the servants of the Most High God proclaiming the way of salvation? Why would the enemy help them to preach the gospel?
The truth of the matter is …the devil will NEVER help us achieve God’s purpose on earth. Then, what was the spirit of divination up to? Obviously, the plan was to distract and disrupt Paul.
But, what is my main point here? WHAT I really want to highlight here is that the content of message spoken by the spirit of divination was factually correct.
Which brings me to one of the most shocking and amazing revelation I have ever had …that is found in this portion of scripture:
Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. (John 7:16-18)
Can you believe it? Doctrine is not gauged by content, but by MOTIVE. The spirit of divination was factually correct ...but the motive was evil.
You see, my friends, motive transfers motivation. It is more caught than taught. No matter how correct the content of our teaching is; it is our inner motivation that will move our audience. NOT saying that the accuracy of our content should be negligible. But WHAT Jesus was saying was that our motive takes HIGHER priority over our content.
A speaker will, if allowed, move the audience to the direction of his motivation …directly or indirectly …consciously or unconsciously.
If the motive is not in line with God and His word, then regardless how correct his presentation is …in God’s eyes, it is still wrong.
Why? It is, because, in the final analysis, we have to taste the fruits in people’s lives. It is not the immediate response of the audience to the message that counts, but to what end is the transformation taking place?
Is the message intended solely to garner popularity and immediate results, or is it aimed to build people’s lives in conformation to the image of Christ. What is the finished product of our motivation? Looking at the end of the horizon, what does it tell us?
In this portion of scripture (John 7:16-18), according to Jesus, the minister of the Word should:
1. be Sent by God (not merely arranged and installed by people …but called and chosen by God).
2. Seek God’s glory.
3. Seek not his own glory.
Somewhere along the journey, if our motive is corrupted, then we will corrupt our listeners EVEN THOUGH our doctrine is seemingly impeccable. It is what is transmitted beneath the presentation that concerns us.
On the other hand, if our motive is right, we will always do our best and endeavor to improve and upgrade the content of our doctrine. Our doctrine is life. Our doctrine is how we live. Our doctrine is our living.
Therefore, we adopt a lifelong learning attitude, we submit to a lifelong learning process. We put our best foot forward. We study diligently. And we leave the rest to God. I CANNOT BELIEVE that there is somebody whose doctrine is perfect.
But if our motive is right, God will teach us, and we stand corrected. It is a sad day when our doctrine is cemented in the past. IT IS A LIVING WORD.
The letter kills. Wonder how many people’s doctrines had killed people spiritually? But God’s doctrine should give spiritual life. For the Spirit gives life.
Our doctrine should feed …and not kill.
Our doctrine should set others free from sin …not cage them in an aesthetically decorated and exquisitely designed ...disguised prison.
Our doctrine should be the vehicle to take others forward, to propel them by the power of God’s love …not a mental frozen, beautifully enshrined, glorified monument.
Is our doctrine important? I put it to you: the motive of our doctrine is more important than the content of our doctrine.
Now, concerning the audience, we know that there are listeners who have itchy ears, who are not seeking to do the will of God. So, to ascertain the right doctrine, the listener must, above all, seek TO DO the will of God. Only then, will the listener know whether the speaker is promoting the right doctrine, or the wrong doctrine.
You see, it is not what is being put up. IT IS what is left unsaid. IT IS what transpired in the motivation level.
Acts 16:16-18
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. (Acts 16:16-18)
Was the spirit of divination factually correct? Was Paul’s team the servants of the Most High God proclaiming the way of salvation? Why would the enemy help them to preach the gospel?
The truth of the matter is …the devil will NEVER help us achieve God’s purpose on earth. Then, what was the spirit of divination up to? Obviously, the plan was to distract and disrupt Paul.
But, what is my main point here? WHAT I really want to highlight here is that the content of message spoken by the spirit of divination was factually correct.
Which brings me to one of the most shocking and amazing revelation I have ever had …that is found in this portion of scripture:
Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. (John 7:16-18)
Can you believe it? Doctrine is not gauged by content, but by MOTIVE. The spirit of divination was factually correct ...but the motive was evil.
You see, my friends, motive transfers motivation. It is more caught than taught. No matter how correct the content of our teaching is; it is our inner motivation that will move our audience. NOT saying that the accuracy of our content should be negligible. But WHAT Jesus was saying was that our motive takes HIGHER priority over our content.
A speaker will, if allowed, move the audience to the direction of his motivation …directly or indirectly …consciously or unconsciously.
If the motive is not in line with God and His word, then regardless how correct his presentation is …in God’s eyes, it is still wrong.
Why? It is, because, in the final analysis, we have to taste the fruits in people’s lives. It is not the immediate response of the audience to the message that counts, but to what end is the transformation taking place?
Is the message intended solely to garner popularity and immediate results, or is it aimed to build people’s lives in conformation to the image of Christ. What is the finished product of our motivation? Looking at the end of the horizon, what does it tell us?
In this portion of scripture (John 7:16-18), according to Jesus, the minister of the Word should:
1. be Sent by God (not merely arranged and installed by people …but called and chosen by God).
2. Seek God’s glory.
3. Seek not his own glory.
Somewhere along the journey, if our motive is corrupted, then we will corrupt our listeners EVEN THOUGH our doctrine is seemingly impeccable. It is what is transmitted beneath the presentation that concerns us.
On the other hand, if our motive is right, we will always do our best and endeavor to improve and upgrade the content of our doctrine. Our doctrine is life. Our doctrine is how we live. Our doctrine is our living.
Therefore, we adopt a lifelong learning attitude, we submit to a lifelong learning process. We put our best foot forward. We study diligently. And we leave the rest to God. I CANNOT BELIEVE that there is somebody whose doctrine is perfect.
But if our motive is right, God will teach us, and we stand corrected. It is a sad day when our doctrine is cemented in the past. IT IS A LIVING WORD.
The letter kills. Wonder how many people’s doctrines had killed people spiritually? But God’s doctrine should give spiritual life. For the Spirit gives life.
Our doctrine should feed …and not kill.
Our doctrine should set others free from sin …not cage them in an aesthetically decorated and exquisitely designed ...disguised prison.
Our doctrine should be the vehicle to take others forward, to propel them by the power of God’s love …not a mental frozen, beautifully enshrined, glorified monument.
Is our doctrine important? I put it to you: the motive of our doctrine is more important than the content of our doctrine.
Now, concerning the audience, we know that there are listeners who have itchy ears, who are not seeking to do the will of God. So, to ascertain the right doctrine, the listener must, above all, seek TO DO the will of God. Only then, will the listener know whether the speaker is promoting the right doctrine, or the wrong doctrine.
You see, it is not what is being put up. IT IS what is left unsaid. IT IS what transpired in the motivation level.