Others cannot always see the motives of our heart, but God can see and knows what they are.

In 1 Samuel 16:7 we are reminded of this truth where it says, “...for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

We as humanity have to be careful in judging others knowing that we can’t see the heart but only that which is on the outside.

Also, as we are in the new year, we ought to ask the Lord to help us keep our motives pure. We might need to ask him to help us change some of our motives.

We find an example in scripture of two of Jesus’s disciples who encouraged their mother to ask Jesus for the privilege of them sitting on either side of him in heaven. Jesus rebuked them by teaching that the motive of the heart should rather be that of a desire to be a servant to others.

One of our motives should be that of being a better giver to others. Another motive should be that of having a deeper devotion to our heavenly Father.

If we choose to humble ourselves before God and our neighbors, then Jesus instructs us that it is then we will be exalted.