The Heart Check: Motives in the Work of the Spirit

Brothers and sisters, have you ever done something genuinely good—maybe helping a struggling neighbor, or dedicating extra time to study a difficult passage—and then, deep down, you felt that little whisper of wanting recognition? That little flutter of, “Wow, I really helped them today”?

It’s a struggle we all face, isn't it? We are called to be disciples in every corner of the earth, whether we are in the MTC, serving in a stake center, or even just having a quiet moment studying scripture at home. We want to do the work, we love the feeling of making a difference, and sometimes, the applause of men feels… warm.

Recently, I was pondering the Sermon on the Mount, specifically Matthew 6:1-4. It’s a passage that feels incredibly direct, almost like a spiritual gut-punch. Jesus is addressing the danger of practicing righteousness for an audience. He warns us to beware of showing off our good deeds so that we might be praised by others.

What struck me most was the discussion around the Pharisees. Their outward actions—giving, praying, tithing—were visible, and perhaps even commendable to the casual observer. But Jesus peeled back the curtain and showed the motive: it wasn't for the Father who is in heaven, but for the applause of men. They were using piety as currency for social status.

The Core Question: What is Our Motive?

This is where the Spirit really gets to work in our hearts, isn't it? The core of discipleship, I’ve learned, isn't about the *action*; it’s about the *source* of the action. The scriptures teach us that if the motive is self-glorification, the reward comes only from men. But if the motive is pure devotion to our Heavenly Father, the reward comes from Him.

Now, this is where the discussion gets tricky, and I want to bring in our friend Davee for a moment. We all remember the tension point raised in the video: how do we reconcile Matthew 6:1-4 (don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing) with Matthew 5:16 (let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father)?

It’s a classic point of doctrinal wrestling, and it shows how deep the Spirit can take us! After watching that breakdown, the answer crystallized for me: It’s not about *hiding* everything. It’s about ensuring that when our actions *are* seen, the *reason* they are seen is purely to bring glory to the Father, and never to build up our own pedestal.

From the Public Square to the Private Heart

Think of it like this: We are not called to live the Christian life in the closet, but we are also not called to perform for the gallery. Some of our most sacred acts of discipleship—the moments of deep scripture study, the quiet covenant keeping, the personal repentance—those must remain in the private sphere, known only to the Spirit and our Heavenly Father.

But when we *do* share our light—when we teach someone, or when we serve in a way that others see—the filter must be motive. Are we doing it because we genuinely love the Savior and want to help build Zion, or are we doing it because we want to be seen as the most spiritual person in the room?

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them; for they will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

This passage is a constant reminder for all of us—the returned missionaries, the lifelong disciples, the ones preparing for the field. It’s a daily heart check. It’s a chance to ask: *Why* am I doing this? Am I doing this because I want to feel good, or because I want to honor the covenants I’ve made?

If you're feeling the pull of the Spirit to deepen your understanding of this, I highly recommend diving into the Book Club structure within LivingBook. We can tackle passages like this together, letting the social scripture study layer help us see different angles. Or, if you're ready to dig into the hard questions about motive, I encourage you to bring your toughest questions to Davee in the AI Investigator role. He’s ready to walk you through those challenging investigator discussions!

Remember, the goal isn't perfection; the goal is constant, humble refinement. Let’s keep our focus fixed on the Father, and let Him be the only reason for the good works we do. He sees in secret, and His reward is eternal.