What Does the Bible Say About Wrong Motive?

James 4:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Revelation 19:20 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

Galatians 5:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Revelation 19:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV / 6 helpful votes

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Romans 13:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Revelation 22:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Ephesians 2:13-15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

Romans 14:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.

Romans 10:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Matthew 22:39 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Ezekiel 28:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

Leviticus 19:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

Romans 8:37-39 ESV / 4 helpful votes

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 16:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

1 Peter 1:1-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ...

James 1:22-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

John 15:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Isaiah 49:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Proverbs 30:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

1 Samuel 15:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

Revelation 22:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

Revelation 20:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 14:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,

Revelation 14:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

Revelation 9:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

James 4:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Corinthians 1:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,

Acts 17:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Acts 9:1-43 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ...

Luke 12:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

Mark 7:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

Matthew 15:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?

Ezekiel 28:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you.

Ezekiel 28:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.

Ezekiel 28:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared.

Ezekiel 18:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

Jeremiah 48:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore my heart moans for Moab like a flute, and my heart moans like a flute for the men of Kir-hareseth. Therefore the riches they gained have perished.

Jeremiah 41:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

On the day after the murder of Gedaliah, before anyone knew of it,

Jeremiah 16:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Both great and small shall die in this land. They shall not be buried, and no one shall lament for them or cut himself or make himself bald for them.

Isaiah 44:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

This one will say, ‘I am the Lord's,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord's,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.”

Isaiah 14:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

1 Kings 18:26-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them.

53 Bible Verses about Wrong Motive

James 4:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 19:20 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 19:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 22:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:13-15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 14:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 22:39 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 28:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:37-39 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 16:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:1-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:22-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 49:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 30:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 15:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 22:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 20:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 14:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 14:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 9:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 1:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 17:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 9:1-43 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 12:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 7:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 28:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 28:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 28:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 18:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 48:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 41:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 16:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 44:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 14:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Kings 18:26-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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