Deep waters

Motives. We all have them but they are very hard to really uncover and even harder sometimes to understand. Since we can’t read the hearts of others, it is very difficult especially at first glance to correctly identify some one’s motives for what they do (or don’t do) and say (and don’t say). It is even difficult for us to correctly identify and understand our own motives at times because we lie to ourselves or have subconscious reasons that we don’t and can’t really want to acknowledge or identify.

But regardless of the extreme difficulty we all know we face sussing out motives, we all like to act like we are experts in determining the motives of others (interestingly enough – we think we are experts of others’ motives while we often don’t even really face or understand our own.) We make snap judgments about someone and boom motive determined.

But if we acknowledge that we cannot read the hearts of others and we know it is even difficult to sometimes understand our own motives, then why do we all feel that our snap judgments or quick conclusions are right about others’ motives?

Solomon teaches us that the purpose or motives of a man are like deep water. In the Scriptures, deep water is often how we use to word “deep” today. Complicated. Hard to understand. Dangerous. A man’s motives are hard for even him to understand sometimes. So, trying to really understand someone else’s deep water is incredibly challenging and can be risky. But it is not impossible. Solomon tells us a wise man or a man of understanding is able to draw out the purposes of the heart.

How? Well – through Proverbs Solomon details the qualities of the man of understanding. He is honest, hard working, patience, slow to speak, eager to listen, careful, and the list goes on. But the most important quality is the man of understanding fears God and turns to Him for help and counsel.

So, is it possible to draw out and determine the motives of others and ourselves? Yes but it takes honesty, patience, repeated observations, and evidence collection. It requires one ask God for help at sorting through everything you’ve observed and heard. It requires you listen to God’s counsel when He gives it. It demands that we understand God is the ultimate judge – not us.

Now, while it is possible to draw out the purposes of others, a man of understanding also knows that they might be wrong – that even with the best intentions and efforts we make mistakes. This difficulty is why it is incredibly important to go to God and ask for help. It is also why we should not rush to judgments. We should not be quick in pronouncing our conclusions. We must exhibit the traits of a man of understanding.

So, be slow and merciful. Listen and gather information. Be honest if your evaluations. Be honest with yourself about your OWN purpose. Be patient with those you are trying to understand. Think the best of the motives of others. Ask God to help you come to the right conclusions. Remember, you aren’t the final judge.

When you try to determine a person’s motives. Ask yourself:

Am I a man or woman of understanding and wisdom? Or, am I acting like a fool?

And, if you don’t know (I’d suggest you always know but then again it is hard to understand our motives at times), then go read Proverbs. Solomon will help you find out what kind of person you truly are.