38 Bible Verses about motives

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the spirits.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weighs the hearts.

Let all your things be done with love.

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

What then? only that, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it upon your lusts.

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my heart and my mind.

The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.

For we are not as many, who corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall test every man's work of what sort it is.

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, though I think to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

I the LORD search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

You have proved my heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tested me, and shall find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Are you not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind?

For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.

I know also, my God, that you test the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy your people, who are present here, to offer willingly unto you.

Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inner depths of the heart.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse me from secret faults.

My defense is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

If you say, Behold, we knew it not; does not he that weighs the heart consider it? and he that keeps your soul, does not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

They are zealous of you, but not for good; yea, they would exclude you, that you might be zealous of them.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:

And you, Solomon my son, know you the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh:

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God tests the minds and hearts.