The Intention

There is always a motive behind every deed done...

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away...

The modern church teaches us to do good - that we are blessed to be a blessing; however, God instructs us that our  good deeds are not of our own doing - Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
When we do good and get some enjoyment from it, we need to understand that God may not necessarily be in it. According to Philippians 2:13, we are reminded that the good we do is for God's pleasure, not our own. There is a difference between us doing our own thing, and obedience to the LORD. 
More than not, I believe we serve a God who asks us to that which we do not want to do - we can see this from Jesus' example (Matthew 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.). 

 
Consider this: imagine a Christian showing cruelty towards one person, and showing kindness to another to 'make up' for their shortcoming? 

We see in 1 John 4 that when it comes to showing love toward others, we prove prove that we are in fact Children of God.

People who are cruel carry specific traits, which are;

  • they focus on what pleases them most and are completely out of touch with the needs of others;
  • their good deeds are to showcase their money/power/possessions ;
  • they buy your loyalty though their gift-giving;
  • they 'break' easily over the smallest thing/pretending to be weak and broken to harness your attention;
  • they compliment only those who do not over-shadow them; 
  • they need to have their own way - and will never go out of their way for others unless there is something in it for them;
  • they look through you, not at you - believing they are more important than you. 

These are all manipulative tactics to get what they want from you - even if it is just to exercise dominance over you. When you see these traits in them, you can bet their kindness towards you is a mask for the cruel things they think about you and possible cruelty they have shown someone else. 

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

When it comes to genuine kindness, there is no motive in that person's heart whatsoever; Their kindness is done from the Heart of God - and is designed to bring God Glory - not them! (Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.) 


In The Skinny




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