Proverbs 12:2 (NLT)
“The LORD approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.”

The Motive Behind the Method

God shows favor and acceptance to those of good character. However, to those who are “deceptively shrewd” or crafty, He not only withholds favor—He condemns. That is a bitter pill to swallow. To be crafty or manipulative is to operate in a manner that is damnable because it is unrighteous and intentionally leads others away from God’s glory.
The central issue here is motives. Man looks at the outward appearance and the final result, but God alone weighs the heart. He is looking at the “script” of your life before you ever act out the “scene.” Your motives drive your methods. If your heart is polluted, even your “good” deeds are suspect in the eyes of the Father.

The Practice

Heart-Audit and Holiness

1. The “True Reason” Test
What is in your heart is far more important than what is in your wallet. Ask yourself: What reason drives my action? What is the true intent behind my conduct? God alone sees the secret layers of your mind. If you are in tune with the Holy Spirit, He will reveal your true intentions to you—even the ones you’ve been hiding from yourself.
2. Search the Pockets of Wickedness
Most of us would say, “I’m not planning wickedness!” But I urge you to search deeper. Ask God to expose any misgivings within you. Uncover the places of unforgiveness, resentment, and deep-rooted bitterness. Malicious intent stems from these tiny, hidden seeds. Any pocket of hurt that you haven’t surrendered to Yahuah Elohim’s perfect will is a potential breeding ground for unrighteousness.
3. Guard the Practice of Holiness
Operating with integrity is not natural. It is not normal to our fallen nature. Until new holy habits are formed, our natural inclinations tend toward the deceptive. This is why you must be on guard. You must choose to act and operate in holiness moment by moment, situation by situation. In Christ, you are positionally righteous, but now you must practically undertake the charge of holiness by choosing to walk, talk, and live in Godliness.

Today’s Declaration

“I invite the Holy Spirit to audit my motives today. I surrender my ‘shrewdness’ and my ‘craftiness’ for a heart of pure intent. I evict bitterness and resentment from the hidden pockets of my soul. I choose to practice holiness until it becomes my new nature.”

God isn’t just looking at what you do; He’s looking at why you do it. Today is a great day to make a Fresh Start!
God bless,
+Pastor Kris