Self-Justifying

Proverbs 16:2 "All a man's ways seem right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the motives."

A recent Time Magazine article showed that science has learned that our brains are the most self-justifying entities we know. It's how people can do crazy things and not go insane. Our brains basically tell us that what we want to do is "right" as this proverb says.

But notice the second part of verse 2. Though our brains will automatically tell us what we want to do is okay, there needs to be an objective outside judgment on whether our motives are actually good or not. That outside judgment can only come from someone who is not infected by sin, as all of humanity is. Sin clouds our judgment and "sears" our consciences.

How do we get that judgment - from God's Word, the Bible.

Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account."


The Bible gives us a character sketch of what a good God is like, and thus a comparison to our own character which reveals our deficits.

So what's the answer? I like what Proverbs 16:3 has to say: "Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved."


No matter whether we really know if we are doing something out of pure motivation or just snowing ourselves, if we are sure to commit it to the Lord and be ready and waiting for His opinion, then our plans will be achieved according to God's good character!

Pastor Tom