August 15, 2025

OUR MOTIVE MATTERS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them. If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you. Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don’t know how else to help you.”

Galatians 4:17-20 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

The Apostle Paul is pouring out his heart to the believers in Galatia. His words are not cold corrections, but the emotional plea of a spiritual parent deeply concerned for his children. False teachers—known as the Judaizers—had crept in, attempting to discredit Paul and distort the message of the gospel he had preached. Their goal? To isolate the Galatians from Paul so that they would give their loyalty and attention only to these new voices.

This tactic is nothing new. It’s the pattern of every cult and false religion: “We are the only ones with the truth. Everyone else is deceiving you.” But truth doesn’t fear questions—it welcomes them. The gospel of Jesus Christ can be examined, tested, and explored. In contrast, deception often shuts down dialogue and discourages discernment.

As followers of Christ, we must stay humble and teachable. None of us has all the answers. The Holy Spirit is our ultimate Teacher, and He uses a variety of voices and perspectives to grow us in truth. Personally, I find it valuable to listen to teachers who even disagree with me. Why? Because it challenges me to examine what I believe and why. Sometimes, I realize I’ve missed something. Other times, my convictions are strengthened.

The older I get, the more I realize how much I still must learn. Some things I once held tightly, I now hold with more humility. Other truths have become more solid and life-giving, shaped by years of study, conversations, and experience.

In verse 19, Paul compares his anguish for the Galatians to the pain of childbirth—spiritual labor pains. He remembers the joy of helping them come to faith in Christ, but now he grieves because they’ve been led astray. He’s not angry—he’s heartbroken. He longs to see Christ fully formed in them again.

There are times in life when love demands that we speak hard truths. Remaining silent while those we care about drift into deception is not love—it’s fear. True love is courageous. It’s willing to have difficult conversations, not to control, but to protect and restore.

But our motive matters. We speak the truth not to be right, but to do right—for the good of those we love. When love leads, truth can be heard. When compassion guides our words, correction becomes an act of grace.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to stay humble and open to correction. Teach me to ask good questions, to listen well, and to discern truth from error. Give me the courage to love people enough to speak truth, even when it’s hard. Help me speak with grace, wisdom, and genuine care. Let Christ be fully formed in me—and in those I love.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”