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âBut Balaam answered them, âEven if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything, great or small, to go beyond the command of the Lord my God.ââ âNumbers 22:18, NLT
What drives your leadership? Is it recognition? Is it personal gain? Or is it a genuine desire to serve others and fulfill Godâs calling?
These are the questions at the heart of the Heart Test. In leadership, motives matter. More than just what we do, God is deeply concerned with why we do it. The Heart Test exposes our true motivations, forcing us to confront whether we are leading for Godâs glory or our own.
Every leader must confront selfish ambition at some point. The desire for recognition, influence, or personal gain can subtly creep into our motives, often disguised as ânobleâ intentions. But leadership rooted in selfish ambition will always lead to compromise. Itâs a fragile foundation that can easily crumble under pressure.
Balaamâs story in Numbers 22 serves as a powerful example of the tension between selfish ambition and godly purpose. As a prophet, Balaam was offered great wealth by King Balak to curse the Israelites. It was a tempting offer. With wealth and favor from a king, Balaam could have gained immense influence. Yet, Balaamâs response was one of integrity: he refused to speak against the will of God, no matter the cost.
This brings us to a critical point: leadership driven by personal gain will always lead to compromise. Balaam knew that his calling was not for sale. He could not be bought. And neither can we, if we are to lead with godly purpose.
Another leader who faced the Heart Test was King Saul. In 1 Samuel 13, we read about a moment when Saulâs true motives were revealed. Facing pressure from his army and the threat of the Philistines, Saul chose to take matters into his own hands.
Instead of waiting for the prophet Samuel to offer the burnt offering, as God had commanded, Saul performed the sacrifice himself. He justified his actions by saying he didnât want to lose the support of his men, but the truth was that Saulâs actions were driven by fear of losing his influence.
Saulâs decision was a reflection of his heart. Rather than trusting Godâs timing and instruction, Saul was more concerned with maintaining control and securing his position. This compromise ultimately led to his downfall as king.
The Heart Test reveals whether our motives are truly aligned with Godâs will, or whether they are driven by our own need for validation, control, or success.
Throughout the Bible, we see that God is not just interested in what we do, but why we do it. In Proverbs 16:2, we read:
âPeople may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.â (NLT)