Your Motive for Preaching

Every minister of the Gospel should take time to reflect on their motivation for ministry. Why do you do what you do and preach what you preach? There can be both negative and positive motivations for ministry. Paul addressed both in Philippians 1:15-16, where he wrote Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds.

Motivated by Envy

Have you ever preached out of envy? Envy is a feeling of ill will toward someone else because of their blessings. It’s a form of jealousy, but it’s worse because it desires to punish the person for their favor, increase, or happiness. Envious preachers refuse to celebrate others’ success and secretly rejoice when the media exposes a large ministry’s sin or legal troubles. Sadly, the Internet has made it easy for many to preach online about various ministries’ issues, but what does that accomplish? Besides, is that why God calls anyone into the ministry—to rebuke other ministers or highlight their failings publicly? 

Galatians 5:19-21 lists envy along with fornication, murder, and drunkenness. It states: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

I don’t know any minister who would commit murder or engage in drunkenness, but I wonder how many are envious of others. That’s a question each person must answer for themselves. No one can truly know another’s heart, and we are wrong to assume others’ motives. We can only judge the results of what they do, not their hearts. So, check your heart and let God handle everyone else.

Motivated by Strife

Just as faith leaders are not called to demean others’ ministries publicly, they also should avoid debating one another. Anyone who does so is motivated by strife, which is listed in Galatians 5 (quoted above) as one of the works of the flesh. Paul warned that those who engage in such behavior will not inherit the kingdom of God. To prevent strife, stay away from arguments over God’s Word.

I refuse to debate the Bible with others. People often come to me after a service to ask questions, only to tell me that I’m wrong based on their interpretation of God’s Word. I will not get involved. I won’t argue with church members, nor will I fight with other preachers over doctrinal disagreements or church traditions.

Have you noticed that not every apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher sees everything the same way? Recognizing this is essential when ministering from another person’s pulpit or engaging with them through media. Our role is not to correct other preachers or churches. If you're invited to preach at a church, even if everything they teach is wrong, you are not there to correct them. That’s the Holy Ghost’s job, not yours. Instead of openly criticizing what they’ve been taught, you should find something you agree on and build from there. Never challenge another pastor, especially from their pulpit!

Be a Respectful Guest and a Victorious Minister

Faith leaders should always act as respectful guests. When you're invited to minister somewhere, learn about the teachings of that pastor. If you have a message that could bring new revelation to the congregation, talk to the pastor beforehand. For example, my perspective on grace differs from most, so I inform the host pastor and ask for permission to share it. If I sense any discomfort with the topic, I choose another subject I know will be in line with that pastor’s revelation. You never want to be the source of confusion. You are there to bless and encourage, not to cause division or raise questions.

Faith Leaders should be the kind of preachers Paul described in Philippians 1:17: "But the other [preach Christ] of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel." We should preach from a motive of love, which is not proud or puffed up. Paul explained how a ministry rooted in love should behave. He wrote, It doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (1 Corinthians 13:5-7)

When you preach with the right motive, you can confidently live and minister in the victory that overcomes the world, which comes from faith (1 John 5:4), because faith is efficient and effective through love. (Galatians 5:6)