It is difficult to argue against preaching the gospel. It is difficult to argue against helping the poor, teaching children, planting churches, or supporting missionary work. These are all biblical activities. Jesus commanded His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20), and throughout the New Testament we see believers taking the gospel beyond their own communities.
Yet Scripture consistently teaches that God is not only interested in what we do but why we do it.
That is where discernment becomes essential.
A Good Work Can Still Be Driven by the Wrong Heart
Look at these pictures. The first picture shows a pastor appealing to the congregation for thousands of pounds to go out on mission to Japan.
Next that same pastor gets the funding and he is off to Japan.
Next the pastor is on his way 50,000ft in the air.
Here he is in Japan.
One of the most uncomfortable truths in Scripture is that someone can perform genuine ministry while having impure motives.
Paul writes in Philippians 1:15-18 that some preached Christ out of envy and selfish ambition. Remarkably, they were preaching the correct message, yet their hearts were wrong.
That should stop every Christian in their tracks.
The activity was right.
The gospel was right.
But the motive was wrong.
This tells us something profound: ministry itself is not proof that someone’s heart is healthy. What could of this Pastors ministry have looked like. Take a look.
God Looks Beyond the Mission
When Samuel was sent to anoint Israel’s next king, God reminded him:
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
People naturally evaluate visible ministry.
We see conferences.
Mission trips.
Church plants.
Social media updates.
Photographs with children.
Sermons.
Large offerings.
Growing influence.
God sees something completely different.
He sees ambition.
Fear.
Love.
Pride.
Compassion.
Escape.
Faithfulness.
Only He can fully judge the heart.
When Ministry Becomes an Escape
There is a danger that ministry can slowly become something other than service.
Sometimes it becomes identity.
Sometimes status.
Sometimes adventure.
Sometimes a way to avoid difficult realities at home.
Imagine a leader who genuinely teaches the Bible overseas, genuinely encourages believers, and genuinely serves people. Those activities may all be real and beneficial.
But what if, beneath the surface, another motive also exists?
What if international ministry provides relief from unresolved conflict at home?
What if travelling feels easier than shepherding difficult people or managing the church he has been called to lead?
What if constant movement means never having to face criticism, broken relationships, or painful responsibilities?
Scripture teaches that the human heart is capable of extraordinary self-deception.
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
That warning applies to every believer, especially those in leadership.
The Pharisees Were Experts at Looking Holy
Jesus reserved His strongest rebukes not for obvious sinners but for religious leaders.
Again and again He exposed the gap between appearance and reality.
“They do all their deeds to be seen by others.” (Matthew 23:5)
They prayed.
Fasted.
Gave money.
Studied Scripture.
Led worship.
Yet Jesus described them as whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but spiritually unhealthy within (Matthew 23:27-28).
The issue was never simply what they did.
The issue was why they did it.
The Danger of Moral Justification
One subtle temptation is to use a noble cause to justify personal desires.
Helping children.
Teaching pastors.
Supporting churches.
Disaster relief.
Mission conferences.
These are all worthwhile ministries.
But because they are morally good, they can become difficult to question. Once something is labelled “God’s work,” people may hesitate to ask ordinary questions about priorities, accountability, finances, or leadership.
Yet the Bereans were commended because they examined what they were taught rather than accepting it uncritically, here is Acts 17:11 displayed below:
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
Biblical discernment is not cynicism. It is careful testing, and you are allowed to examine what is said to you.
Shepherds Are Called to Stay With the Sheep
Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd.
“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
He contrasts this with the hired hand, who abandons the sheep when danger comes.
A shepherd’s calling is not glamorous.
It involves patience.
Presence.
Listening.
Correction.
Comfort.
Faithfulness through ordinary weeks, not just exciting opportunities.
Sometimes the greatest act of ministry is not boarding another plane.
It is staying.
Having difficult conversations.
Reconciling relationships.
Walking alongside hurting people.
Serving faithfully when nobody is applauding.
Success Can Become Spiritually Dangerous
The modern church often celebrates visible success.
More followers.
More invitations.
More travel.
More influence.
More photographs.
More platforms.
Yet Jesus consistently moved away from popularity.
He withdrew to pray.
He refused to build His ministry around public approval.
He even challenged crowds until many stopped following Him (John 6:66).
Kingdom success and worldly success are not always the same thing.
Testing Ourselves
Before we examine others, Scripture calls us to examine ourselves.
Every Christian should ask difficult questions:
- Am I serving because I love Christ?
- Am I running towards God’s call or away from something painful?
- Have I confused activity with obedience?
- Do I welcome accountability?
- Would I still serve if nobody noticed?
- Am I willing to stay when staying is harder than going?
These questions are not only for pastors. They are for every disciple.
Not Every Mission Is Driven by Wrong Motives
It is equally important not to swing to the opposite extreme.
Many missionaries sacrifice careers, income, comfort, safety, and family to serve Christ faithfully around the world. They quietly labour for years with little recognition, motivated by genuine love for God and neighbour.
Their work deserves gratitude and prayer.
The concern is not with missions themselves.
The concern is with the possibility that good ministry can sometimes conceal unhealthy motives, something Scripture repeatedly warns us about.
God Desires Truth in the Inner Person
David prayed after his sin:
“You desire truth in the inward being.” (Psalm 51:6)
God is not impressed by polished presentations if the heart is divided.
He desires integrity.
Humility.
Repentance.
Love.
Faithfulness.
The Christian life is ultimately about becoming more like Christ.
A Final Challenge
Whenever we encounter inspiring ministry, compelling stories, or ambitious vision, it is wise to remember that only God fully knows the heart.
We should celebrate genuine gospel work wherever we see it.
We should support faithful servants.
At the same time, we should resist the temptation to assume that visible ministry automatically proves spiritual maturity.
The Scriptures consistently call believers to test everything, remain humble, and remember that the Lord weighs the motives of the heart.
As Proverbs 16:2 reminds us:
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”
That truth should humble every Christian, whether they serve in a local church, on the mission field, or quietly behind the scenes.
The question is not simply, “Is the ministry good?”
The deeper biblical question is:
“What is happening in the heart of the one doing it? Only God can know.”