“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.”

I’ve often wondered what motivated Judas to do what he did. It wasn’t primarily for the money. It clearly wasn’t out of obedience to our Savior. There’s a long list of motives we can likely eliminate. I believe Solomon touches on a piece of Judas’s reasoning in this verse. I’ve had staff—and perhaps you have too—who genuinely believed they knew what should be done better than I did. And maybe they were right. But I assure you, whatever Judas thought Jesus should have done to bring His kingdom into power, he was wrong. Many theologians believe Judas thought he could force Jesus’s hand—or at least provoke action from His followers. Judas believed that if they saw Jesus being persecuted, they would rise up and fight for Him. Ultimately, he thought this would lead to Jesus, and perhaps himself, being brought into power. Is that what was really going on? I don’t know. Scripture hints at elements of Judas’s corrupt heart that could support this theory. But whatever he was planning, it clearly didn’t align with God’s will. Just as Judas should have, we must always follow God’s lead. As Henry Blackaby said, “See where God is at work and join Him in it.” Today, set your own motives aside—and take hold of Gods’. #BeTheEdge

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV