“If you are always planning evil, you will earn a reputation as a troublemaker.” – Proverbs 24:8 [show] Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.

As you go about this week, concentrate on your motives and intentions in all that you do. Evaluate yourself and be honest about your thoughts and feelings in relation to the things going on in your life.

Thoughts to Ponder: Are you reacting with ill motivation? Are you creating conflict for others as a means of moving yourself into a better position? Are you planning against others out of spite, revenge, or even jealousy? Are you delighting in the misfortune of those around you? If you find that your motives and intentions are not always of a pure heart, search yourself and determine why you feel as though these methods are effective, beneficial, or acceptable. Once you understand why are you acting in this manner, try to figure out how to catch yourself when you are making trouble for others – purposely or unconsciously – and stop yourself from acting this way in the future.

Prayer: Father God, I give Your name reverence and I come to You with thanksgiving in my heart recognizing all that You have done in my life. Lord, please forgive me for things I have done with bad motives. I know that harboring ill will toward others and planning – or even wanting – bad things for them reflects a spirit of contention and displeases You. Please create within me a clean heart and help me to purge myself of the desire to take part in – or even wish to see – the downfall of another person. I rebuke the temptation to act as a planner of evil, or to find myself being regarded as a troublemaker because of my actions or desires. I thank You for loving me in spite of myself, Lord, and for forgiving me as I forgive others. In the preciously perfect name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.