Beginning in Philippians 1:15, Paul addresses a difficult reality: some people preach Christ with the wrong motives. The order of verses may vary slightly among translations, but the message remains clear. Paul identifies several motives that should give us pause. There is envy, where ministry becomes a competition rather than a calling. There is strife, which naturally follows envy and leads to conflict. There is contention, a dividing spirit that draws lines and separates believers into opposing camps. There are impure motives, where outward religion masks inward self-interest. There is even a desire to cause affliction, where success is measured by another’s discomfort. Finally, there is the subtle tendency to use religion as a cloak, presenting a polished exterior while quietly ignoring deeper issues. These are not ancient problems confined to Paul’s day. They remain uncomfortably familiar, and they have a way of slipping into places where we least expect them.
When I consider these motives, I cannot help but notice how easily they appear in modern settings, including my own heart. Envy can disguise itself as ambition. Strife can present itself as conviction. Contention can feel like standing for truth, even when it divides more than it builds. Gromacki observed that strife often arises when people argue over how something is said rather than what is said. That feels accurate. Entire conversations can drift into debates over tone while the message quietly waits in the corner like a guest who was invited but forgotten. I have found that it is easier to recognize these tendencies in others than in myself. There is something about the human heart that prefers a mirror with softer lighting and a flattering angle. Yet Paul’s words remind us that even good actions can be driven by misplaced motives. It is a sobering thought that doing the right thing for the wrong reason still leaves something unsettled beneath the surface.
The New Testament does not leave us without direction. Paul himself provides a surprising response. Despite these flawed motives, he writes, “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (Philippians 1:18). His focus remains on Christ, not on personal rivalry. Jesus also addressed the heart behind our actions, warning against practicing righteousness “to be seen by others” (Matthew 6:1). He consistently pointed beyond outward performance to inward reality. Ultimately, Christ is both the message and the measure. Through Him, we see what true humility and sincerity look like. As Paul later writes, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). In Him, motives are not merely corrected; they are transformed.