W. Austin Gardner
Wrong motives

Psalm 69:4: “They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.”
Their Motives Cannot Destroy You (“being mine enemies wrongfully”). The word used for “wrongfully” means “an untruth, a sham.” People do not often need a good reason to get mad, make a false accusation, or fight against God’s children.
As a matter of fact, they are more than willing to make up a reason if need be! Their motto is, “Never let the facts stand in the way of a good story.” Most problems in church are really no problems at all once they have been investigated and searched out.
We can better bear the burden of suffering if our hands are clean. First Peter 2:19-20 says, “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash
Chris Hanks, Morning Manna