EP 387: Why God Cares More About Your Motives Than Your Gifts

Equip & Empower Podcast with Christine Caine

Equip and Empower

Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.9 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 23 March 2026

⏱️ 18 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What happens when we want the power of God—but not the heart of God? In this message, Christine Caine walks through Acts 8 to uncover a powerful warning for every believer: God isn’t impressed by influence, platforms, or appearances—He is looking at the heart. Through the story of Simon the Sorcerer, Christine reveals the difference between authentic faith and counterfeit spirituality, and why our motives matter more to God than our gifts. In a world obsessed with visibility, influence, and spiritual performance, it’s easy to mistake appearance for transformation. But Scripture reminds us that the gifts of God can never be bought, earned, or manipulated—God cares deeply about the condition of our hearts. If you’ve ever wrestled with comparison, spiritual ambition, disappointment, or hidden bitterness, this message will help you realign your heart with what truly matters and pursue the genuine work of God in your life. ✨ What you’ll learn: • How to discern between genuine and counterfeit spiritual influence • Why motives matter more to God than outward success • How bitterness quietly blocks spiritual freedom • Why the gifts of God can never be bought, earned, or manipulated 📘 Want to grow deeper in a flourishing life with God? Christine explores this more in The Faith to Flourish: 👉 ChristineCaine.com/Flourish 💛 Get your FREE Episode Reflection Guide: 👉 http://bit.ly/4gx1ZYk 🔔 Subscribe for weekly biblical teaching that will help you grow in faith, lead with courage, and live on mission for Jesus. + + + + 🖥️ SUBSCRIBE: https://bit.ly/ChristineCaineSubscribe PRE-ORDER Christine’s NEW book, The Faith to Flourish → https://linktr.ee/christinecaine ORDER Christine's new devotional, "You're Not Finished Yet" → https://linktr.ee/christinecaine 💛 For more great stuff, check out: LISTEN to Christine Caine’s Life and Leadership Podcast→ https://linktr.ee/christinecaine DONATE to Equip & Empower Ministries: https://linktr.ee/christinecaine 📲 Follow Christine on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChristineCaine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theChristineCaine/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristineCaine Christine Caine is a speaker, activist, and bestselling author who awakens people everywhere to discover their God-given purpose and live transformed lives for Jesus. Alongside her husband, Nick, she founded A21, a global anti-human trafficking organization that prevents exploitation, recovers victims, and empowers survivors. She also launched Propel Women, an initiative equipping women worldwide to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and live confidently in their calling. Through Equip & Empower, Christine activates people everywhere to live on mission for Jesus. Christine is the author of more than a dozen books and Bible studies, and she holds a Master’s Degree in Evangelism and Leadership from Wheaton College. For over 30 years, she and Nick have faithfully served the global Church. You can tune into her weekly Equip & Empower and Life & Leadership podcasts for practical insights and encouragement, always pointing to the hope found in Jesus. Christine and Nick live with their daughters, Catherine and Sophia. To learn more about Christine and her resources, visit http://www.christinecaine.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	You are not too far gone. You are not beyond redemption.
0:03.5	Your failure is not final, and your mistakes do not disqualify you from the forgiveness or the grace or the mercy or the love of God.
0:11.0	It's not too late. You are not finished. You can find hope and forgiveness in Jesus.
0:17.0	So as we keep going in Acts chapter 8, we see that on the same day that Stephen was marty, severe persecution, it broke out against the church in Jerusalem.
0:26.6	It actually forced all of the Jesus follows except the apostles to be scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
0:32.6	So this sea is intense, but can I just say that sometimes God does use intense trials
0:40.6	to actually get us out of our comfort zones
0:43.1	and to get us to go into his purpose for our lives.
0:47.3	In Acts chapter 1 verse 8,
0:49.4	Jesus had already told his disciples.
0:51.0	He said they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon
0:55.0	them, that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of
1:02.4	the earth.
1:08.9	We've all faced moments where faith feels tired or peace feels so far away and we seem to have lost our joy.
1:17.6	But flourishing is not found in the absence of storms or challenges.
1:21.6	It's actually found in digging deeper roots.
1:24.6	So if you've been longing for renewal, this book is going to help you to recover your peace,
1:30.3	to rebuild your strength,
1:32.3	to rediscover your purpose in God,
1:35.3	and find your joy again.
1:37.3	So take a deep breath.
1:39.3	Pause.
	...

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