Random thought: Is it wrong to do the right things for the wrong reasons?

[IBDesmond]

I was literally just talking to my friend and thought I would put it out there.

Is there any harm in doing the right thing for the wrong reason?



​

The reason I ask is because I used to work out all the time. Not religiously or intensely. Just....kind of, "recreationally" haha. I've been wanting to get back into it and lacked the motivation....however...I have recently found a little motivation. As some of you know I've been talking to a girl. She's not my girlfriend but things could potentially head in that direction, but I find myself working out and wanting to look good for her despite the fact she isn't very likely to see my body in all it's glory any time soon....I mean...come summer I'm partial to a topless skate and obviously she will see my shoulders, arms and chest bulk up a little bit when I'm wearing a T-shirt or whatever but you know what I mean.
Can this lead to harm down the line like, if things don't work out with her, or am I okay?

I also ask this question as an open question relatable to any scenario.

 

[ChandlerFan]

I think it somewhat depends on the scenario, and while I do think that in some cases it is wrong to do the right thing for the wrong reason, I would maybe use less strong language for most scenarios and say that it is less than ideal to do the right thing for the wrong reason. That's because obviously it would be ideal to do the right thing for the right reason haha.

I think in your case, there is nothing wrong with working out to look good for someone so I wouldn't even say that your reason for working out is wrong, but if it becomes something that rules your heart to where you're neglecting other priorities or you are going to be devastated if things don't work out with her, it's not a good thing for you ultimately. You don't seem at all like your heart is in a bad place, though. It's always good if you can have some other right motivation behind it, though, like wanting to glorify God through taking care of your body and looking good for your future spouse, whether it's this girl you mentioned or someone else down the line.

 

[Malcyboy]

I dont think its a massive issue...the part i see any issue with is the topless skating...its never that hot in the UK (Im from scotland talking from experience lol) to need to skate topless haha...so in that instance, i would say, wear a vest? Its not modest showing off your body that way...even if girls dont show it, it can factor in issues of lust etc....scripture teaches us to not cause another believer to stumble...and being topless will do so....

dress modestly (always cover body) and then i see no issue...

 

[IBDesmond]

Thanks Chandler. Ultimately I want to look good but right now, thinking of this girl is giving me that little push to actually do it since I've digressed.

I dont think its a massive issue...the part i see any issue with is the topless skating...its never that hot in the UK (Im from scotland talking from experience lol) to need to skate topless haha...so in that instance, i would say, wear a vest? Its not modest showing off your body that way...even if girls dont show it, it can factor in issues of lust etc....scripture teaches us to not cause another believer to stumble...and being topless will do so....

dress modestly (always cover body) and then i see no issue...

I'm not sure I agree. I mean, of course I agree we shouldn't cause others to stumble and sin but going topless isn't doing anything wrong. Look at hot countries where they have a bikini culture or countries where they don't really wear clothes. That kind of thing is to do with each other is at personally.

P.s. In Scotland the weather doesn't get too hot to warrant going topless but where I am, it does lol.

 

[JonahLynx]

I don't see anything wrong with your particular situation. Philosophically I believe it is wrong to do the "right thing" for the wrong reasons since God looks at the heart. But exercising because you want to look good for someone isn't wrong, in my opinion. Is it really that different from dressing up? TBH, I should try to build up too but I don't care enough, lol. One day the military may be looking for another smart stick figure to be the next Captain America!

 

[ArtsieSteph]

I definitely think that doing right things for the wrong reason makes it not a good witness. I mean you did a right thing yeah, but someone may find out you complaining about doing it later or hating it or something, and think you're a hypocrite, superficial, ect. Now wanting to look good I don't think is a bad thing, but wouldn't you rather have the girl like you for you?

 

[IBDesmond]

I definitely think that doing right things for the wrong reason makes it not a good witness. I mean you did a right thing yeah, but someone may find out you complaining about doing it later or hating it or something, and think you're a hypocrite, superficial, ect. Now wanting to look good I don't think is a bad thing, but wouldn't you rather have the girl like you for you?

The thing is....she does like me for me. She already likes me and (as far as I'm aware) everything about me. So it's not like I'm trying to win her over. I'm just trying to....I dunno....secure things haha

 

[thezachattack]

It is an interesting question, IBDesmond.

In your particular example, there are some definite long term benefits to you by working out. So even though your short term reasons for working out (impressing your date) may not be your ideal reasons, in the long term you will still see a benefit (better health, lower blood pressure, etc.).

In general, I think even though some people do things for selfish or personal reasons, the greater good has to be considered. For example, if a movie theater hosts a food drive and offers movie tickets in exchange for canned goods, I think this is a good thing. Although my motivation for bringing food may be that two cans is less than a $10 movie ticket, people still benefit from my motives.

 

[ChandlerFan]

The thing is....she does like me for me. She already likes me and (as far as I'm aware) everything about me. So it's not like I'm trying to win her over. I'm just trying to....I dunno....secure things haha

To that I would say that you can be the most attractive person on earth and still not have a significant other in your life if it is not in God's plan for you. So there are certainly things you can do to help yourself out, and taking care of your body is a great way to do that, but ultimately nothing is certain in this life except for what God has promised and planned. So in a sense, trying to secure things is futile, but pressing into God is not.

 

[Lynx]

I'm reminded of the fortune telling girl in the Bible who had a demon, the one who went around after the apostles proclaiming that they were from God. What she said wasn't wrong, but she (or the demon) did it for the wrong reasons. Paul eventually had enough and rebuked the demon.

This has nothing to do with body-building, but you did say you were asking this question as it relates to any scenario...
It can be very wrong to do something right for the wrong reason.

 

[CatHerder]

[SUP]
from Phillipians 1:
15 [/SUP]Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. [SUP]16 [/SUP]The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. [SUP]17 [/SUP]The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. [SUP]18 [/SUP]What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

the short answer is yes. It is possible for us to do the right things for the wrong reasons.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

This is a great subject to discuss. Generally speaking, I'd say we have to remember that God looks at the heart of our intentions, always. There are many places in scripture where God rebuked because someone did something that was GOOD in itself, but without the proper heart.

Some that come to mind are:

Cain's sacrifice (Genesis 4) - giving a sacrifice in itself is good, but Cain's heart was not in a good place and his motivations were wrong. His sacrifice was rejected by God.

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) - giving of their money was a good thing in itself, but their intentions were prideful and dishonest. God dealt with them quite severely for this.

On the flip side, there were also rather ordinary or even wrong-appearing things that God blesses because the heart was right:

Mary's perfume (John 12) - Mary washes Jesus' feet with an expensive perfume, is rebuked by Judas for not using the money to feed the poor instead (wastefulness), but Jesus blessed her offering.

Always, always it comes down to the heart behind the action. If we can't get our hearts right on our own, we should do right anyway and pray that God changes us into what we need to be. That's my take on things.

(This isn't related to the OP's situation, which I don't think is a problem in itself.)

 

[Keef]

I was literally just talking to my friend and thought I would put it out there.

Is there any harm in doing the right thing for the wrong reason?



​

The reason I ask is because I used to work out all the time. Not religiously or intensely. Just....kind of, "recreationally" haha. I've been wanting to get back into it and lacked the motivation....however...I have recently found a little motivation. As some of you know I've been talking to a girl. She's not my girlfriend but things could potentially head in that direction, but I find myself working out and wanting to look good for her despite the fact she isn't very likely to see my body in all it's glory any time soon....I mean...come summer I'm partial to a topless skate and obviously she will see my shoulders, arms and chest bulk up a little bit when I'm wearing a T-shirt or whatever but you know what I mean.
Can this lead to harm down the line like, if things don't work out with her, or am I okay?

I also ask this question as an open question relatable to any scenario.

1 Corinthians 13:1
Matthew 6:25

 

[Lynx]

Another one that comes to mind is when Simon the sorcerer tried to give the apostles money for the power to give someone the Holy Spirit. He was not rebuked for the act of offering money, he was rebuked for where his heart was. He wanted something good, but for the wrong reason - to increase his power, his influence.

 

[psychomom]

warning: old lady rant totally unrelated to whether or not Desmond should work out.
(go ahead, Desmond! it's good for you! )

Grace made the excellent point God sees what motivates us.
and we should do the right thing, whether or not we feel like it.

but often, inside the church, we begin to believe our doing of the right thing with the wrong heart reveals devout righteousness.

what that actually reveals about me in that moment is deep unrighteousness.
and my great need of an alien Righteousness...Christ's Righteousness.

God is Perfect at keeping His Promises, so we can know for sure He will change us.
(thank You, Lord, Author and Finisher of our faith!)

rant over...thanks for listening.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

The parable of the prodigal son...

The son who stayed was physically obedient, did all that was right, and never left his father. Yet his reasoning and entitlement made his right actions worthless in the end. His father was grieved with him.

 

[Malcyboy]

I am not saying that its wrong to workout...i just think doing it simply to make her want you more is bad intention... Especially as your saying you expect her to see you skating topless, whether you simply just want a healthy relationship or not...all your doing is trying to influence attraction, and in that I think its not the right motive...wanting to look good for a date is good, and that can be achieved through dressing and working out, but wanting to flash your ripped body is just unmodest...that could be equated to her walking around in her bra if she had just worked out, or just had a breast modification...think about that....you can either take advice or ignore it..

 

[zeroturbulence]

I was literally just talking to my friend and thought I would put it out there.

Is there any harm in doing the right thing for the wrong reason?



​

The reason I ask is because I used to work out all the time. Not religiously or intensely. Just....kind of, "recreationally" haha. I've been wanting to get back into it and lacked the motivation....however...I have recently found a little motivation. As some of you know I've been talking to a girl. She's not my girlfriend but things could potentially head in that direction, but I find myself working out and wanting to look good for her despite the fact she isn't very likely to see my body in all it's glory any time soon....I mean...come summer I'm partial to a topless skate and obviously she will see my shoulders, arms and chest bulk up a little bit when I'm wearing a T-shirt or whatever but you know what I mean.
Can this lead to harm down the line like, if things don't work out with her, or am I okay?

I also ask this question as an open question relatable to any scenario.

One doesn't have to see someone naked to be able to tell what kind of shape their in.

 

[RickyZ]

It sounds like a decision of the flesh, which we all know...

But on the other hand, if it gets you to tone the temple it can't be all bad... can it?

I guess that's what you were asking. I can see I'm of no help here

 

[1still_waters]

I was literally just talking to my friend and thought I would put it out there.

Is there any harm in doing the right thing for the wrong reason?



​

The reason I ask is because I used to work out all the time. Not religiously or intensely. Just....kind of, "recreationally" haha. I've been wanting to get back into it and lacked the motivation....however...I have recently found a little motivation. As some of you know I've been talking to a girl. She's not my girlfriend but things could potentially head in that direction, but I find myself working out and wanting to look good for her despite the fact she isn't very likely to see my body in all it's glory any time soon....I mean...come summer I'm partial to a topless skate and obviously she will see my shoulders, arms and chest bulk up a little bit when I'm wearing a T-shirt or whatever but you know what I mean.
Can this lead to harm down the line like, if things don't work out with her, or am I okay?

I also ask this question as an open question relatable to any scenario.

Women have been known to do their hair, lose weight, get a nice outfit, yada yada yada to look presentable to a man.

Why can't you get in shape for one?

In a way, it's a demonstration that you care enough to present yourself well to her.
That speaks a lot more than not caring to present well.