Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7-8 are familiar to many:

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

It seems like a simple premise to understand: If we ask, we’ll get what we want. If we seek something, we’ll find it. If we’re persistent, we’ll be rewarded. Yet like so many other biblical concepts, we can easily twist what God intends by what our limited understanding is. We think we know what asking, seeking, and knocking entails, and we certainly believe we know what we want. We can deal with being persistent, especially when we’re assured a reward at the end.

But we need to keep this teaching in the context of the one who is teaching. Jesus teaches nothing that’s contrary to his character, and he certainly doesn’t encourage our spoiled child prayers. He doesn’t tell us we’ll get what we want. He teaches that God’s will is for us to desire God and only God, inviting his will to consume our will, yielding completely to him, trusting him to determine and meet our needs.

When you ask, seek, and knock, consider…

How are you asking?

Who are you seeking?

Where are you knocking?

If you’re asking to receive self-centered needs instead of God-centered needs, you’re not asking within Jesus’ definition of “ask.” If you’re seeking anyone’s will other than God’s, you’re not seeking within Jesus’ definition of “seek.” If you’re knocking on any door not purposed and planned by God, you’re not knocking within Jesus’ definition of “knock.”

Sometimes you won’t be certain how or why you’re asking, seeking, or knocking. Don’t get too stressed about it. God wants to hear from you, so even if you’re unsure about your motivation or direction, go ahead and talk with God. Trust him to sift through your motives. He knows what he’s doing, and he is completely trustworthy. Avoid the tug-of-war of control. He will always win, so it’s best to be on his side.