I don't know a whole lot about criminal investigation, so I confess that I am probably over-simplifying things. But from the little I have read, it seems like the common factor that a detective looks for in solving a case is opportunity and motive.  Did the suspect have the opportunity to commit the crime?  Did the suspect have a motive for doing so?

You may be wondering how this can serve as a spiritual lesson, but God really has a point to make here.

I have been reading this wonderful book by Christian author, Dr. James B. Richards.  It covers a myriad of topics, but one of many of his statements that just jumped off the page and smacked me in the face had to do with giving testimonies.  He asked a very pointed question:  "When we give a testimony, can we present it without using the word 'I'?"

Wow!  I thought back to the times when I have shared a testimony.  I even "re-played" a couple in my head.  And do you know what?  I had a hard time not using "I."

Now please understand.  God can - and does - work on our behalf without us physically being involved at all.  But for the most part God uses us as the vessel to work through.  So, in the most literal sense, yes - "I" have had to have done something.

But the point God is making is: what is my motive?  When I give a testimony, am I really giving it to give HIM the glory, or am I telling people, "See what I did?  Look at the revelation I got.  See how I worked things through either my words or actions so God would do something for me."

Let me give you an example:
     "I had all these bills due at the end of month.  There was not near enough in the checkbook to cover them, and there was no visible sign of any income coming in time.  I finally made the decision to not look at the circumstances, but to focus on God and put my trust in Him........"  And of course, the testimony was that God came through and unexpected income came in time to pay the bills.

Don't give up on me yet.  Keep reading.

There was nothing wrong with the words that were spoken.  After all, we aren't  to look at the things which can be seen - like the checkbook, the calendar, the due dates on the bills (2 Corinthians 4:18).  We are to focus on God and have faith in Him (Mark 11:22).  And it's an absolute certainty that He will not let His Word return void, but will do what it was sent to accomplish (Isaiah 55:11).  He will always supply our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

But it was the motive in the testimony.    The motive was not in giving God the glory for what He had done.  The motive was to draw attention to what self had accomplished.  "Look at what I did.  I made the decision.....I put my trust...."

You're probably thinking, "Well, she sure is being judgmental.  How does she know what the motive was?"  Because sad to say, that was my testimony and that was the motive for giving it.  Oh, I suppose somewhere there was a desire to exalt Jesus, but for the most part, I had just gotten a revelation and I pretty much wanted people to know about it

Everyday we have the opportunity to give a testimony.  Because there is never a day when Jesus isn't doing something on our behalf.  After all, didn't He say He would never leave us, nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)?  But it is the motive behind the opportunity. 

God showed me that if f I have the opportunity to share a testimony of what He has done for me, but I have a hard time just saying, "My shoulder has been hurting for the past week, but God healed me," and can't stop right there without "adding to or taking away," there's a problem with my motive. 

It's not that God doesn't want me using the word "I."  I repeat, He wants us to be His vessels.  But He does want me to give all the glory to Him.  There is nothing that "I" have ever done, nor ever will do, that gives substance to a testimony.  It is God who works in me both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

Never pass up the opportunity to share Him with others, but be sure of your motive.  After all, a self motive is a "crime!" :)