What motivates you?

[Reformationist]

Hello everyone.

I was wondering what motivates you to make your choices?

IOW, why do you choose one way or the other in a given situation?

Thanks for your input.

God bless

 

[Knight]

Wisdom, Logic, and a BIG helping of the Holy Spirit.

(Not necessarily in that order....)

 

[Reformationist]

Wisdom, Logic, and a BIG helping of the Holy Spirit.

(Not necessarily in that order....)

Okay. I'm having a problem with being specific in my questions.

What I mean is, when you are faced with making a decision, what is the determining factor in which direction you take? I understand that you want your decision to be a wise one but we'd have to backtrack a bit and acknowledge what it is that determines what you think is wise.

For instance, if keeping God's Law is wise to you then it would seem that when you make a decision it is motivated by a desire to be wise in keeping God's Law.

Is that an accurate statement?

God bless

 

[Drotar]

Whatever I think, whatever I feel, and my environment. That's what I concluded causes us to make certain choices. They conflict with each other and whichever one two or three give the strongest inclination for action, I'll follow. I know I don't want to waste my money, but I feel cold and it's raining outside. I think I'll buy a jacket. I dunno, bad illustration, sorry... TTYL Jesus loves you!

 

[Knight]

Okay. I'm having a problem with being specific in my questions.

What I mean is, when you are faced with making a decision, what is the determining factor in which direction you take? I understand that you want your decision to be a wise one but we'd have to backtrack a bit and acknowledge what it is that determines what you think is wise.

True wisdom comes from God. God's Word is the Bible. I'll base my decisions on that. (Yes, I've been reading Proverbs lately.)

For instance, if keeping God's Law is wise to you then it would seem that when you make a decision it is motivated by a desire to be wise in keeping God's Law.

Is that an accurate statement?

God bless

I'd say that's accurate.

 

[Knight]

What about you, Ref?

 

[Reformationist]

Whatever I think, whatever I feel, and my environment. That's what I concluded causes us to make certain choices. They conflict with each other and whichever one two or three give the strongest inclination for action, I'll follow. I know I don't want to waste my money, but I feel cold and it's raining outside. I think I'll buy a jacket. I dunno, bad illustration, sorry... TTYL Jesus loves you!

LOL! Actually it's a very logical illustration.

Thanks for sharing.

God bless

 

[Reformationist]

What about you, Ref?

Well, first, thank for asking.

When I am faced with a decision that which I most strongly desire at that moment is what motivates me. As I grow in my Christian maturity I have, by the grace of God, seen my desire to obey God grow but I'd have to say that my motivation in choosing is whatsoever I most strongly desire when I choose.

God bless

 

[Knight]

Interesting.
This seems to be a little philosophical for me. (Or maybe it's just been a long week.)

It does pose an interesting question. Do regenerated Christians still make decisions based on their sinful natures?

Is this what you're driving at or am I off my base?

 

[Reformationist]

Interesting.
This seems to be a little philosophical for me. (Or maybe it's just been a long week.)

LOL! I know the feeling bro.

It does pose an interesting question. Do regenerated Christians still make decisions based on their sinful natures?

I don't know that I'd word it that way. I'd say that regenerate people most definitely still make decisions in accordance with what is no longer the actual nature, that is, their flesh. However, by the grace of God, we are sanctified and should see a progressive growth in our desire to abstain from sinfulness and "put on" all aspects of what our nature currently is, which is regenerate.

Is this what you're driving at or am I off my base?

Kind of. All Christians have felt that internal struggle between our old sinful desire to feed the lusts of our flesh and our new desire to obey God. All Christians who acknowledge this struggle will acknowledge that at times their desire to feed the lusts of their flesh is stronger than their desire to obey God.

So, in light of that acknowledgement, when faced with temptation, what is it that motivates your will to move in a certain direction? When you sin, what motivated your sinfulness? When you obey, what motivated you to obey?

God bless

 

[Knight]

You're talking about walking in the Spirit vs. walking in the flesh.

I think I see now. (It has been a long week BTW)

When we are walking by the Spirit we are motivated by Him to do His will. However, when we don't have that Spirit-centered outlook then we can become confused by our sinful nature and make decisions motivated by that.

Is this making any sense?

Note that when I refer to being filled with the Spirit I am not talking about baptism of the Spirit. That occured at conversion. Being filled with the Spirit means to take up our cross daily and follow Christ. To give our lives over to Him. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination.

As to what motivates me:
I would like to say that I am always Spirit led in my decisions. However, that would be a lie. There are times when I am motivated by the Spirit and make decisions based on that. There are also times that I am not.

However, I always turn to God for the major decisions in life.

 

[Reformationist]

You're talking about walking in the Spirit vs. walking in the flesh.

I think I see now. (It has been a long week BTW)

When we are walking by the Spirit we are motivated by Him to do His will. However, when we don't have that Spirit-centered outlook then we can become confused by our sinful nature and make decisions motivated by that.

Is this making any sense?

Note that when I refer to being filled with the Spirit I am not talking about baptism of the Spirit. That occured at conversion. Being filled with the Spirit means to take up our cross daily and follow Christ. To give our lives over to Him. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination.

As to what motivates me:
I would like to say that I am always Spirit led in my decisions. However, that would be a lie. There are times when I am motivated by the Spirit and make decisions based on that. There are also times that I am not.

However, I always turn to God for the major decisions in life.

Makes sense to me.

God bless and have a good weekend,
Don

 

[MsAnne]

I tend to be rather black and white and am quite parameter bound. I like knowing "this is ok", but "this isn't". That makes most of my decisions.

But I must confess - and I'm not very proud to admit it - I do tend to make some decisions based on the possibility of negative response. What I mean is, I may avoid doing something dumb or something I know is wrong more out of a fear of negative consequences than out of a need to simply 'do the right thing'. The result is the same, but the motivation is not.

When you're "The Good Girl", the idea of disappointing those around you can be a powerful motivating force.

 

[Reformationist]

Well hello there "Good Girl."

I'd like to comment on your post, if I may.

I tend to be rather black and white and am quite parameter bound. I like knowing "this is ok", but "this isn't". That makes most of my decisions.

But I must confess - and I'm not very proud to admit it - I do tend to make some decisions based on the possibility of negative response. What I mean is, I may avoid doing something dumb or something I know is wrong more out of a fear of negative consequences than out of a need to simply 'do the right thing'. The result is the same, but the motivation is not.

While I agree that knowing the law is important we must also recognize that just knowing the law isn't enough because the law, in and of itself, can only enlighten us and convict us. It can never save us. So, in light of that, would you say it's a more specific connotation of what you're alluding to say that because you know "this is ok, but this isn't" that you seek to do what is okay because you desire to please God or that you do not desire to experience the negative results of choosing unwisely?

If that is an accurate assessment of what you're saying then would it also be accurate to say that what, in fact, motivates you to do what is okay is your desire, be it either to please God or avoid the results of disobedience? IOW, it's your desire that motivates your will?

When you're "The Good Girl", the idea of disappointing those around you can be a powerful motivating force.

Is that because you desire not to disappoint those around you?

Thanks,
God bless

 

[Hound]

If I may interject a military point of view: When men go into combat they do not fight for medals or glory, not even mom and apple pie. They fight for the man next to them because he is doing the same. Our motivation comes from the desire to not fail those who count on you to do job. Whether it is building a bridge or detroying an enemy, you do this to ensure the victory of the team and get everyone home alive. Much like the "Good Girl" it is a desire not to let down those around you. But of course, that is in defference to the world. On the other hand, some things I do out of the desire to emulate Christ. In my day-to-day life I am not expected to be a nice guy. In fact, I am encouraged by most of my superiors to be as unpleasent as possible. However, I am kind to my subordinates and encourage the same in them. My guidance to them is: "Don't be a jerk!" We talk alot about motivation here in the Corps and copius tomes have been written about it, but each man must find his own motivation for the things he does.

 

[Reformationist]

If I may interject a military point of view: When men go into combat they do not fight for medals or glory, not even mom and apple pie. They fight for the man next to them because he is doing the same. Our motivation comes from the desire to not fail those who count on you to do job. Whether it is building a bridge or detroying an enemy, you do this to ensure the victory of the team and get everyone home alive. Much like the "Good Girl" it is a desire not to let down those around you. But of course, that is in defference to the world. On the other hand, some things I do out of the desire to emulate Christ. In my day-to-day life I am not expected to be a nice guy. In fact, I am encouraged by most of my superiors to be as unpleasent as possible. However, I am kind to my subordinates and encourage the same in them. My guidance to them is: "Don't be a jerk!" We talk alot about motivation here in the Corps and copius tomes have been written about it, but each man must find his own motivation for the things he does.

Thanks Hound and thanks for your service to our country.

God bless

 

[Hound]

You're welcome.

 

[Andrew]

I was wondering what motivates you to make your choices?

IOW, why do you choose one way or the other in a given situation?

I rely on the witness of the Holy Spirit within.
eg: Should I take job A or B? So I go for both job interviews (God does not guide a parked car). During the interview, I try not to rely soley on what's said and seen, but how the Spirit is bearing witness to my spirit.

If there is a peace about it, or a very deep assurance, joy, then it is a green light from the Holy Spirit.

But if there is fear, or something -ve you just cant put your finger on, then its a red light from the Spirit not to do it.

that's the jist of it -- the witness of the Spirit.

 

[nate_b]

I rely on the witness of the Holy Spirit within.
eg: Should I take job A or B? So I go for both job interviews (God does not guide a parked car). During the interview, I try not to rely soley on what's said and seen, but how the Spirit is bearing witness to my spirit.

If there is a peace about it, or a very deep assurance, joy, then it is a green light from the Holy Spirit.

But if there is fear, or something -ve you just cant put your finger on, then its a red light from the Spirit not to do it.

that's the jist of it -- the witness of the Spirit.

If you have matured in your walk with Christ enough to the point where this is completely true, God bless you man, because that is fabulous. I have a hard time with that though. It sounds like you are working off of your feelings, which you say come from the Holy Spirit. I'm not saying this isn't true, because really hope it is for you. In my experience though, at least in my life, feelings are very unreliable. I mean, if the guy giving the interview just happened to have a bad morning that day, it could perhaps throw off your view of the company, or you may have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed, and that could lead to different feelings. Our feelings are very unreliable IMO. I try to rely on what I know more than what I feel.

Point in case: a missionary goes to a tribe in Africa somewhere, this tribe is very hostile to outsiders, previous missionarys have given thier lives in the quest to speak to this tribe. The missionary gets a really bad vibe from the whole atmosphere. That doesn't mean the Holy Spirit is telling them that this place is a no go.

I do believe, however, that if you are in communion with God during these times, asking him to show you the answer for his purposes, then what you stated is a great gift from God.

I just wanted to offer a word of warning for those out there who might simply rely on feelings withought constant communication with God, for Satan can easily sway our emotions as well.

 

[calgal]

If you have matured in your walk with Christ enough to the point where this is completely true, God bless you man, because that is fabulous. I have a hard time with that though. It sounds like you are working off of your feelings, which you say come from the Holy Spirit. I'm not saying this isn't true, because really hope it is for you. In my experience though, at least in my life, feelings are very unreliable. I mean, if the guy giving the interview just happened to have a bad morning that day, it could perhaps throw off your view of the company, or you may have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed, and that could lead to different feelings. Our feelings are very unreliable IMO. I try to rely on what I know more than what I feel.

Point in case: a missionary goes to a tribe in Africa somewhere, this tribe is very hostile to outsiders, previous missionarys have given thier lives in the quest to speak to this tribe. The missionary gets a really bad vibe from the whole atmosphere. That doesn't mean the Holy Spirit is telling them that this place is a no go.

I do believe, however, that if you are in communion with God during these times, asking him to show you the answer for his purposes, then what you stated is a great gift from God.

I just wanted to offer a word of warning for those out there who might simply rely on feelings withought constant communication with God, for Satan can easily sway our emotions as well.

Amen! Well stated.