Does God Ever Use Hell To Motivate You?

Rico · #1 06-13-2008, 12:44 PM

Have you ever found yourself in one of those slow times, when you're not really praying a whole lot, studying your Bible much, and just not doing a whole lot to show Jesus to the people around you? If so, what do you do to get yourself motivated again? Do you find yourself thinking about Hell and how we need to do everything we can to help others avoid ending up there? Does God ever use Hell to motivate you to get off your duff and get back to prayin, studyin, and tellin people about the salvation He bought for us?

My Own Eyes · #2 06-13-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

Have you ever found yourself in one of those slow times, when you're not really praying a whole lot, studying your Bible much, and just not doing a whole lot to show Jesus to the people around you? If so, what do you do to get yourself motivated again? Do you find yourself thinking about Hell and how we need to do everything we can to help others avoid ending up there? Does God ever use Hell to motivate you to get off your duff and get back to prayin, studyin, and tellin people about the salvation He bought for us?

No, but the devil does!

Do you think that God wants you to do those things out of fear? Or because you love Him?

If you WERE to do them out of fear, what has that really accomplished?

This has been such a fight for me. When I think of Christianity/God/Church , I think of FEAR FEAR FEAR, and the constant whispering in my ear that I wasn't praying enough, reading the Bible enough, going to Church enough, Witnessing Enough. Nothing was ever enough. No matter how I tried I was never good enough or spiritual enough.

No wonder I was miserable!!!

I may be a big ol' heathen now, but as least I have some peace!

Rico · #3 06-13-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

No, but the devil does!

Do you think that God wants you to do those things out of fear? Or because you love Him?

If you WERE to do them out of fear, what has that really accomplished?

This has been such a fight for me. When I think of Christianity/God/Church , I think of FEAR FEAR FEAR, and the constant whispering in my ear that I wasn't praying enough, reading the Bible enough, going to Church enough, Witnessing Enough. Nothing was ever enough. No matter how I tried I was never good enough or spiritual enough.

No wonder I was miserable!!!

I may be a big ol' heathen now, but as least I have some peace!

Sister, I understand what you are saying about letting fear control us. That is not what I was trying to get at though. There is a big difference in understanding the reality of Hell, and letting that motivate you to move forward in Christ, and sitting around being scared all the time about ending up there.

My Own Eyes · #4 06-13-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

Sister, I understand what you are saying about letting fear control us. That is not what I was trying to get at though. There is a big difference in understanding the reality of Hell, and letting that motivate you to move forward in Christ, and sitting around being scared all the time about ending up there.

And how in the world would "the reality of hell" "motivate" one beyond fear? If you are specifically doing something so that you won't go there, then I think your motivation is wrong. You should do something because you want to, or because it's the right thing to do, not because you don't want to end up extra-crispy.

Esther · #5 06-13-2008, 01:06 PM

I think the Bible mentions hell more than it does heaven.

I am motivated to please God. I want Him to be pleased.

DividedThigh · #6 06-13-2008, 01:07 PM

fear is a temporary motivator, when you get used to whatever you fear it subsides, most of the time, love however, is a permanent motivator, i love god therefore i serve him, not a run to the altar in fear, and repent, but a burning relationship of love and worship to Christ, dt

A_PoMo · #7 06-13-2008, 01:09 PM

No, but manipulative preachers have.

My Own Eyes · #8 06-13-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DividedThigh

fear is a temporary motivator, when you get used to whatever you fear it subsides, most of the time, love however, is a permanent motivator, i love god therefore i serve him, not a run to the altar in fear, and repent, but a burning relationship of love and worship to Christ, dt

Fear actually prevents love. You can't love someone that you fear, and you definately don't want to spend time with them. It's like being around an abuser, you walk on eggshells because you never know when the mood will change and they will strike.

Maybe that's why I don't love God.

How many of you did I shock right there?

I mean, I like Him and everything. But I still haven't gotten to the point where I feel I can trust Him.

Rico · #9 06-13-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

And how in the world would "the reality of hell" "motivate" one beyond fear? If you are specifically doing something so that you won't go there, then I think your motivation is wrong. You should do something because you want to, or because it's the right thing to do, not because you don't want to end up extra-crispy.

Once again, you are missing the point. I am not talking about being afraid of me going to Hell. I am talking about the reality of Hell motivating me to push forward in fulfilling the Great Commission so sinners won't end up in Hell.

My Own Eyes · #10 06-13-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

Once again, you are missing the point. I am not talking about being afraid of me going to Hell. I am talking about the reality of Hell motivating me to push forward in fulfilling the Great Commission so sinners won't end up in Hell.

Well why didn't ya just say that in the first place??