For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Galatians 5:6 (NKJV)
Negative motivation doesn’t work on its own.
At first it seems as if it does because when someone is reprimanded or embarrassed, they try to change. But we need to look a little deeper.
Let’s take parenting as an example. If you correct children and never show them love, they develop a negative motivation to change. Sure they might behave to avoid punishment, at least when you’re looking, but this does nothing to motivate them to
want to do what’s right. While kids need consequences, they need love even more. They need to know you love them, believe in them and want what’s best for them. Then they’ll want to do well.
The same is true in our adult lives. In order to really change, it takes the power of God
and faith, and faith only works by love. This means that if you are motivated by fear or negativity only, your faith won’t work. In fact, Satan thrives where there is only fear and no love. If he can’t stop someone from giving their life to Christ, he will try to stop Christians from knowing how loved and valued they are by God. But don’t fall for his lies! The truth is God loves you!
It’s time to switch from fear-based to love-based motivation in your Christian life. Realize how loved you are and how much you’re worth to God. He doesn’t want you to be afraid anymore. Renew your self-worth by meditating on His love for you, and you’ll begin to have faith and you will gain access to His power in your life.