Running head: “The Bible the Source of Motivation Writing Assignment 1

Donya S.E. Paul

Washington Adventist University

The Bible: A Source of Motivation

October 26, 2010

PSYC 335
Running head: “The Bible the Source of Motivation Writing Assignment 2

Introduction

The Bible has always been the counseling source of motivation from the times of

the Israelite people to Abraham, Joshua, David, and many others of ancient Biblical

times. The Bible stress's that the heart is the source of motivation –Jeremiah 31:33. God

instilled in man the need to seek out encouragement in times of trials and tribulations and

to be inspired by the incentives at the end of the test or challenge presented. Joshua 1:8

shows the kindness of God when he promised Joshua and the Israelites that the land of

Jericho was going to be delivered to them. “Be courageous and very strong to take care to

do according to do all of the law according to all that is written in it, for then you will

make your way successful.” (Joshua 1: 8)

Abraham was considered one of God's loyalist of servants, and he was motivated

when God informed him that because of his daunting loyalty that “all nations of the earth

will certainly bless themselves due to the fact that you have listened to my voice.”

Genesis 23:18. A great nation came out of the line of Abraham. Isaac sought a wife and

was promise to have Rachael the daughter of Laban if he gave seven years of service.

Isaac obliged and did so faithfully for many years after he was promised Rachael when

he was tricked into marry Rachael's older sister Leah. While Jesus Christ was hanging on

the torture stake he promised the evil doer hanging next to him that “Truly I say to you

that you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43) Many can refer back to the Bible and

see that many great things transpired as a result of motivation.

The seed of motivation has been one of the main elements that highlight the acts

of reinforcements received from God and what the rewards and consequences and
Running head: “The Bible the Source of Motivation Writing Assignment 3

rewards of total obedience. The accounts the books of Exodus, Numbers, all through to

the Books of Nehemiah indicates the motivation that many responded to in order to gain

significant rewards from God. We also see the motivation to avoid the consequences of

punishment if they were disobedient. Anyone can read the most beautiful forms of

motivation in the Books of Psalms, Proverbs, or even Ecclesiastics. All powerful words

of encouragement and promises of gifts that would be granted due to obedience can be

found in these books

Many texts follow one of the greatest sources of motivation known to man. -The

Holy Bible. One need not look any further. All men faithful and non-believers can sought

out motivation of going to heaven or avoiding hell. One can be motivated to do what is

right and change one's life style to one that is God fearing and upright and be promised a

seat in heaven or be motivated to avoid going to hell by continuing to walk wicked path.

There are many elements good or bad, conscious, and unconscious that contributes to our

motivation. As we have been taught from our childhood and most of our lives the Bible

preeminently addresses our heart condition and what values, traditions and beliefs shape

our lives, mold our perceptive, affect and influence our behaviors, and what motivates

our behavior in that we either change or remain the same.

Seen in the Gospel of Luke the Apostle Luke notes that Jesus was concerned

about this essential issue of motivation particularly when he walked with his disciples.

Most of our loves we have been motivated by the words of the Bible either by our

parents, church our primary enforcers, or others from various religious background to be

motivate to seek everlasting life in heaven or reap a life of eternity in hell. Whatever the

inspiration comes from one must agree that the Bible is truly a premier source of
Running head: “The Bible the Source of Motivation Writing Assignment 4

motivation that leads to great rewards due to obedience or punishment which is a

consequence of not abiding by the rules. In both Hebrew and Greek culture, the heart was

thought of more as a symbol of ultimate purpose and motivation. Emotional concepts,

such as affection, were associated more with gastrointestinal organs. Hebrew symbolism

utilized in the body was considered as an analogy of the whole person. The strength of a

person was their outward behavior - what they do with their body. The conscious mind,

in that ancient culture did not as easily separate thought, emotion and volition as we do

today.

They recognized that the conscious mind was engaged in thoughts, feelings and

intentions but they tended to see these as different facets of the conscious mind. The heart

is the organ more at the core of the body. That culture used the heart as a symbol of the

inner man, the deepest thoughts, the deepest feelings, the deepest intentions. So

entrenched at times they were incomprehensible, and in some ways, unknowable and

difficult to observe – only by GOD. So the heart is, in that language, a word that

represents the core or ultimate intention, ultimate value, ultimate motivation. These were

also analogous to concentric circles. The inner man is center-most which is the heart.

Surrounding the heart is a larger circle called the mind. The mind included all conscience

thoughts, decisions and feelings.

The outermost circle was the body where all the behavior took place. Spirituality

starts at the center and works its way out. It is the body, mind, and soul, hence the

admonishment to love God with all your heart (the very core of your being), your total

mind (the most accessible part of your conscious life) and all your strength: (The
Running head: “The Bible the Source of Motivation Writing Assignment 5

behavior that flows from the heart and mind) and the one that intertwines with

motivation.

Ancient Greek was not too different, especially the dialect of Koine Greek spoken

in Israel and where most of the New Testament was written. So in the bible, the word

heart included all the facets of conscious process of intent, thought and feeling but at a

level so deep it is ultimate and less accessible. It does not mean "emotions" they way we

use the term we use today. One can learn a lot from the Bible and appreciate the endless

opportunities of motivation and from where else the greatest book ever written the Bible.
Running head: “The Bible the Source of Motivation Writing Assignment 6

References

New American Standard Bible

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/259274_10-bible-verses-for-
motivation#ixzz13OdRjyS1
1. www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible
.../19725 - Cached
Running head: “The Bible the Source of Motivation Writing Assignment 7

10 Bible Verses for Motivation

#1 Motivational Bible Verse

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world
you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

# 2 Bible Verse for Motivation

Philippians 2:13

For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

#3 Bible Verse for Motivation

Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD
your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."

#4 Bible Verse for Motivation

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;

#5 Bible Verse for Motivation

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

#6 Bible Verse for Motivation

Isaiah 40:31

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with
wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become
weary.
Running head: “The Bible the Source of Motivation Writing Assignment 8

#7 Motivational Bible Verse

Hebrews 13:5

Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you
have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake
you,"

#8 Bible Verse for Motivation

Luke 12:29-30

"And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep
worrying.”For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your
Father knows that you need these things.

#9 Motivational Bible Verse

Psalm 37:23-24

The steps of a man are established by the LORD; and He delights in his way.
When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the LORD is the One
who holds his hand.

#10 Bible Verse for Motivation

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them

I pray that these motivational Bible Verses spoke to your heart at a time that you
needed them. Please add any other Bible Verses to the comments.
Running head: “The Bible the Source of Motivation Writing Assignment 9