I have often preached sermons using a teaching device I call “push versus pull” (push-pull). The concept is simple. Suppose an object needs to travel from point A to point B. In the push-pull framework, that object can either be pushed away from point A towards point B, where the force is behind the object, or it can be pulled towards point B from point A, where the force originates in front of the object. The movement is the same, and the result may be identical, but the force motivating the movement is drastically different. I like to use this framework to describe human beings and their own motivation.
Contrary to popular belief, the end doesn’t justify the means. According to God’s Word, a person’s motivation matters even more than what they achieve in this world. God considers a person’s heart (their motivation) as paramount. Can/does God use evil for good? Yes (e.g., Genesis 50:20), but that’s never our business, so we cannot justify an outcome if we get there with wrong motives.
For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.
– 1 Samuel 16:7b
You might ask, “Well, how do I know for sure if God’s pleased with my motivation?” The answer is simple – get to know your Bible! We have a perfect set of instructions laid bare before us. All we need to do is take advantage of it by learning them!
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
– Hebrews 4:12-13
Now, let’s consider a practical example as it pertains to push-pull. Think about a time when you were a kid, and your parents (or an authority figure) asked you to perform a chore or a duty. If you were self-absorbed and cared only about how obedience meant some loss of selfish time or energy (e.g., less play time), then chances are that you needed a healthy push to get it done. You didn’t see any immediate value for your selfish needs, so you did it with poor motivation. But if you truly wanted to please your parents because you loved them dearly and understood that helping them meant expressing your love through action, you’d be drawn to obedience with good motivation.
The best kind of motivation is when you are pulled towards an outcome out of love for others. This type of motivation pleases God.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
– Philippians 2:1-4
As I’ve taught for years from behind my pulpit, it’s much better to be pulled towards an outcome than pushed. If God wants you to do something even with poor motivation, you can bet there will be a healthy push (a good, solid kick in the butt is often what we need) – we call that divine discipline – however, what He’s really looking for is a heart filled with love that pulls you towards what He wills. Jesus gave a perfect example of this:
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
– John 13:35
A person who looks good on the outside, but whose de facto motivation is characterized as a push, is like the religious Pharisees during Jesus’ time on Earth (ref: Matthew 23:27). In the worst cases, even their salvation is suspect because their only motivation for “believing in Jesus” (ref: spurious faith) is to avoid Hell (talk about a push). On the opposite end of the spectrum is the person who looks good on the inside (equipped with proper love), whose de facto motivation is characterized as a pull, which is pleasing to God.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
– Luke 18:9-14
My friend, in every aspect of life, it is better to be pulled than pushed. It is better to understand and embrace the value of the outcome (to God’s glory) than to be running away from potential discipline (for self-preservation). It is better that your love for others trumps your love for yourself. Above all, it is better to seek to be pleasing to the Lord than pleasing to oneself – that’s the best kind of motivation.
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins