Motivation

Human beings are complex creatures. One person can do the exact same thing that another person does ... for an entirely different reason. It's really interesting if you think about it. The problem, of course, is that the thing that is done, in God's opinion, isn't nearly as important as the motivation behind it. In the Old Testament, for instance, He turned up His nose at their burnt offerings when they did them for the wrong reason even though burnt offerings were part of His commands to Israel.

One of the interesting things I've seen is the debates that go on among various groups of believers. It doesn't seem to matter what the debate is about. In most cases you will find those who are debating the issue at hand because they are deeply concerned about defending God's glory or the truth or an important matter. Then you will find those who are debating the issue because they aren't actually sure of where they stand. One of our standard responses to being challenged when we're not sure is a sharp defense rather than laying down our arms, so to speak, and examining the question. You will also find those with purely ulterior motives in these debates. They reason, maybe not even consciously, that if A is true, then that would mean that B is true. If B is true, then they would have to change. The argument about A is the issue at hand, but their primary concern is B. And far too often you'll find people arguing about issues because they don't want to surrender. They don't want to give in because it will damage their pride. They don't want to give in because it is an admission that they are wrong. They don't want to give in because they would have to change ... a viewpoint or an activity or maybe even a lifestyle.

Of course, deciding which motivation is at work in the debate at hand with the participants at hand is often difficult. There are clues. Does someone parrot old arguments long since answered? It is likely that they aren't as sure about their position as you might think because they haven't thought it through for themselves. Are there moral issues involved? That might suggest that "I don't want to change", so they defend their right to do the questionably immoral activity by questioning its immoral status. But, likely, it's best not to try to divine motivations. We just don't know. Frankly, it is often the case that some people don't know their own motivation. It's just difficult to figure out, even for ourselves.

So here's the deal. You have to ask yourself because I'm not going to be able to figure it out for you. In the areas with which you debate with people of differing views, are you debating because you have a burning desire to stand for God and His glory? When you differ from "orthodoxy", do you differ because you have been convinced against your will that this is the truth, or are you differing because of other reasons? As an example, the Church has held for centuries that homosexual behavior is sin. To those who argue against that, are you arguing because the arguments are so compelling that you can conclude no other? Humans have a tendency to desire "freedom," by which I mean "no restraints." We don't want to be told what to do, especially when it's something we want to do. We will explain away all sorts of things to allow us to operate without constraints. It's called "sin nature." If you're thinking, even in the back of your head, you know, not quite at the conscious level, that you shouldn't have to do all that much to be a Christian, maybe it's time to reconsider. It is not possible to "do too much for God." Maybe you're taking a position contrary to orthodoxy because you aren't really in the mood to submit to God. That's not a wise position.

But, like I said, I'm not going to be able to figure it out for you. Ask yourself.