WHAT DE-MOTIVATES PEOPLE?

WHAT  DE-MOTIVATES  PEOPLE?
Motivate – To encourage.  De-motivate – To discourage

Certain behavior patterns can be de-motivating.  We sometimes behave in these ways without realizing the negative influences they have on others.

DON’T BELITTLE PEOPLE  - To make someone feel less important. Ministers must have an air about themselves- a distinctive quality in somebody’s appearance or manner[1]  don’t CAP on the members it is not graceful…Let your speech be SEASONED with salt.   Phil 2:3- Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem (honor) other better than themselves.  (Give honor to others more so then to yourself)


   Vain glory – Let nothing be done through Vain Glory.  Whatever we do for the Lord let us not do it with a spirit seeking fame, admiration, distinction or praises.  TO GOD BE THE GLORY.  Don’t do anything for the Lord if your motive is to seek the glory that comes from men. James 4:10-Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
     If you press your way to church with a negative spirit or you may not be feeling good in your body, please do not place yourself on the pulpit as a representative of God, unless you are ready to serve God despite your disposition or situation.  You can demotivate people with the wrong spirit on the pulpit. Psalms 122:1 – I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord.  1 Thessalonians  – Quench Not the Spirit.  (Yes it quenches the Lord when we come into his house with a contrary spirit-it is a sign of flesh on parade and human weakness).  Ps 100:4 – Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name. Yes…we are human beings and we are not always UP, however, we are yet Ministers of the MOST HIGH, we must portray the spirit of Habakkuk – Hab 3:17

Note:  If you are on the pulpit for any other reason then to EXALT Jesus Christ and to do the work of an Evangelist then your presence is VAIN and unacceptable to God.  Your presence on the pulpit is to glorify God, preach or teach the gospel and to assist the pastor and elder with a variety of ministerial tasks. Ro 15:6 – that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  If you are not ready to function as a minister when called upon  then you are not ripe for the multiple tasks of the PULPIT.  Romans 12:7 –Let us wait on our ministering.

DON’T MANIPULATE PEOPLE–No one likes to feel used.  Manipulation, no matter how slight, tears down the walls of trust in a relationship.  We gain more by being honest and transparent than we do by being cunning and crafty.  Build people up through affirmation and encouragement, and they will be motivated and loyal.  I am not saying to encourage their weaknesses—look beyond their weakness and see a man or woman of godly worth for the future.  Note:  Don’t use people for your glory.  YOU GIVE GOD THE GLORY AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.  

     Manipulate - control somebody or something deviously: to control or influence somebody or something in a devious way or to falsify something: to change or present something in a way that is false but personally advantageous[2] THERE IS A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANIPULATION AND MOTIVATION:  MANIPULATION IS MOVING TOGETHER FOR MY ADVANTAGE.  MOTIVATION IS MOVING TOGETHER FOR MUTUAL ADVANTAGE.  

DON’T BE INSENSITIVE – Make people your priority.  Take time to know and care about them.  This means being responsive in conversation, never appearing preoccupied with self or in a hurry.  Stop talking and develop the art of really listening.  Quit thinking of what you will say next, and begin to hear, not only what they say, but how they feel.  Your interest in even insignificant matters will demonstrate your sensitivity.  1 Thessalonians 2: 7-8 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse (mother) cherisheth her children.  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.  James  – Let every one be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.   It is alright to be sensitive towards people but DON’T be taken advantage of . Sensitive is being - tactful and sympathetic in relation to the feelings of others[3]  Tactful
- characterized by tact: having or showing concern about upsetting or offending people[4]

Note:  It is not  tactful to minister to another church teachings contrary to what THEY BELIEVE. This can cause confusion and God is not the author of confusion.  Also teachings contrary to church doctrine demotivates  persons.   Acts  – Then Peter said, repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  (Most apostolics are JESUS ONLY).  Romans  – Hast thou faith, have it to thyself  before God.

         DON’T FOLLOW DISOBEDIENCE – Minister’s Meeting.  When called upon to speak stay within the time zone that you were given without going beyond your time despite what everyone else is doing .  Romans  – Let not your good be evil spoken of.  If you have to practice preaching for three minutes at your home – DO IT. It is embarrassing for your pastor to watch someone pull your coat tail. “Naughty-Naughty”.

DON’T DISCOURAGE PERSONAL GROWTH – Growth is motivating.  Encourage the believers to stretch.  Give them opportunities to try new things and acquire new skills.  We should not feel threatened by the achievements of others, but should be very supportive of their successes.  As Pastor I must allow the believers to succeed and fail.  Build team spirit that says, if you grow, we all benefit.  WHAT IS FAILURE – Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.  Romans 15: 1- We then that are strong ought to  bear the infirmities of the weak  and not to please ourselves.  We that are strong should put up to a certain degree the weaknesses of others and not for our glory, but to the glory of God for the saving and strengthening of a soul.  If your brother is healed by your ministry you don’t have to blow the trumpet about how YOU did this or that, just GIVE GOD THE GLORY!  You are not the healer, God is.  We are instruments that the Power of God uses to transmit his divine energies to bless us and the lives of others.





[1]Encarta® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

[2]Encarta® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

[3]Encarta® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

[4]Encarta® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
Sharon Therese Spencer

Edited 7/5/2004 4:05 pm ET by Downtoearth (pastorsts)