“Can motivational speaking be tied to Christianity?”

March 2022 – Grace & Truth Magazine

QUESTION: Is there a value to listening to motivational speakers? Can motivational speaking be tied with Christianity?

ANSWER: What does a motivational speaker seek to motivate his audience to do? The object of many is to inspire those they address to have confidence in themselves, that they can accomplish great things, overcome obstacles, and be highly successful. This sounds good, but is it truly good? Is this what God is looking for from those who have trusted His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ?

What should a Christian’s purpose be? Is it success in life? Does it consist of a high position in business, a profession or politics? Scripture sets a different goal before the believer. God gave the prophet Jeremiah a message for Baruch, the scribe who had earlier recorded and publicly read Jeremiah’s prophecies: “‘Do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,’ says the Lord” (Jer. 45:5 NKJV). Our Lord Jesus asked a tremendously searching question in relation to this: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mk. 8:36).

Not only does our Lord tell us this, He also sets Himself as the example. “Christ Jesus … being in the form of God … made Himself of no reputation … humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8). When tempted by Satan to demonstrate the greatness of His person and power, He absolutely refused to do so (Mt. 4:1-10). His half-brothers taunted Him, saying, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world” (Jn. 7:3-4). The miracles the Lord did were never for His own personal gain; they were always to benefit others and to glorify God.

The apostle Paul was a powerful “motivational speaker,” to inspire and challenge us to be what God wants us to be. Listen to what he told the Philippians: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain … I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus … I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 1:21, 3:14, 4:13).

A motivational speaker like this, who emphasizes what a Christian can become or can do “through Christ,” is rare in this world. The world’s acclaimed motivational speakers will never tell you, “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil that I will not to do, that I practice” (Rom. 7:18-19). Nor do they give the answer to this problem, which we find in reading the next chapter in Romans.

Our motivation as Christians is higher than attaining greatness in the world. It is found repeatedly in God’s Word. Colossians 3:23-24 is an excellent example: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Also 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

In closing let me include an inspiring incident from a biography of William Kelly (1821–1906), whom we appreciate to this day for his sound, clear Bible teaching. At age 20, Kelly graduated with highest classical language honors from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Warmly congratulating him on his scholastic brilliance, the principal of the college offered him a position on the college staff, indicating that if he accepted, he would make his fortune in the world. “Which world, sir?” was Kelly’s reply. For which world are most of today’s motivational speakers seeking to motivate us?

Answered by Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.