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How to Avoid the Wrong Kind of Motivation

At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babyloniaand settled there. They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” But the LORD came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.” In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the LORD confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world. Genesis 11:1-9 NLT

Never settle for anything less than what God wants

As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babyloniaand settled there. Genesis 11:2 NLT

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Genesis 2:15 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

The natural movement of Humanity is away from God and His plan

Don’t try to be famous, try to be faithful

Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous…” Genesis 11:4 NLT

Famous People Have

Faithful People Have

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4 NLT

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves…” Genesis 11:4 ESV

Listen to God and ignore people who ignore Him

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:1-3 NLT

Remember, in the end God always wins

That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the LORD confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world. Genesis 11:9 NLT

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Psalm 1:1-4 ESV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find some space where you can pause and be quiet before God. As you do, take a few deep breaths and prayerfully release everything to him - your responsibilities, your passions, your burdens. Ask him to show you those areas in your life where you are walking towards him, as well as other areas in your life where you might be walking away from him. Confess those areas where you walk against his will, and ask God to change your heart - that you would delight in following him in everything you do. Return back to the areas where you are pursuing God, and ask him for more moments like those. Ask God for a disciplined mind to focus on God’s path, as well as a heart filled with his spirit. Close your time by thanking him for all that he has done for you.

Discussion Questions

  1. When was the last time you can remember being really motivated toward something that wasn’t good for you and what did you learn as a result?
  2. Read Ecclesiastes 4:4. What are some of the things you do to check your motives when it comes to the things you do in service to God?
  3. Read Jeremiah 29:11. If we know that God has good plans for us, why do you think that we sometimes settle for less than God’s best for us?
  4. In the message this weekend, Pastor Matt said that, “The natural movement of Humanity is away from God and His plan.” In what ways has this played out in your own life?
  5. What are some of the best things that you do to stay connected with God to fight this natural drift?
  6. What things do you need to stop or start doing to stop your natural movement away from Him?