Motivation to Spiritually Grow
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
Do we grow spiritually through Bible study, worship service, and prayer? Yes, all three help us to have a better understanding of our Lord: Worship helps us to be more like Christ, and prayer helps in building a personal relationship with our Lord. But do Bible reading, worship service, and prayer motivate us to grow spiritually? Do they put a fire in our spirits to serve the Lord? Actually we can do all three of these and never grow spiritually; instead, we may become complacent and satisfied with an inadequate spiritual life. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:15-16). A lukewarm Christian has little or no motivation for Spiritual growth.
Spiritual growth is the great desire to be close to the Lord and to go into the world to save lost souls. This motivation to save souls is stronger than Satan’s motivation to destroy souls. We have power over Satan and his demons, and we fight Satan by pointing lost souls to Christ. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). We have the power of God to fight Satan, but Satan wins if we refuse to go into the world and fight this spiritual war.
If you love me, keep my commands (John 14:15). It is our love for the Lord and our hatred of sin that motivates us to victory over Satan, because he is trying to destroy all souls, particularly those of Christians. We are in a Spiritual war and we are Christian soldiers on the winning side of our Lord, but only if we fight the spiritual war with all of our faith. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Deuteronomy 31:6).
God’s love in our hearts grows only when we reflect it to others with a mind and heart that can identify with Jesus. The love in our hearts grows for God and mankind. Christians are the only ones that have the Holy Spirit, and He enables us to go into the world and tell lost souls about the glorious Kingdom of God. A heart for God is motivated by a loving fire in the Spirit that fights Satan with all of God’s power to save lost souls.
Today fight this Spiritual war and know that you are fighting Satan, who is actively trying to destroy every soul that you are pointing to Christ. God’s love will grow in your heart as you fight Satan for lost souls who have been blinded by Satan’s lies. Spiritual growth will naturally occur as you fight this spiritual war, because your strength comes from the Word, prayer, and Christian fellowship.
Let’s Pray: Lord, give me the motivation and the love to fight for lost souls and to steal them away from Satan. Give me victory over Satan in every area of my life and in every opportunity for ministering to others. I pray for your strength, your wisdom, your courage, and your love to fight this spiritual war, as I grow closer to you every day. In Jesus name, Amen