Motivation: Intimidation vs. Inspiration

Intimidation and inspiration are not the same thing, though they can both work as motivation.

First things first- let’s define these words so we know what we’re talking about. 

Intimidation:
1. To make timid or fearful: frighten. 
2. To compel or deter by (or as if by) threats.

Inspiration:
1. The action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.
2. To fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.

Motivation:
1. The process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. 
2. The driving force behind human actions.

Let’s kick things off by talking about intimidation.
The word timid is in the middle of intimidation, and describes pretty accurately the state of nervousness caused by a particular person or situation. When I think of intimidation, I think of the mafia. However it happened, they gained power in their city or town (or country), and use that power to intimidate others- usually relating to business and money.

When we use intimidation to gain control over another, it is wrong. People who are in roles of authority have to be especially careful, because power automatically intimidates.

If you are in a position of power within the church, you are called not to control, but to serve with humility. There are those in Christian circles, though, who seem to believe the only way to lead the church is by a hook in their noses, or a figurative gun to their side, or pressuring the church to do what they want by scaring them into compliance.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 20:25-28 that those who wish to be great should not try to control everyone, but be a servant. He says there are those who don’t follow Him that would abuse their power, and His people are supposed to be different.

Matthew 20:25-28
(25) But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
(26) But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
(27) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
(28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

The word ‘dominion’ in verse 25 means to control or subjugate (which means to bring under complete control or subjection; conquer; enslave). The phrase ‘exercise authority’ in that same verse means to have full privilege over. Jesus says this is NOT how we are supposed to lead others. We don’t act like dictators, we don’t lead by threats and power. We are to be servants just as He was.

And then He proves His point by stopping what He was doing, and healing two blind men who were crying out to Him in the midst of the crowd on the way to Jerusalem. When the crowd tried to shush them, Jesus reached out with compassion, asked them what they wanted Him to do, and then performed a miracle to heal them.

It has been my observation that people who use intimidation to motivate freely dole out advice. And they do it in ways that make people immediately feel guilty and conspicuous. For example, if a woman visitor is wearing pants to their church (and happens to be the only one doing so) but the pastor believes women shouldn’t ever wear pants, they will mention from the pulpit, a ‘friendly reminder’ that women are supposed to wear dresses and skirts when they come to God’s house, and dress like women. 

Or if they see someone taking notes in their Bible margins they will throw out the ‘Now, I don’t take notes in my Bible, because I have nothing to add to the Word of God. Everyone should get themselves a notebook to keep with them to take notes in, and not write in their Bible.’

Or they will share before the congregation personal information wrapped in an ‘anecdote’ from their weekly counseling that has the couple referenced cringing in their pew. Or perhaps they address someone’s eating habits, or make a judgment on someone’s spending habits- never in generalizations, mind you, but in obvious and pointed advice (directed to all), but at the expense of a specific person.

Or perhaps they see or hear of something a person in their congregation has done that they don’t like (don’t these kinds of leaders seem to have eyes and ears everywhere?), and instead of asking clarifying questions to understand the situation, they send a text full of accusatory scripture that intimidates, and tries to scare the recipient into confessing something.

And because it comes from a voice of authority, or from a place of confidence, it sounds like wisdom. And we usually equate that with being godly. But things that seem wise are not always godly. Not all wisdom is godly- did you know that? People who lead with fear and intimidation are certainly not using godly wisdom.

James 3:13-18
(13) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
(14) But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
(15) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
(16) For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
(17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
(18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Intimidation is not gentle. It does not come from meekness of wisdom. Intimidation uses information about people to manipulate them into compliance. There is no mercy there, or good fruits. It confuses people, because they read about Jesus in the Bible one way, and see Him represented from the pulpit a different way. Intimidation is certainly not impartial, or non-hypocritical, or easy to be entreated. Intimidation is unquestionable. It does not make peace, so cannot bear the fruit of righteousness.

Even in Jesus’ time there were those in leadership who believed in Him, but would not openly follow Him, because they didn’t want to be kicked out of the synagogue.

John 12:42-43
(42) Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
(43) For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

It is hard to break away from the praise of those who use intimidation to motivate. They make you feel superior to others by praising your compliance, while at the same time deriding those who will not obey them. This is what was happening in Jesus’ time. The leaders of the Jews were speaking out against Jesus, and punishing everyone who believed on Him by kicking them out of the place of worship. Love of praise from men will always prevent our service to the Lord.

Though the words of these intimidators may sound good and right (and sometimes their words are right), the delivery is often far from the way our Savior reaches out to us. They intimidate and use fear, but Jesus tells us many times in scripture not to be afraid:
Matthew 14:26, 27; Matthew 17:6-7; Matthew 28:5-10; Mark 6:50; Luke 12:4-5; John 14:26-27; Acts 18:9-11

Jesus did not have a ministry of intimidation. Rather, He used inspiration to motivate people. He became a servant of all, and died an agonizing and shameful death as the ultimate sacrifice so that we might be reconciled to God. It is the goodness, not the harshness of God, that leads us to repentance! He doesn’t intimidate us to Heaven. He gave His life for us so that we might join Him there by grace through faith. It was the greatest gift given in humility.

Romans 2:4 “…not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

We should not fear people, even pastors who have authority over us:
Psalm 118:6– The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Acts 5:29– Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 
Prov. 29:25– The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. 
Psalm 56:11–  In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Isaiah 12:2– Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

We are safe in Jesus. We should have no fear, because He loves us. He is on our side. We can trust Him implicitly. He inspires us to song! He is our strength and salvation.

Can you see the difference? There are other pointed differences as well.

Intimidation requires no relationship. Instead of confronting a person one-on-one and taking the time required to get to know someone before confronting a sin or other issue, the person in authority will address things publicly and harshly. They aren’t interested in inspiring anyone to righteousness, they just want people to comply.

Many times they don’t leave room for the Holy Spirit to work because they address everything indirectly from the pulpit. They often “lay down the law” and micromanage instead of praying and letting the Holy Spirit work in the lives of people. They know way too much about everyone’s personal lives, and no one makes decisions (even about buying a car or a house!) without getting approval from the pastor. (Yes I have known ministries like this!)

It seems to me that those who use intimidation and fear to motivate are actually speaking from a place of fear themselves. They are afraid to lose control. Because what if God got in there and starting moving in the lives of people, and things began to change? What if their way isn’t actually God’s way? What if people found freedom in serving Christ that’s different from the way they do it?

Inspiration is so different. It requires relationship, because you want to know what will positively motivate the hearer. You aren’t simply looking for compliance, but for people to hear from God themselves, and obey what He tells them.

Inspiration motivates through love, example, and encouragement. It does not tear down. It does not pressure people with fear. It is motivated by so much love for the Savior that it overflows into love for others.

Galatians 6:9, 10
(9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
(10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

We are to do good to all people, but especially those within the family of God. And inspiration fits the criteria of doing good. Intimidation notsomuch.

Thinking about intimidation vs inspiration: Which of these things will give a person the ability to persist through obstacles, and the endurance to keep going in spite of difficulties?

Fear and intimidation can only push you so far. At some point you’ll weigh your options, and wonder if it’s worth it. And many times when it comes to intimidation and fear, you’ll feel it isn’t, because you’re exhausted.

Lets work hard not to be people who use intimidation to motivate, but rather inspiration- because that’s what Jesus has done for us.