by Boone Leigh, LPC
Many times in our lives the desire to change comes from the painful and negative consequences we face. While negative consequences do motivate us, they usually are not the best influencer for change, especially long term. If all you get are threats of punishment from either parents or a spouse for not doing what they want you to do, the outcome is usually not a great relationship long term but rather bitterness, anger and ultimately rebellion.
Many people feel that the Bible is full of negative consequences to get us to behave and love God as we should. The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20 and repeated again in Deuteronomy chapter 5 are to some people a prime example of this. In fact, the Ten Commandments are even worded in a negative fashion, starting with the first commandment “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20: 3, English Standard Version)
I have been encouraged by greater theologians than I over the years to see not just the negative wording in the commandments (“Thou shalt not…”) but the the very clear positive commands that are at the heart of all of God’s commandments. In other words, if there is a “thou shalt not,” then what is the “thou shalt?” If I am not to worship false gods, then the clearly implied positive command is to be a worshipper of the one true God. In fact, I would state that you cannot truly understand the commandments of God unless you look at them in the positive. For instance, an atheist, who claims to worship no God, could not be looked at as being someone who obeys the first commandment.
Jesus, who is the true and best interpreter of the Bible, summed up the commandment in a positive way himself. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, he summed up the whole of the ten commandments into 2 positively worded commandments. In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus states “..You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
The point is this. Negative wording and consequences may motivate us short term but they are not the best way to change us. Think on the positive aspects for a longer and more accurate motivation. Love for God and love for man motivates us much more than just a fear of God and man. Remember our great motivation to repent (i.e. change) is not fear of hell (though that is appropriate) but a reminder of God’s goodness and mercy to those who trust in him. “…God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance[.]” (Romans 2:4b)
