The Psychology of Arousal

Definition: Arousal is a state of activation and readiness for action.

Arousal shows itself validated as genuine when there is action associated with it and when it is executed in the realm of time and reality. Arousal without an actionable end is simply emotional euphoria.

The Christian community is full of individuals that are emotionally charged by the Truth of God’s Word who will, unfortunately, never act upon that emotion beyond their own personal pietistic gratification. This type of emotional euphoria is useless except to the self-serving nature of the individual. It is an arousal which is fueled by the carnality of the fleshly mind which makes it antagonistic to the Spirit of God. It is not an arousal unto conviction of what needs to be done in light of the Truth, and therefore it does not conform to the definition given above.

Psychological Arousal: Theistic v Humanistic

There is a difference between carnal arousal and arousal for Kingdom building produced by the Preaching of God’s Truth. Whenever the Holy Spirit applies the faithfully preached Word of God to individuals, Theistic Christo-centric psychological arousal results. Its validation is action. When Christians are aroused by God’s intervention things get done. Strategies for cultural change are discussed, planned, and then executed. When aroused by God, Christians do things. They do not sit on the side lines of the culture war. Rather, they are right in its midst of it, getting things done. When God wakes up His people, not only are they ready to make a difference, they begin by actually making a difference. Their theology is actionable. It is applied, making it powerfully effective. Only then is Christianity real.

Kindle the Fire

The preaching of God’s Word, whether it is in the context of general discussion, market evangelism, or from the pulpit on the LORD’s Day, needs to excite those in attendance.  It needs to instill in them a passion for the Truth of God’s Word and a desire to see it manifested in the real world. There is however a grave distinction between carnal excitement and Biblical Excitement. By referring to excitement, I am not taking about the carnal excitement of the modern evangelical, self-help, ‘Name it Claim it’ prosperity type charlatans within the ranks of what is now called Christianity. I am taking about the excitement that comes only by the faithful preaching and application of Scripture where the Holy Spirit is intervening.

The purpose of declaring Scripture is not simply to relate knowledge to individuals. It is to kindle the fire of regeneration and reconstruction in the life of the individual and the world at large. God’s Word is meant to be actionable both upon the life of people and the structure of society. Its purpose is to move God’s people to conquer the land of Canaan and claim their rightful inheritance for the glory of God.

How?

How do we arouse God’s people to action? How do we make people care about God’s Law and His commission to teach all nations so that one day they will bow to the majesty of His Glory? How do we inspire others to move into the ranks of ‘Doers’ and not hearers only?

First: You cannot inspire others if you are not inspired yourself. Likewise, if you are not thinking in concrete actionable terms of strategies and tactics you cannot move others to think in those terms either.

Second: Be sincere. People are very astute when it comes to assessing others and whether or not they are sincere. If your passion is real, then it will be evident. If it is not, you will be found out, eventually.

Third: Don’t be afraid to be openly passionate about your desire to advance the Kingdom of Christ.

Most people are emotionally driven. Emotions drive people to action. Share your emotion with others who desire direction and a way to engage the culture. Don’t waste time on those that are apathetic. There are many who are already aroused, you simply need to network with them, plan your strategy and then execute it. Lead by example. Preach by getting things done.

Fourth: What you win people with you win people to. Do not try to entertain people, like so many modern churches do today. It is a losing, even damnable strategy. Those that are serious do not want to be entertained, they want to be moved. They want to be led. Some of them just want to be involved in concrete efforts to change the way things are to the way God has commanded them to be.  Look for those people when building your team of shakers and movers. Disregard the rest. Perhaps one day they will grasp the vision. Perhaps they will not and remain blind and ineffective in the battle. Nevertheless, you have a duty to perform. Get to it.

New Geneva is dedicated to the advancement of Christendom by teaching, challenging and mentoring those saints who desire to execute God’s Kingdom commission in time and in history for a complete and total cultural reconstruction to the Glory of God. www.newgeneva.us