Motivational Bible Verses

These motivational bible verses will challenge you. I say that up front so you know what you are getting into before you start reading. If you are looking for a softer approach, try Encouraging Bible Verses or Inspirational bible Verses.

But if you really want motivational bible verses, these are for you.

As is the case with most pages on this site, I interject my thoughts after some verses to help those who are looking for motivational bible verses for their own or group study. My words are in italics to try and prevent confusion. If you’re looking for motivational bible verses for a greeting card or some other simple application, just ignore everything in italics.

Motivational Bible Verses from Moses and Joshua

Editor’s Note: This is God’s commission to Joshua just before Israel crossed into the promised land. We too are commissioned to “expand” a Kingdom. Matthew 28:18-20 instructs us to go into the entire world inviting people into Christ’s Kingdom. We need to remember God’s counsel to Joshua and take confidence from his promise.

Joshua 24:15
Choose you this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (KJV)

Motivational Bible Verses from Proverbs and Psalms

Psalm 24:1-6
The Lord owns the earth and all it contains,
the world and all who live in it.

For he set its foundation upon the seas,
and established it upon the ocean currents.

Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?

The one whose deeds are blameless
and whose motives are pure,
who does not lie,
or make promises with no intention of keeping them.

Such godly people are rewarded by the Lord,
and vindicated by the God who delivers them.

Such purity characterizes the people who seek his favor,
Jacob’s descendants, who pray to him. (NET)

Motivational Bible Verses from the Gospels

Then Levi gave a great banquet in his house for Jesus, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. But the Pharisees and their experts in the law complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “Those who are well don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (NET)

Editor’s Note: Two things stand out to me in these motivational bible verses. First, Matthew was a wealthy man, but when Jesus called him, he got up, followed him, and left everything. Second, Jesus sought out, ate with, and lived with people considered the most morally corrupt of his society (tax collectors).

John 15:1-8
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.

You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples. (NET)

Motivational Bible Verses from the NT Letters

Editor’s Note: The context of this verse is telling us that Paul had found the secret to being content in whatever financial situation he’s in. We should be cautious about applying this verse in too many situations.

Ephesians 4:1-3
I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (NET)

Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. (NET)

1 Peter 3:14-17
But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not be terrified of them or be shaken. But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil. (NET)

Editor’s Note: This motivational bible verse suggests that, though it won’t happen to everyone, suffering for doing what is right is a possibility. But even when then happens, we are to respond 1) without fear, 2) ready to share the gospel, and 3) with “courtesy and respect” so that if our voices aren’t heard our behavior will be.

Were you looking for more inspirational bible verses rather than motivational bible verses? Try these.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved. www.bible.org.