How
did your last week’s challenge/life application go? Did you give honor to those
in high rank i.e. every believer? Was it difficult? I’d love for you to share
about that in the comments or email me privately.
did your last week’s challenge/life application go? Did you give honor to those
in high rank i.e. every believer? Was it difficult? I’d love for you to share
about that in the comments or email me privately.
This
week, we’re moving on. With two challenges under our belt, it’s time to step it
up. Literally. But if you’d like to catch up:
week, we’re moving on. With two challenges under our belt, it’s time to step it
up. Literally. But if you’d like to catch up:
Keep it Humble Part 3
Let’s
look at Romans 12:11 “…not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord;” NKJV
look at Romans 12:11 “…not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord;” NKJV
The
verse before that is about showing genuine affection to our brothers and
sisters in Christ.
verse before that is about showing genuine affection to our brothers and
sisters in Christ.
I
want to look at this verse in the KJV because I like the wording. Here it is:
want to look at this verse in the KJV because I like the wording. Here it is:
“Not
slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”
slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”
How
does this apply to us in the context of humility, in keeping it classy i.e.
humble?
does this apply to us in the context of humility, in keeping it classy i.e.
humble?
Let’s
break down the words in the Greek and then put them together for richer meaning
and application:
break down the words in the Greek and then put them together for richer meaning
and application:
Look
at the Greek word for slothful. Oknēros. It means, sluggish,
slothful, backward. Oknēros comes from the root word: okneō to
delay, hesitate
at the Greek word for slothful. Oknēros. It means, sluggish,
slothful, backward. Oknēros comes from the root word: okneō to
delay, hesitate
The
Bible has several things to say about being sluggish and slothful. Let’s peek
at just a few scriptures.
Bible has several things to say about being sluggish and slothful. Let’s peek
at just a few scriptures.
“And
they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land,
and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful
to go, and to enter to possess the land.” Judges 18:9
they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land,
and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful
to go, and to enter to possess the land.” Judges 18:9
This
verse comes right off the end of the twelve spies getting a good look at the
land God promised to them. Promised Land. It was a place that flowed with
abundance and it was a gift God wanted them to have. They had work to do to get
it. They had to partner with God. Trust Him to go before and fight their
battles, but they were going to have to do a little sword raising themselves. We too have to raise our swords–the Word of God–to fight, but Jesus Christ has
gone before us!
verse comes right off the end of the twelve spies getting a good look at the
land God promised to them. Promised Land. It was a place that flowed with
abundance and it was a gift God wanted them to have. They had work to do to get
it. They had to partner with God. Trust Him to go before and fight their
battles, but they were going to have to do a little sword raising themselves. We too have to raise our swords–the Word of God–to fight, but Jesus Christ has
gone before us!
Only
two out of the twelve wanted to go in. Joshua and Caleb. “Let us not
hesitate! Let us not delay! Let us not move backward, but go in and take what
rightfully belongs to us.”
two out of the twelve wanted to go in. Joshua and Caleb. “Let us not
hesitate! Let us not delay! Let us not move backward, but go in and take what
rightfully belongs to us.”
You
and I have “land” to possess. Dreams to fulfill. Promises given to us
by God. Family members who need saved, reconciliation, freedom from sin,
weakness and addictions. Don’t delay. Don’t hesitate! Go in. Raise your
“sword” and possess what God has already given. ALREADY.
and I have “land” to possess. Dreams to fulfill. Promises given to us
by God. Family members who need saved, reconciliation, freedom from sin,
weakness and addictions. Don’t delay. Don’t hesitate! Go in. Raise your
“sword” and possess what God has already given. ALREADY.
But
what does that word business mean? In the KJV, the word is diligence.
Not lagging in diligence.
what does that word business mean? In the KJV, the word is diligence.
Not lagging in diligence.
That word (business/diligence) in the Greek is
spoudē and it means earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or
striving after anything; to give all diligence, interest one’s self most
earnestly
spoudē and it means earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or
striving after anything; to give all diligence, interest one’s self most
earnestly
It
comes from the root word speudō which is probably strengthened by this
Greek word: pous, pronounced pooce, meaning a foot, both of men or
beast; often in the orient, one put his foot on vanquished; of disciples
listening to their teacher’s instruction are said to be at his feet
comes from the root word speudō which is probably strengthened by this
Greek word: pous, pronounced pooce, meaning a foot, both of men or
beast; often in the orient, one put his foot on vanquished; of disciples
listening to their teacher’s instruction are said to be at his feet
The
minute I read this phonetically and read the definition, I made a connection.
Have you?
minute I read this phonetically and read the definition, I made a connection.
Have you?
In
essence, Stop pussy-footing around!
essence, Stop pussy-footing around!
| Donna Pyle, I think this is your cat! For real. |
The definition of pussyfoot is “to
refrain from committing oneself; to avoid making a definite decision or stating
a definite opinion because of fear, doubt, etc.
refrain from committing oneself; to avoid making a definite decision or stating
a definite opinion because of fear, doubt, etc.
Isn’t
that exactly what the Israelites did? Pussyfooted around and never got to see
their Promised Land, never had the chance to live out the God-given promise.
Fear. Doubt. Uh, yeah, giants lived in the land. But God is much bigger than a
giant. And He had already promised them. He is faithful to keep His word.
that exactly what the Israelites did? Pussyfooted around and never got to see
their Promised Land, never had the chance to live out the God-given promise.
Fear. Doubt. Uh, yeah, giants lived in the land. But God is much bigger than a
giant. And He had already promised them. He is faithful to keep His word.
How
often have you missed out on God’s promises and blessing because of
pussyfooting around?
often have you missed out on God’s promises and blessing because of
pussyfooting around?
Let’s
look at one more example of being slothful/sluggish and then we’ll connect it
to staying humble, if you haven’t already.
look at one more example of being slothful/sluggish and then we’ll connect it
to staying humble, if you haven’t already.
“By
much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of
the hands the house droppeth through.” Ecclesiastes 10:18 KJV
much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of
the hands the house droppeth through.” Ecclesiastes 10:18 KJV
Here
it is in an easier translation:
it is in an easier translation:
“Because
of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands
the house leaks.” NKJV
of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands
the house leaks.” NKJV
Obviously if you don’t keep maintenance on
your home, it’s going to leak and decay.
your home, it’s going to leak and decay.
But
what about your spiritual home? “Or do you not know that your body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not
your own?” NKJV 1 Corinthians 6:19
what about your spiritual home? “Or do you not know that your body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not
your own?” NKJV 1 Corinthians 6:19
What
happens when you become slothful with that? Same thing. Prepare to decay and
leak if you aren’t caring daily for your home. Feed it. Part of maintaining a
healthy functioning home is renewing daily in the Word. We learn to imitate
Christ through His Word. We learn humility through knowing Him.
happens when you become slothful with that? Same thing. Prepare to decay and
leak if you aren’t caring daily for your home. Feed it. Part of maintaining a
healthy functioning home is renewing daily in the Word. We learn to imitate
Christ through His Word. We learn humility through knowing Him.
But
let’s go one step further and finish out Romans 12:11.
let’s go one step further and finish out Romans 12:11.
“…fervent
in spirit, serving the LORD.”
in spirit, serving the LORD.”
We’re
back to loving with zeal what is good. Remember the first part of this passage,
“abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” Fervent means to
love with zeal what is good and serving the LORD, it means in a good sense, to
yield obedience; to be a slave, serve, do service; devoted to another to the
disregard of one’s own interests
back to loving with zeal what is good. Remember the first part of this passage,
“abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” Fervent means to
love with zeal what is good and serving the LORD, it means in a good sense, to
yield obedience; to be a slave, serve, do service; devoted to another to the
disregard of one’s own interests
When
we, as His disciples, sit at His feet (studying His Word), bank on Him asking
us to serve. Sometimes, it may seem like too much. Too hard. Too exhausting.
Too big. Giant-sized. We may entertain the idea of pussyfooting around, thanks
to fear and doubt and etc.
we, as His disciples, sit at His feet (studying His Word), bank on Him asking
us to serve. Sometimes, it may seem like too much. Too hard. Too exhausting.
Too big. Giant-sized. We may entertain the idea of pussyfooting around, thanks
to fear and doubt and etc.
But
we are commanded to not be lazy, hesitant or to delay. We are to serve with
fervor–with zeal and love for what is good (and what God asks of us is always
good) and we are to serve the LORD in this manner. To yield to obedience,
devoted to Him and not our own interests. To think of others first.
we are commanded to not be lazy, hesitant or to delay. We are to serve with
fervor–with zeal and love for what is good (and what God asks of us is always
good) and we are to serve the LORD in this manner. To yield to obedience,
devoted to Him and not our own interests. To think of others first.
And
this, my friends, will humble us. The fact that God wants us to fulfill our
destinies–that He’s even mapped out a wonderful destiny for each of us alone
should drop us to our knees in humility–He wants us to do incredible things
for others. It’s humbling.
this, my friends, will humble us. The fact that God wants us to fulfill our
destinies–that He’s even mapped out a wonderful destiny for each of us alone
should drop us to our knees in humility–He wants us to do incredible things
for others. It’s humbling.
Love without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil and
cling to what is good. Give honor to those who have been bought with a price
and see them through the blood of Christ. And stop pussyfooting around, raise
your sword, slay giants. Don’t hesitate.
cling to what is good. Give honor to those who have been bought with a price
and see them through the blood of Christ. And stop pussyfooting around, raise
your sword, slay giants. Don’t hesitate.
Move
it! Move it!
it! Move it!
“Look,
the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the
Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be
discouraged.’” Deuteronomy 1:21
the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the
Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be
discouraged.’” Deuteronomy 1:21
“And
the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not
leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not
leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Life Application: This week I challenge you to find ways to serve in your local body, to serve another believer in Christ. And I challenge you to spend time daily in your Word, in order to maintain your spiritual home. If God has been nudging you to obey in a certain area…move it! This week! Today!
Prayer: God, we love you. We thank you for gracing us daily with the opportunity to sit merciful at your feet to learn, to be filled with Holy Spirit as we search your treasure trove of scriptures and as he guides us into all truth. It is a privelege to daily serve you. Give us the strength, help us to cast off all fear and doubt–to settle into the peace of knowing that you go before us. You are faithful to accomplish everything that concerns us. You never leave us or forsake us. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. May our hands never be idle, never lazy. But alert. Full of zeal, passion, and gratitude. And may we be humbled as we serve you wholly. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Why
do you think serving others promotes humility?
do you think serving others promotes humility?
PS I’m over at the amazing Married…with fiction blog today talking about my critiquing services and common mistakes I see. Come on over and say hi! And if you need someone to partner with you, see my critiquing/editing page!
I don't have much to say b/c you gave me so much to think about, I'm still working it through my heart. Great morning devo, Jess. Definitely a challenge issued. We'll see how I do this week:)
That does look like Donna Pyle's kitty! Ha!!
Great stuff here. I did not shirk in serving this week, and that feels good! One thing that was a challenge–keeping my tween on track with his catechism homework. Being diligent as a parent is how I'm fighting the sloth!
Your devos always prick my heart! You force me to self-examine areas that I can always improve upon. 🙂
Since procrastination and laziness go hand-in-hand I think I'm terribly guilty at times!
And in answer to your question, I think serving others promotes humility because it forces us to take our eyes off our own self-importance and focus on truly meeting the needs of others FIRST. Rarely is it easy, and maybe not so fun sometimes, but God always blesses our efforts!
Wow, huge challenge in here today, Jess. Pondering. 🙂 Love your wisdom, as always.
Awww, my kitty cat! Well, not really, but really close! I love your challenge here, Jess, because I often lag in diligence. Some days I wonder how much more I could accomplish with what God has provided if I would move forward with diligence. Cynthia hit it on the head – procrastination and laziness is a killer. Thank God that God is God, full of love and grace. Yay!