Provoke One Another

Provoke One Another (Hebrews 10:24)

Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works…”

Sometimes we have a tendency to waver in our faith; that’s why we need a local church. In this world we will be hurt, be taken advantage of, and abused etc. As believers gather together for church, we are to consider how to provoke each other unto love and to good works. The word provoke is not used on the evil sense of provoking one to anger or to incite a riot or violence (Galatians 5:26). Galatians 5:26, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Instead, this provoking is in the good sense of persuading and stirring up another to love and to do good works. Regardless of Satan’s schemes, we are to set our minds on others to influence them by our actions to do right. Our focus upon one another has a purpose. We are to provoke one another. The word provoke means to spur, to stir up, to stimulate strongly, to sharpen.

1. Consideration: “to stimulate strongly”
Today our world is filled with selfishness as if everything revolves around us. The fleshly-old nature thinks about self-first but that is not the way that Spirit-filled Christians think and act. We can provoke others by our example of practicing love and good works toward them. We can bring out the best in people by doing our best for them. A good way to move people to action is to be an example of Jesus and what He would want them to do. One example of what makes our church Christ-like is that we consider or think about others (Philippians 2:3-4). Philippians 2:3-4, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

2. Compassion: “to stir up”.
Compassion will lead the Spirit-filled believer to stir others up to action. With a compassionate spirit, believers can be a positive example and encourage others with our words. Stir up their affection. We need to keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 21-22). Jude 21-22, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference.” It’s because we care that we want to do all we can to encourage them to love God with all their heart (Mark 12:30). Mark 12:30, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Stir up their action. We need to do good works and encourage others to get involved also. By setting the right example and offering to work together with them, we can be a great help in motivating other Christians. Sometimes we get discouraged, get our eyes off God, and get derailed; we need a helping hand to get back on the right track. Why are we instructed to exhort and to give attention to one another? To make sure none of us are slacking to stir one another to love and to do good works. It is not a dead faith. It is a faith that stirs us to action, that stirs us to live, truly live, live in love and good works. To stir up a fellow believer is a conscience and intense action. Good works and love are expected of all believers (Ephesians 2:10). Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. We have the potential to be a catalyst for one another so that all can demonstrate love and good works towards
others. Our challenge is to stir one another up to love and to do good. The idea is that we are to encourage others unto love and good works. That is what we are to do with one another. We are to stir one another to burn brightly for Christ. Our ministry with one another and our church is to challenge and stimulate one another to Christlikeness, to love God, to love people, do good works that will glorify Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

3. Commitment: “to spur”.
To spur describes the rider of a horse that spurs it to get up and go. It is important to attend services and to support the church in her outreach programs. Today, less and less people go to church. When people stop attending church, they make a conscious decision to do so. They let other things take that priority, and for many, their love will grow cold and they’ll becomes calloused toward the things of God. This is another reason why every believer needs to be faithful to their home church. The idea is to lovingly call out and challenge one another to love and do good. Mutual accountability is about sharing with each other how we’re doing, but it’s also provoking each other to do better. Sometimes this happens spontaneously, but usually, if we want to effectively stir one another up, or challenge a brother or sister to step up their Christian walk, we ought to prayerfully consider how best to do it.

4. Courage: “to sharpen”.
Provoke carries the thought "to sharpen." It has the idea of encouraging a particular action. Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” They were actually expected to play an active part in the maturity and witness of fellow believers. Their influence would sharpen others, encouraging and helping shape them for the Lord. I think we would all agree that is much needed in our day! We need those, especially mature believers, who will take an active part in the lives of others. Our lives will influence those around us. We have an opportunity to make a positive, spiritual difference! Aren't you glad someone took time for you when you were first saved? We need boldness to warn and encourage others. As the time of the Lord's coming draws closer, we need a sense of urgency now more than ever. We need to invite the unsaved and the saved to church and sit with them in church. Do everything you can to encourage people to serve God and warn the lost about the wrath to come. What makes our church a Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, strong, supporting, soul-stirring church? We love and provoke one another to doing good works. This simply means we are considerate of one another, we show concern for one another, we meet one another's needs, we strengthen one another's weaknesses, we help one another through every trial and temptation.

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