Who are You Provoking?

Growing up, many of us had a certain sibling or friend whom we enjoyed “pressing their buttons” to get a desired reaction. Those who tended to over-react were often the most likely targets. Or perhaps you were one of the one’s who were often targeted in this way. An instigator always seems to know the right thing to say or do in order to produce a negative response. If you are a parent or teacher, you have no doubt seen this in your own children or students.

When we think of the word “provoke” it often bears a negative connotation. Almost every time this word is used in Scripture, it is indicative of an undesirable reaction from the Lord or from another person.

In the Old Testament this word is used thirty-three times and is mainly used in the context of the Israelites provoking God to anger or jealously. In the New Testament “provoke” is found nine times, and once again, it is used primarily in a negative sense.

According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, the word provoke means “to call into action, to arouse, to excite, to move, to incite, to stir-up.”

In Scripture we find a more positive use of this word in Hebrews 10:24. The writer of Hebrews instructs us to incite or provoke one another unto love and to good works.

Hebrews 10:24-25,

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Now, this does not give us license to annoy our fellow believers. (Although, I’m sure we all know someone who seems to have taken this verse that way).

God calls us to provoke our fellow believers to action in three areas:

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Provoke Unto Love

Hebrews 10:24,

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love…”

All of the Ten Commandments may well be encapsulated into two laws – loving God, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Jesus summarizes them in Mark 12:30-31:

“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. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

The best way to teach or to provoke others in any area is by first displaying the desired qualities in our own lives. You cannot teach others that which is not already characteristic of your own life. More is caught than is taught. 

Loving God

Do others see your apparent love for God displayed on a daily basis?

Is your relationship with God prioritized in your every day life?

Our relationship with God will be revealed by our priorities. Most of us don’t have a problem scheduling other priorities in our lives – i.e. sports practice/games, vacations, beauty salon appointments, meetings, etc. If we can plan our lives around certain activities, why can we not plan our lives around our daily relationship with God?

I believe, for most, the ideal time is in the morning. God should be given the best part of our day. If mornings are a struggle, then give God your best, whatever segment of the day that may be. And don’t be afraid to change this time with the varying seasons of life. 

The busier the season of life you are in, the greater your need will be for daily refreshment in the Word of God. Busyness is not an excuse for neglecting the most important relationship of all. If our relationship with God is out of sync, then every other relationship in our lives will suffer.

Loving Our Neighbors

Luke 10:29, “But he (the lawyer), willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” 

A man once came and asked Jesus “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus responded by telling him the parable of the Good Samaritan. You can find this story in Luke 10:25-37.

A Jew traveling along was attacked by a band of robbers and left for dead. Two religious leaders of his own race saw him, ignored him, and passed on. Leaving him to his own fate. However, along comes a Samaritan, a man hated by the Jews. This man having compassion, however, stops and helps his enemy. 

After telling this story, Jesus asked the lawyer, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?”

The lawyer responded, “He that shewed mercy on him.”

“Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

Loving our neighbor is not so much about loving our friends and family (although that is part of it), but more so about loving our enemies. Loving those who speak ill of us, those who offend us, and those who despitefully use and persecute us.

Matthew 5:43-44,

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” 

When I see people pouring their hearts into loving the unlovely, it provokes me to demonstrate unconditional love in even greater ways.

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Provoke Unto Good Works

Hebrews 10:24,

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” 

How can we motivate others to good works?

Once again this begins with our own personal example. Paul writes to Titus, “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works:” (Titus 2:7). 

Practically speaking, however, we need to bring others along side of us and encourage them in Christian service. Serving God is of utmost importance as believers. But we only achieve our full potential when we effectively influence others to follow our pattern.

Inviting others to serve along side of you is a excellent way to strengthen friendships and foster new ones. Some of the sweetest moments of Christian fellowship for me have been leaning over a sink full of dirty dishes with a fellow sister-in-Christ. 

Titus commands the older women to teach the younger women. No matter how old you are, there is likely someone younger whom you can influence. But as we do get older, we must be careful not to “check out” of the ministry. I see many “older” women who still have so much left to offer who no longer want to invest in a younger generation. (Some of this may be the fault of an unteachable younger generation, but there are two sides to every coin). 

Titus 2:3-5,

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” 

Investing in others requires deliberate time and effort. And if we want to be influential, we must intentionally develop relationships. Leading others in service begins by an example followed up with a relationship. 

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Provoke By Exhortation

Hebrews 10:24-25,

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works…but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Exhorting others is much the same as provoking them. But this word specifically refers to motivating others through our words. 

How are you using your words to encourage others to love and to good works? 

I once heard the story of a lady who said she would never attend church again because of some unkind remark that was made to her. Now, I don’t agree with her decision, yet how sad it is that someone’s thoughtlessness resulted in so much damage. One day every idle spoken word will be brought into account.

Matthew 12:36, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” 

Words are powerful. They have the ability to build others up. And they have the ability to tear others down. Do your words produce life, or do they cause destruction?

Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

John Phillips writes, 

“Exhortation is most frequently addressed to the conscience and the heart…In many European homes, rooms are heated by small open fireplaces. Standard equipment with such a fireplace is a poker, a piece of metal use form time to time to stir up the smoldering embers so that they burst back into flame. This is the work of the exhorter. [She] must stir up the consciences of God’s people so that truth does not become merely abstract theology but is worked out in practical, down-to-earth living” (Romans, p. 195).

Our words should motivate others to do right. They should build up and encourage. If we want others to receive instruction, it must be done with a gracious and loving spirit. There is no place for unkind harsh words amongst believers. In this world today, there is already so much discouragement. Let’s not be the source of it for someone else. 

Ephesians 4:29,

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

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What are some practical ways you can “provoke” others unto love, good works, and by means of exhortation?

I would LOVE to hear your ideas in the comments below!

May we all have a desire to motivate others to live for the glory of the LORD!

 

 

 

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