Be a Provoker

September, 2006

by: Tim Carns

Last month we looked at a very important passage, discussing the area of Body life and the functioning of the Church. It said, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Simply put, as we gather together we are called to consider (which means “to think about carefully, ponder, contemplate”) ways in which we may stimulate (or literally, “provoke”) fellow believers to God-honoring action. We talked about the importance of putting away all distractions when you gather with fellow believers so that you may concentrate on applying this passage in Hebrews. So, let’s assume that you have done that. You have kept your mind and heart focused on how you will encourage another believer to love and good deeds.

But, just how do you do this? What are some practical ways to motivate someone else to love and good deeds? How can you engage in a conversation that will really help that other person love and obey God more? Well, stop and think about the last few conversations that you had with another believer either at church or in a Bible study or even on the phone. How would you characterize those discussions? Here are some practical questions to evaluate if you are provoking someone to love and good deeds:

• What did you talk about? What was the focus of your discussion?
• When was the last time you shared your testimony with a brother or sister?
• How often do you look someone in the eye and ask that person how he or she is really doing and then listened?
• When was the last time someone asked you that?
• When have you confessed to someone a struggle or offered to help someone in their struggle?
• When was the last time you discussed a passage of Scripture to better understand and apply God’s Word?
• When was the last time you prayed with someone impromptu—not as a normal part of a Bible study or worship service—but just as two believers together before the Lord?
• When was the last time that you told someone something that God is teaching you?
• When is the last time you may have even discussed a sermon that you heard and how God used it to work on an area of your life?
• When is the last time you went out of your way to meet someone at Calvary that you didn’t know and encourage them?

I could ask many more questions like these. The point is, if you are truly devoted to your brothers and sisters in Christ (Rom 12:10), you need to be continually thinking of ways to provoke them to follow the Lord. Now, I know that each of us is in a different place in our walk with God and that each of us responds differently. What may provoke one person in a given situation may not do the same for another. I’ve learned this the hard way. Some people I have asked how their quiet time was going and they have spilled their guts to me. Others give me a blank stare like “What is he getting at?” That is why we have to be thoughtfully reflecting on this. Each person is different and we need to know them well enough to minister to them where they are at.

But, referring back to our passage in Hebrews, you can’t even get to the point of effective ministry if you don’t have the mindset that as you gather you need to be thinking in this way—you need to be carefully pondering how to stimulate that person to love and good deeds. One thing that helps is to ask yourself while you are with a fellow believer, “What can I do to help this person in his or her walk with Jesus? How can I help them be more like Christ? How can they help me be more like Him?” If this is truly your attitude whenever you are with other believers, then God will use you to bring about growth in His body. This gives Him glory and you the blessing of being used by Him.

How about applying Hebrews 10:24 this week? Think of one person that you will commit to seeing this Sunday and ask the Lord to use you in that person’s life. A good question to get the conversation going might be, “What did you get out of this morning’s sermon? How did it help you? Here’s how it helped me.” Or you might give them a list of issues you’d like prayer for and then ask them how you can pray for them. These are just two of many ways that you can get a conversation going that centers on helping one another be more like Christ. So, clear your mind for action and be a provoker!