Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

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And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, (NIV)

This has always been one of my favorite verses and the only time I ever quote from the NIV. Before we get into the meaning of the verse lets look at some context.

Previously we have seen a prolonged section, Hebrews 10:1-18 explaining how the New Covenant is far superior to the Old. This is followed by a dire warning not to fall away from the faith when the eventual turmoils of life Hebrews 10:26-39 come upon us.

Sandwiched in the middle are verses 19-25 the headline above the section in the CSB reads; Exhortations to Godliness, the NLT; A Call to Persevere and the ESV: The Full Assurance of Faith. It is in this section we find the writer of Hebrews reaffirming the previous 19 verses with this conclusion:

• We can enter the Holy places because of Christ’s sacrifice v.19
• Christ made a new and living way for us through His flesh v.20
• He alone is the Great High priest v.21
• We can have a clean heart full of assurance of faith in Christ v.22
• We must hold fast to our faith in Christ v.23
• Spur one another to love and good deeds v.24
• We must meet together in fellowship with like minded believers v.25

Verse 24 has many translations for the word Spur (I like this one as it helps me remember it easily, I used to ride a lot).

The ESV uses stir up, The KJV uses provoke unto, the NASB to stimulate, and the NLT to motivate. Essentially they all have the same gist, to prompt or encourage each other to do love God, love one another, love others and to do good deeds for the Kingdom of God and His Glory. In fact this is not the first time we have read this in Hebrews. Back in Chapter 3 we read v.13 “But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication]. “

In the Army we had Battle Buddies¹ someone we were accountable to and for. We looked out for each other, it should be no different in the Christian world, we are in a battle daily against the devil and his minions (Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

I highly recommend that each of us get a battle buddy of sorts, someone we can share with, be accountable to and most importantly SPUR ON regularly. 

¹ Battle Buddies