An Act of Provocation
Hebrews 10: 11-25
When last have you provoked someone?
When last have you done or said something that caused someone to do that which they may not otherwise have done?
If you have not provoked someone in a long time, then maybe it’s about time you do.
What am I talking about? What am I advocating?
Am I suggesting that you go out and stir up trouble? That you go out and incite someone to do something rash or irrational, something terrible and harmful; something both you and the person might regret? Certainly not.
I know that when we think of provoking or of provocation, what commonly comes to mind is doing or saying something to anger, to enrage, or to exasperate someone. It is true that that’s what sometimes result when we provoke people: we can push them to do or say something terrible and regrettable. But provocation does not have to be a bad word, nor does provocation have to lead to terrible and harmful consequences; in fact, it can be the total opposite.
To provoke means to stir up, to arouse or call forth feelings, desires, or activity. It means to incite or stimulate a person to action, to induce or bring about something. To cause someone to do something that they may not otherwise have done.
The word provoke is neutral – neither good nor bad. We can provoke someone to do something bad, harmful, violent; but equally, we can provoke someone to do something good, kind, helpful – that they may not otherwise have done.
It is in that latter sense that the writer of the book of Hebrews uses the word when he says in Hebrews 10: 24 “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.”
- Let us see how we can stir up, arouse, call forth in one another, feelings and desires and acts of love, kindness, and goodness.
- Let us see how we can stimulate the best in each other.
- Let us see how we can inspire each other to act in ways that promote the welfare and well-being of all.
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.
We are in many ways a product of our environment: our home, community, social, political, religious environments.
- If we grow up in an environment where there is hatred, we are much more likely to grow up hating – sometimes even our own selves.
- If we live in an environment where persons are constantly being put down and criticized, we are far more likely to be critical of others, and to be insecure about ourselves.
Likewise, if we are in a loving, caring, respectful, positive environment, we are much more likely to become persons who are loving, caring, respectful and positive ourselves.
We learn what we live, and we live what we learn. But we also have the power to shape our environment, if just in small ways. Every day, by the things we say and do, we are helping to create an environment that can help or hinder others, that can call forth the best or the worst in persons; an environment that can lead to success, or failure.
When we look around, we see so much that troubles us. So much that is not right. So much that needs to be fixed. We can choose to join those who give in to despair, we can stand back and look on as others give in to their worst instincts, or we can try to encourage that which is good in each of us.
We can, by our words and our actions, influence the lives of others.
We can create discouragement and cause persons to give up on themselves by being disparaging and negative, or we can boost confidence and encourage effort by being supportive and positive.
We can sow division and discord by hurtful speech, or we can promote peace and accord by speaking the truth in love.
We can speak words that brighten and enlighten, that educate and motivate; or we can speak words that dampen enthusiasm and deflate the spirit.
What response do our words and actions prompt in others? What feelings, desires, or activities do they call forth?
Are persons motivated to do good because they see us doing that which is good?
Are persons challenged to go the extra mile because they see us willingly doing so?
Are persons encouraged to take the necessary risks to grow and achieve, because they have seen us step out in faith?
Are persons strengthened in their commitment to doing what they believe God has set before them because they are inspired by our commitment?
Are persons determined to hang in there because they have been encouraged by our own perseverance?
What are the examples of love and goodness in your life that can stir up and incite similar feeling and desires and activities in others?
To what do our lives bear witness?
The challenges that we face in our lives; in our homes, in our workplaces, in our communities, and in our church are many and great, and yes you are only one person, battling with your own constraints and challenges. You are not called to change or save the entire world. But you can let your light shine in your little corner, so that someone, even if just one, can see the love and goodness in themselves, in others and in God.
Each gracious word spoken, each act of goodness done, helps to create an environment where love and life flourish.
So, my friends, let your life be an act of provocation, not unto hatred and destruction, but unto love and good deeds. Let your life be a witness to what is good and right and worthy of praise. And pray that your witness will inspire what is good and right and worthy of praise in others too.
At a time when we, along with other nations, remember the lives lost in wars, the pain and trauma that many continue to experience because of wars and conflicts, let us, with the help of God, go forth to stir up, to arouse, to call forth feelings, desires and actions that are positive and good, loving and life giving. Let to do that which will encourage peace and goodwill.
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.
Thanks be to God.