CENTRAL THOUGHT
The one fervent in spirit easily responds to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
TEXT: ROM.12:9-16; EPH.2:10; TITUS 2:14.
INTRODUCTION:
Being fervent in spirit shows a life that is in constant and unbroken fellowship with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is motivated by his love for God and a desire to live to honor and please Him in all areas of life. Although one may not label oneself as being fervent in spirit, it can be manifested by one’s mode of life and actions. For instance, such person will be zealous in the services of the kingdom, not for show or eye service. His constant desire always is to be and do the will of God. He lives a life of holiness, contentment, humility and manifests the fruit of the Spirit. God is pleased with the one that is fervent in spirit because such life glorifies His name.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Highlight some of the benefits of being & staying fervent in the Spirit.
To state what the phrase “not slothful in business” means.
Explain what the expression …”fervent in Spirit” means.
Discuss how some believers are diligent in personal pursuit but slothful in the Lord’s business.
Explain how some behaviors lead to spiritual degeneration.
Discuss some attributes that help spiritual fervency.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “NOT SLOTHFUL IN BUSINESS”?
ROM.12:11; ECCL.9:10
Being slothful can mean being slow, lazy, or sluggish. In most cases a slothful man does not properly apply himself to anything that will add value to his life. The scripture by saying that we should not be slothful in business therefore means that the believer should properly apply himself in whatever thing he lays hands on so that it will yield a good outcome. This will be pleasing to God who has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue (2 Pet.1:3). Furthermore, we are instructed in Eccl.9:10 “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” We must realize that most activities we are engaged in are time bound so we must do them within the time frame before they become too late and lose their value. “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).
QUESTION 1B) WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS IS THE SCRIPTURE TALKING ABOUT?
COL.3:23; 1 COR.15:58
The kind of business the scripture is talking about has to do with all businesses we will ever be involved in. These include our services for the Kingdom of God, our homes, our secular work, and anything we lay our hands on. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col.3:23). Every business we get involved in must be done to bring glory to God. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col.3:17). We must remain steadfast in doing good work in whatever we do at all times and in every place we find ourselves.
QUESTION 2) EXPLAIN THE EXPRESSION “FERVENT IN SPIRIT” AS IT RELATES TO OUR SERVICE TO GOD AND OUR SECULAR WORK.
The word fervent means being ardent, passionate, enthusiastic, zealous, hot and burning. Therefore, fervent in Spirit as it relates to our service is that we do the work of God with great zeal, passion and enthusiasm with the genuineness not minding the cost. Our desire must be to please God in the service of the Kingdom. Like Apostle Paul, we should continually “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:14).
In our secular work, we need to show diligence and get involved in only those things that will bring glory to God. We must abstain from any form of evil that we see and hear of being practiced in the world today. A believer for instance should not be a party to fraudulent activities, bribery, corruption, and fraud in whatever way. We must realize it is what God blesses that lasts and is free from sorrow “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it” (Prov.10:22).
QUESTION 3) PRACTICALLY DISCUSS HOW SOME BELIEVERS ARE DILIGENT IN PERSONAL PURSUIT AND SLOTHFUL IN THE LORD’S BUSINESS.
Many people today, including some believers, show more diligence in their personal pursuit because of physical and heightened interest but do not realize that all riches they acquire will end here. We are reminded in the scripture “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we carry nothing out” (1 Tim.6:7). Hard work should be encouraged among believers, but it should not make us neglect our service to God and the business of the kingdom. There are many believers who show fervency in spirit when they are trusting God for business and financial breakthrough. As soon as God gives them the required breakthrough, they forget God and kingdom business. They will always have excuses that their business is taking much of their time, and they cannot make time for God because of their very busy and tight schedules. They have forgotten that it is God that gave them power to get wealth. We should take note of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 12:15 “Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he posseseth”.
QUESTION 4) EXPLAIN HOW SOME BEHAVIORS CAN LEAD TO SPIRITUAL REGENERATION.
There are some behaviors that can lead to spiritual degeneration. Some of which are listed and discussed below:
(a). Wrong association: (2 Cor.6:14-18; 1Cor.15:33). Joining the wrong company can lead to spiritual degeneration. Many times, some people in a bid to belong find themselves in the wrong association. We have been enjoined in the word of God not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Darkness and light have nothing in common. We must separate ourselves from them. Also, we must not follow them because evil communications corrupt good manners.
(b) Slothfulness: (Prov.6:10-11). Laziness is another cause of spiritual degeneration. Sometimes it can manifest in the form of procrastination. People may keep postponing when to pray, study the Bible or attend to activities that will enhance their spiritual wellbeing. Sometimes too much sleep or spending long time watching television late into the night may make them not wake up early and they straightway forget their quiet time. If this persists it certainly will result in spiritual degeneration.
(c) Neglecting fellowship: (Heb.10:25). Regular attendance to Christian fellowships is very important among other things in sustaining spiritual fervency. When a believer starts to neglect the fellowship of the brethren, if he does not take care to retrace his step, before one knows it backsliding steps in. Therefore, a believer must not neglect the coming together of the brethren. This helps to keep him from falling, as iron sharpens iron.
(d) Worldliness: (1 John 2:15-17; Luke 21:34; James 4:4). Worldliness has become very prevalent today even among some believers. The word of God says to us “Love not the world, if any man loves the world, the love of the father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). The things that attract us, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are all transient, they will pass away but anyone that does the will of God will abide forever.
(e) Fear: (Matt.26:69-75; 1 John 4:18). Fear torments. Fear does not allow one to realize one’s potentials in God. A fearful person may not be able to take a bold step of faith and without faith it is impossible to please God. Fear can make a believer in the face of challenges deny his faith.
QUESTION 5) WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ATTRIBUTES THAT HELP SPIRITUAL FERVENCY?
The attributes discussed below help spiritual fervency:
(i) Spiritual empowerment. (Acts 1:8; John 14:26; John 16:13-15). If we must grow in spiritual fervency, then we must ask for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus promised the disciples before His ascension to heaven that they would receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon them. Then they would be His witnesses. He also promised that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and bring to our remembrance all the things He has spoken to us. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot sustain/uphold spiritual fervency.
(ii) Regular prayer (Luke 18:1; 1Thess.5:17). Regular prayer is not only important but very imperative for the sustenance of spiritual fervency. The Lord Jesus all through His ministry here on earth spent quality time in prayers. He enjoined us that men ought always to pray and not to faint. We must pray without ceasing. We must develop prayer lives that make us have regular fellowship (discussion/talk) with God.
(iii) Regular fellowship with brethren/right association (Prov. 27:17). Regular fellowship with brethren and being with the right people and right association is very instrumental in maintaining spiritual fervency. This is because iron sharpens iron. When we are in the midst of the brethren, we get Godly counsel and encouragement when we face challenges. This ensures our victory as the brethren help us to overcome by upholding us.
(iv) Studying and meditating on God’s word (Pro 4:20-22; Josh.1:8). The word of God is very important and is indispensable in sustaining spiritual fervency. The word of God reveals to us the mind of God in every area of
life. In fact, the word of God is God (John 1:1). God’s word serves as a compass in directing our life’s journey as pilgrims on earth. It is by studying and meditating on the word and observing to do and live by it that we can be prosperous and make good success. The Bible instructs us to “attend to God’s word, incline our ears to it and meditate therein” (Prov.4:20-22).
QUESTION 6A) WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DANGERS OF BEING SLOTHFUL?
REV.3:14-16; MATT.25:24-30; EPH. 6:12
There are many dangers associated with slothfulness, especially in the life of a believer. Today, the love of many believers for God has waxed cold. This has resulted in their not taking the things of God seriously. Another danger is that gradually such believers become lukewarm in his service and fellowship. Hear the words of Jesus Christ in Rev.3:16 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth”. Slothfulness can lead to one losing the talent God deposited in his life. God does not invest His divine resources in a life that will leave such resources idle without making a judicious use of them. We saw that the talent given to the unprofitable servant was taken from him and given to the faithful and good servant. Rather than getting a commendation from the Master like the faithful servants, the unprofitable and slothful servant got a condemnation. The Master commanded “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”. Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. We cannot fight these with our own power. We need to be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit if not we shall become casualties in the hand of the devil.
QUESTION 6B) WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING/STAYING FERVENT IN THE SPIRIT?
1 COR.15:58
Being fervent in spirit has a number of benefits. Such a believer enjoys an unbroken relationship with God. His life is secured in God. God takes delight in him and so whatever he does prospers. His prayers are answered, and he has assurance of salvation, always enjoying God’s presence, peace, joy and contentment from God. He enjoys divine health, divine security, divine provision, and divine guidance. One major benefit that stands out is the fact that God takes note of his labors, and it will never go unrewarded. Most importantly, he will spend eternity in Heaven with God. In addition, he will be decorated with the crown of righteousness, crown of life. He will also receive a commendation from the Master.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Being fervent in spirit is not meant for a special group of believers. It should be a normal way of life for all believers. Fervency in spirit should not be experienced occasionally. It should be a daily and regular way of life which must be sustained. There is no believer who can afford not to be fervent in spirit. However, one who is fervent in spirit could encounter challenges in life, but the presence of God is assured. It is a life of total dependence on the Lord and on the power of the Holy Spirit. This must be sustained by studying the word of God, fellowshipping with brethren and among others being very prayerful.
MEMORY VERSE:
ROMANS 12:11
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Meditate on Rom.12:11
TUE: Do business to the glory of God. Col.3:17-23
WED: Danger of wrong association. 2Cor. 6:14-18;
1 Cor.15:33.
THU: Attribute for spiritual fervency. Lk.18:1-8;
1 Thess.5:17.
FRI: Attribute for spiritual fervency. Prov.4:20-22; Jos.1:8.
SAT: Benefit of staying fervent in Spirit. 1 Cor.15:58.