“And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds" ~Hebrews 10:24-25

“And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds and not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” ~Hebrews 10:24-25

Many translations use the phrase ‘encourage one another'. Or ‘motivate’. How nice. A few use ‘provoke’ each other - that’s more like it. This translation uses the word ‘spur’.

Spur?

As a noun, this is a pointy device used to make a horse go faster. As a verb, it’s an encouragement to make an activity develop more quickly. The connotation is that something uncomfortable makes this happen.

The original Greek word used means to incite - in a positive way. Putting all this together, I picture getting people out of their comfort zones to do something good.

This scripture is referencing a specific time in history, right before 70AD when the Roman army decimated Jerusalem. But this can be applied to our time, as well. The quarantine has stifled the church. We got too comfortable staying home. Thankfully, it seems as if the last couple of years indicate that things may be returning to what we consider to be normal.

The community of faith is a social and spiritual entity - we need each other with Jesus as the core. As body parts need the Head to operate as a living being. We nudge each other out of our comfy places. Out of the fear of being pushy or over-zealous. As light shines brighter when multiple flames connect, so are our lives in Jesus Christ. Let’s illuminate our world together with the glory of Jesus!

Written by: Bonnie Chovanec, 2026