James 3:17 tells us, The wisdom that is from above is “easy to be entreated.” That phrase means: readily accepting or responding to requests or persuasion, showing a willingness to be influenced or convinced. Other translations use phrases like “willing to yield to others” and “submissive.”
I wasn’t in the mood to work the altar, if I’m being honest. I was emotionally and spiritually weary and I was ready to coast through a service or two. As I was quietly coasting, aware of the lady praying in the back but figuring someone else would pray with her, an elder walked by me headed that way. He said not a word – he simply made direct eye contact with me, then looked toward the lady in the back. My “coast” came to an abrupt end in that second. I immediately went back and began to pray with the lady, and for the remainder of that conference, I stayed fully engaged, working the altars, and filling in on music as needed.
A wise saint is easily entreated to do things that are godly and spiritually healthy. They don’t have to be harassed and fussed at to get them to do what they should. They understand the value of allowing themselves to be easily provoked to good works. That elder didn’t need to come talk to me about coasting, nor even directly tell me to go pray for someone. A split second of eye contact was all it took to rebuke me and correct my actions. And I didn’t just go pray for the lady and go back to coasting - he “told” me once and that was enough.
What about you? Are there things the pastor or his wife have to ask you to do repeatedly? Fuss about routinely? Pre-service prayer? Working the altar? Helping keep the church clean? Reaching out to those who missed service to let them know they were missed? Actively engaging in worship?
Are you easily entreated?
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