Have you ever been called “diligent”?
I’ve always took it to mean simply “a hard worker”. But then I was studying the book of Proverbs, and the word kept popping up all over. So naturally, it became a focus word for a blog post.
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5
Before looking up the definition of the word, using these verses from Proverbs gave me a strong impression of its meaning – and particularly, of its antonyms. Lazy, sluggard, hasty are adjectives used in opposition to diligent. Each are usually seen as negative character traits in a person. Diligent, on the other hand, is defined as “characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort”. That seems a little more than just “hard working”, doesn’t it?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary adds this commentary to the definition: “You’re more likely to be diligent about something if you love doing it. The etymology of diligent reflects the fact that affection can lead to energetic effort. The word… descends from the Latin verb diligere, meaning ‘to value or esteem highly’ or ‘to love.’ Of course, you don’t need to care for the task at hand in order to be diligent, but it certainly does help!”
This caught my eye and caused me to pause for reflection. To be considered “diligent” does not necessarily mean a passion exists. But on those occasions where someone has called me diligent, I am certain my task at hand involved something or someone close to my heart.
In this particular online dictionary, 72 comments have been recorded by visitors to the page, in particular to answer the question “What made you look up DILIGENT? Tell us where you read it or heard it in the comments below.”
I scrolled through the remarks and guess what? Over half of the comments quoted scripture! For some reason, I found this very inspiring. And of course, consistent with my own answer to that question – indeed, Proverbs had brought me to the dictionary.
As I mediated on the words from Proverbs, I found myself wondering… what is it that God wants me to be diligent towards? Diligent about? Where do I apply my “steady, earnest, and energetic effort”? I searched the Bible for more references about DILIGENT, and found this verse to be especially helpful in increasing my understanding:
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 1 Timothy 4:15
What are “these matters” Paul refers to in his letter to Timothy? Reading the verses before and after this one, I identify the “matters” as follows:
- using your gifts
- preaching
- teaching
- public reading of Scripture
- setting an example in life, speech, love, faith and purity
- watching your life and doctrine closely
Taking the definition of diligent, adding in Paul’s words to the young, timid disciple, and the result is something like this…
Give firm, sincere, spirited effort to the example you set with your life, the words you speak, the love you share, the faith you express, and the purity you honor. Include in this effort the use of your spiritual gifts, preaching, teaching, and worshiping.
Another great example of the use of the word diligent in scripture can be found in the longest chapter of Bible:
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Psalm 119:4 NRSV
To where should I direct my diligence? To God’s commandments! He expects me to be diligent in obeying His instructions. I learn my duty from God, and then carry it out with diligence. The pattern is simple but not easy to follow.
Using the scriptures from 1 Timothy and Psalms now helps me understand where to put my diligent hands to work.
- In obedience to His commands
- In using my spiritual gifts
- In the example I set with my life
By being diligent in these “things”, then I will have the “profitable plans” and “satisfied desires” described in the book of Proverbs.
Does diligence please God? I read in Colossians about what pleases Him:
Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:10-12
Breaking this long passage into parts, I see a familiar pattern emerge:
- Bear fruit in every good work = DEEDS, ACTION, STRENGTH
- Growing in the knowledge of God = STUDY, LEARN, MIND
- Being strengthened with all power / qualified you = submitting to the Holy Spirit = SOUL
- Giving thanks to God = PRAISE, WORSHIP, HEART
The desire to please God flows naturally from the love I have for Him. I want to keep His commands diligently. Especially the most important one!
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:28-30