The word “paroxysm” is the term used in Hebrews 10:24 (paroxusmos) to speak of the “stimulating alongside” that should be practiced by Christians to motivate others to love and good works.
The word is utilized only one other time in the New Testament, and that in a negative sense, in Acts 15:39. There Paul and Barnabas had a sharp “contention” between them. The word is a composite of para, “beside” and oxos or oxus, the word for acid or sour wine vinegar, and is used to convey something sharp that causes a swift reaction.
There is no question that the Lord’s people are to be para, alongside one another. The words “together,” “one another,” and “fellow” are used extensively by the New Testament writers to describe the unified and interdependent relationship Christians have.
There is also no question that believers have a marked influence on one another. We provoke (paroxusmos) one another alright, but is it in the negative or positive sense? Many Christians today are having their teeth set on edge as with a dose of vinegar because of the sharp and unkind words of others. Young believers are offended and disheartened by rough criticism from older members of the local assembly. Elders are demoralized by the constant carping of the flock against their shepherds. Husbands and wives needle each other at every opportunity and then wonder why their marriages are on shaky ground. Young people regularly cut one another down, discouraging their peers from going on in the life of faith. Who needs the enemy to accuse the brethren? We do the job very effectively ourselves.
Let’s start provoking each other–to love and good works! Just as the excited trigeminal nerves can stimulate a reaction in the muscles alongside, so we have the ability to motivate other believers in a positive and helpful way. Love is the motive and good works are the result. Here are some suggestions on how to get started in our provoking ministry.
Ma Bell Can Help
Instead of using the telephone for gossip, how about using it to encourage other believers! Put your morning coffee break on the altar. Instead of reading the paper, drop a quarter in the pay phone (don’t use the company line) and in seconds you can be in touch with a lonely shut-in or a discouraged saint. Tell them you have just a few minutes but wanted to share an encouraging verse with them. Ask them if there is something you can be praying about in their life and, if appropriate, pray with them over the phone. It may not be as good as a personal visit, but as the advertising says, “It’s the next best thing to being there.”
Have You Hugged an Elder Lately?
Elders today are a harried lot. Business pressures have never been as heavy. Their families, along with everyone else’s, are under siege. The Christians are scattered throughout the suburban sprawl, sometimes 30 minutes or more in every direction. On top of that, people are constantly on the run, making it likely that if the elders give you a call, they will make contact with your answering machine. Many Christians don’t want regular, long-term commitments in the assembly; they treat the local church as a hobby, not their life. Month-long vacations, summer cottages, weekend boating extending into the Lord’s day, the TV trap, etc., all sap the virility from the local assembly.
So provoke your elders! Don’t wait for them to contact you; you contact them. Have them over (with their longsuffering wives) for a “thank-you” dinner to express your gratitude to them.
We are to pray for them, encourage them, intreat them, know them, honor them, remember them, obey them, but I’m still looking for the verse that says we can criticize them. In fact, we are not even to listen to someone else criticize them! Your response should be: “Do you have witnesses? We ought to go to this brother himself and talk about it.” Then see some back-peddling!
A Real Card
While there are some appropriate messages now and again on commercial greeting cards, nothing is quite like a personal note. And if you have some calligraphic ability, you might try sending out a card like this each week (to a different recipient in your assembly):
Be encouraged!
Although you may think your ministry goes unnoticed, it isn’t. Thank you for (the ministry involved).
The Day shall declare it, but we want you to know now that the Lord has blessed us through you.
A note written by the young people’s group–even if it’s just their names and a favorite scripture each–can brighten the week of a missionary far from home. Or a letter to out-of-town college students works wonders (especially with $10 included for a pizza or burger and shake).
Musical Messages
The world knows the value of music. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry. You can send a musical telegram to your friends, sending along some insipid ditty in exchange for cash. Why not encourage others with some worthwhile music. Older folk would love an impromptu hymn sing at their house. Don’t just do it at Christmas carolling time; Sunday evenings are a great time for a visit. Bring your own cookies and soft drinks so the hosts don’t feel embarrassed by being caught unawares.
A cassette tape recording made at a hymn sing (with all the in-between banter) makes a great gift for someone hospitalized or far away. You aren’t trying to be professional, just real.
Babysitting, Anyone?
The home, as has been mentioned, is under fierce attack. Capable young people or grandmotherly types–here’s an invaluable gift you can give that will cost you only a little time. Young mothers need time out; couples need time alone. It’s a rat race world. Couldn’t you offer to look after someone’s children for an afternoon or evening so they can have some time to be refreshed? It could help many a marriage if, once a month at least, the two could sit alone together (albeit at McDonald’s) and talk about life together. There are single parents, too, and families looking after seniors that need a break. What a great ministry!
The List Goes On
Obviously there are as many potential ministries like this as there are needs among God’s people. For example: taking older people grocery shopping, to the bank, etc.; doing yard work for the elders so they can visit the saints, study the Word, and all the other necessary things; introducing good books and music to others (present it, gift-wrapped, with “thanks for your friendship” on the card); make a ministry list of those things done around your assembly (including who takes out the garbage and turns on the lights), then pray regularly for them–and you’ll be able to say to the junior Sunday School teacher, “I pray for you on Tuesdays; anything specific I can ask for?”
So go provoke someone this week. But watch out; it’s catching!