Consider How to Stir up the Saints. 3.12.2026

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” (Hebrews 10:24 ESV)

    Last week we examined ourselves. This week we look to others. Not to bring them down, but as the text says to stir them up, to encourage them. We occasionally see or hear feel-good stories about how people treat one another. Encouragement appears to be kind of a dying art form in the Post-Modern world. Complaints about the anonymous, volatile, and mean-spirited nature of conversation on Social Media are abundant. Almost as abundant as the phenomena itself! It would appear that complaining about anti-social media is easier than doing something about it. 

    I am not an advocate of complete social media absence. Like it or not this is the world we live in. It is our environment. We can leverage Social Media to do tremendous good. In fact, a good guiding principle is to never speak, or act via social media in a way that you would not speak or act in person. Such a simple expedient would go a long way to cooling the temperature. As believers we can do more. 

    Our relationships should not merely be minefields that we try and traverse without causing damage. How stunting and stultifying that would be.  In Christ our relationships should be fruitful and growing. One of the elements that provides nourishment for growing relationships is thinking about others and what we can do to contribute to their lives. For some, maybe even many, this can be disappointing. Not all teach, lead, guide, direct, preach, or sing. These exemplify some of the most characteristic categories of encouragement. It does not appear that the Hebrew author is limiting the admonition we are considering. It is not limited to those who have public facing gifts nor are these words directed to those who work behind the scenes. These words are addressed to every member of the Body of Christ. You and me, in our various capacities are called to encourage—that is “stir up” one another. 

    Let me help you notice some things about this text that frames this mutually beneficial behavior. Beginning with Hebrews 10.19 the author shifts from a doctrinally focused section to a section focused on practice. The overall theme from Hebrews 10.19-25 might be framed as Doctrinally Derived Duties. The Hebrew author assumes, along with the rest of the New Testament, that doctrine and duty—belief and behavior are mutually reinforcing. When we gather for worship, we are remembering that Jesus has opened access to the heavenlies. Our devotion in worship reflects our relationship with the Father through Christ Jesus, and our participation in public worship reflects our relationship with one another. Worship is our confession, of God’s work within us, in consideration of our ultimate deliverance. It is in this context that the author says to stir one another up. 

    And there he becomes interestingly, tantalizingly vague. This encouragement, this stirring up is to yield love and good works. In what way? To what end? Which or what works in particular? Are we talking acts of love or loving words or love as an affirmation of one’s worth? All the above? And are we talking about specific, particular good works? Are these works for insiders or outsiders? Are we talking evangelism or pastoral care? Percentages?

    At which point we have leapt the fence from the feasible to the absurd. The author of these words, guided by the Spirt was as clear as he needed to be and as vague as necessary. What specific, concrete advice would someone writing 2000 years ago in a different culture have to say to us—really, about how to encourage someone in the contemporary body of Christ. 

The whole verse might be re-written as follows: 

You must figure out how to encourage one another, with everyone thinking and acting with greater love. 

It may not roll off the tongue. It’s certainly not “Bible sounding” but I think I make the point. We’re not exactly on our own but the impetus is on us to do the doing that the verse expects to get did. I can’t even tell you how to make this happen where you are! I can help. I can suggest. I have ideas. In your town for those you interact with, in your church and community you’ve got to consider how to stir people up.           The goal is for God’s people, to do Godly things. Those specific things will vary somewhat from place to place. If the perspicuity of Scripture is to mean anything it will teach that the Biblical message is broad enough to cover an unlimited number of social and cultural contexts. If the Hebrew author had been any more specific the words would have been more difficult to implement—not less. 

    So, here is a little exercise for us. Let’s spend time this week quoting this verse to ourselves—it takes little time to lodge it in our memories. In fact, let’s allow it to function as a prayer. 

“Lord, help me today to be a stir upper. Not to stir the pot, but to stir up my brothers and sisters to love and good works.”