Paul encouraged the Romans not to lag in diligence (Rom. 12:11). The Greek word for diligence is "spoudazo" which means to be zealous and do things with all our might.

The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about diligence and compares it to laziness, for example: "the hand of the diligent shall bear rule but the slothful shall be under tribute" (Prov. 12:24; KJV). The hand of the diligent person will be a good steward of their time and God given gifts; they will push through their circumstances with a vision of what God can do for them.

There are several scriptures that encourage diligence, for example in the Old Testament we are encouraged to diligently listen to the voice of the lord so we can experience God as our healer (Ex. 15:6). In Deuteronomy chapter 2 and verse 1 it again says that if we will listen diligently we will be overtaken with blessings. We are also told to teach our children diligently in that same verse. In Hebrews chapter 4 and verse11 we are told to be diligent to enter into rest; in Galatians chapter 2 and 10 we are told to be diligent in remembering the poor. These are just a few and there are more. I encourage you today not to lag in diligence but to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Rom. 12:11).

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