DILIGENCE

By: Orville J. Nave

• 8 min. read • grade level: 7

Jesus an example of

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark 1:35³⁵And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark 1:35))

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (Luke 2:49⁴⁹And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (Luke 2:49))

Required by God in seeking him

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 22:19¹⁹Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 22:19))

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6⁶But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6))

Obeying him

Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. (Deuteronomy 6:17¹⁷Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. (Deuteronomy 6:17))

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, (Deuteronomy 11:13¹³And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, (Deuteronomy 11:13))

Listening to him

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (Isaiah 55:2²Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (Isaiah 55:2))

Striving after perfection

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14¹³Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13‑14))

Cultivating proper behaviors of a true Christian

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (2 Peter 1:5⁵And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (2 Peter 1:5))

Keeping the soul

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; (Deuteronomy 4:9⁹Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; (Deuteronomy 4:9))

Keeping the heart

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23²³Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23))

Labors of love

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:10-12¹⁰For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. ¹¹And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: ¹²That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:10‑12))

Following every good work

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. (1 Timothy 3:10¹⁰And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. (1 Timothy 3:10))

Guarding against defilement

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:15¹⁵Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:15))

Seeking to be found spotless

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:14¹⁴Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:14))

Making our calling sure

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:10¹⁰Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:10))

Self-examination

I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. (Psalm 77:6⁶I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. (Psalm 77:6))

Lawful business

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. (Proverbs 27:23²³Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. (Proverbs 27:23))

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiastes 9:10¹⁰Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiastes 9:10))

Preserving "the faith" through teaching

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2²Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2))

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3³Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3))

Instructing children

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:7⁷And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:7))

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 11:19¹⁹And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 11:19))

Discharging official duties

And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; (Deuteronomy 19:18¹⁸And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; (Deuteronomy 19:18))

Saints should abound in

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. (2 Corinthians 8:7⁷Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. (2 Corinthians 8:7))

Required in the service of God

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (John 9:4⁴I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (John 9:4))

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9))

Is not in vain

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58))

Preserves from evil

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (Exodus 15:26²⁶And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (Exodus 15:26))

Leads to assured hope

And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: (Hebrews 6:11¹¹And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: (Hebrews 6:11))

God rewards

That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. (Deuteronomy 11:14¹⁴That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. (Deuteronomy 11:14))

In temporal matters leads to favor

He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. (Proverbs 11:27²⁷He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. (Proverbs 11:27))

Prosperity

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. (Proverbs 10:4⁴He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. (Proverbs 10:4))

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. (Proverbs 13:4⁴The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. (Proverbs 13:4))

Honor

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. (Proverbs 12:24²⁴The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. (Proverbs 12:24))

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. (Proverbs 22:29²⁹Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. (Proverbs 22:29))

FIGURATIVE

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8⁶Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: ⁷Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, ⁸Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. (Proverbs 6:6‑8))

Exemplified

Ruth

So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. (Ruth 2:17¹⁷So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. (Ruth 2:17))

Hezekiah

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. (2 Chronicles 31:21²¹And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. (2 Chronicles 31:21))

Nehemiah and his helpers

So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6⁶So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6))

Psalmist

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. (Psalm 119:60⁶⁰I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. (Psalm 119:60))

Apostles

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:42⁴²And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:42))

Apollos

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. (Acts 18:25²⁵This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. (Acts 18:25))

Titus

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. (2 Corinthians 8:22²²And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. (2 Corinthians 8:22))

Paul

For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9⁹For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9))

Onesiphorus

But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. (2 Timothy 1:17¹⁷But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. (2 Timothy 1:17))

See INDUSTRY

See ZEAL

See IDLENESS

See SLOTHFULNESS

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Nave's Topical Bible: D

• DILIGENCE