Diligence means paying proper attention to a task and providing the level of care required in a specific situation. It is the application of caution, persistence, and determination in any endeavor to achieve a specific goal.
As we study the Bible, we notice that God uses certain keywords to express His thoughts. When God uses these words, especially in crucial areas of life, we should be curious and study the subject. Diligence is one of these keywords.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 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."
God commanded the children of Israel to diligently teach their children the commandments. Take note of how He used the word "diligent" when referring to the teaching of His Word. This demonstrates the significance of the word "diligent" in this context. God was not just referring to what He wanted the children of Israel to do but also how He wanted them to do it; He wanted them to do it "diligently."
Not only were the children of Israel to teach their children the commandments, but God also instructed them to do so diligently. It matters in our dealings with God if we are doing what He told us to do in accordance with His will. Keeping God's commandments requires us to be cautious, persistent, and determined. We must keep God's commandments assiduously and with great care.
How Can We Be Diligent?
The Bible instructs and guides us on how to be diligent. We must be diligent in following the spiritual direction in our professions and our personal development. It includes whatever our concerns are or whatever we want to focus on. These can be related to our jobs, relationships, and so on.
God measures progress and wants us to be progressive, so he tells us what we need to do to get there.
Pace Diligence Practically
2 Corinthians 8:22 "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."
Take note here that Paul described the brother as diligent in many areas. He didn't say he was diligent in everything, but in a lot of things. 2 Peter 1:5 says, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.”
What does "all diligence" imply? All diligence in this context does not imply that a person is diligent in all things but rather that all effort is put into diligence. This is distinct from being conscientious in all things.
2 Corinthians 8:7 "Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
God wants us to be diligent, take care, attentive, persistent, and determined in what He tells us to do—only in things that move us forward.
Humble Diligence Brings Success
Some are successful in their endeavors, and others are not, but success is not by chance. It's simple to be successful because there are success principles, and we've been told what to do to be successful. In His Word, God shows us the directions and never leaves us in doubt about what to do, and whatever He has directed us to do must be done with diligence to succeed.
People fail because they are ignorant and choose pride over humbly admitting they need outside knowledge. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge."
Ignorance is the lack of knowledge and is a factor in failure. People will surely fail when they reject knowledge. Failure is sure for those who have hardened their hearts and stopped listening to the directions of God, even though they could be very successful in any endeavor.
God always wants us to succeed; He is successful in everything and wants us to be successful as well.
Diligence in All Endeavors
Proverbs 12:24 "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute."
A slothful person is not diligent. If you work hard in any field or along any career path, you will become a leader. It means you'll be a champion and the best in your area.
Anyone who is not diligent in his work becomes a slave eventually. Such a person risks being a slave to another person or a slave to a system, ultimately making him confined in life. If you don't choose what you want, you'll have to accept what you get; that's just the way life works.
The diligent person will have authority and control, whereas the lazy person will be subject to tribute.
Make the decision to be diligent about whatever you want to accomplish.
Proverbs 22:29 "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."
A diligent man will walk among kings and stand tall among them. He will be known among kings, not among commoners.
God is concerned about what happens to you. He cares about your life and the outcomes you achieve, so work hard in your business, relationships, and other aspects of life. Know the tools you'll need to be the man or woman God calls you to be. What are you going to do to achieve your dreams and goals? You must be diligent in carrying out your plans once you have defined them. Diligence means taking deliberate, persistent, and determined action to achieve a specific goal.
John 4:34 "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." According to Jesus, His food is to do the will, the pleasure of Him who sent Him, and to accomplish and completely finish His work.
Jesus desired to complete God's will, not just do it halfway. Imagine if the gospel that was brought to us was incomplete.vChrist finished His work, the gospel is now available, and men are saved. Our salvation would not have been completed if Jesus had not finished His work. But he finished it and said, "It is finished," before passing away on the cross.
Jesus Christ set a perfect example for us to emulate. He was diligent and lived in such a way that the Father's will was fulfilled; he knew his purpose, and his focus was on the Father's will.
We're supposed to imitate Jesus, and the Bible says we should walk in His footsteps and act like Him. Jesus was conscientious, and we should be as well.
The Bible says that if you are diligent, you will stand before kings rather than mean men, but if you are not, you will be subject to tribute. Diligence is good, but it is not enough to be diligent in some areas; the goal is for you to strive to be diligent in all areas. Diligence is the application of commitment and perseverance to turn a vision into reality. Begin to walk according to this knowledge, and let the word of God take precedence and ascendency in your spirit.
Remember that the Bible says, "The hands of the diligent shall rule, but the slothful shall be subject." This is a spiritual law in God's kingdom.
Regardless of your position, rank, or what you do, diligence will elevate you to a position of authority, whereas slothfulness will place you under the taskmaster, under forced labor, where you have less energy, motivation, and time to seek the Lord's bigger, better plan for your life.
Photo Credit: ©JLco - Julia Amaral
Emmanuel Abimbola is a creative freelance writer, blogger, and web designer. He is a devout Christian with an uncompromising faith who hails from Ondo State in Nigeria, West Africa. As a lover of kids, Emmanuel runs a small elementary school in Arigidi, Nigeria.