Enthusiasm and the Christian Walk

Mike Hosey, An Elder

If you are using a good, major, critical translation, you likely will not find the word “enthusiasm” as it is translated from its true Greek roots in your bibles, or in any of your major bible concordances.  But the concept captured by the word does exist in the bible.  The English word, enthusiasm, comes from the two Greek words, En and Theos. There are multiple ways to translate, En Theos.  But for the most part, it means to be either filled with God, or to be moved by God in some profound way.  Whenever you find the English word, Enthusiasm, in a modern translation, it is usually being used to translate another word such as zealousness or eagerness.  So enthusiasm is an eagerness or a zealousness that is motivated by God.  Notice that the source of the motivation is not the person, but rather God in the person. 

One place this concept is captured is in Paul’s prompt to the Roman Christians that they should keep their spiritual fervor up in service to the Lord (Romans 12:11).  Paul is telling them to keep God in their hearts as a motivator so that their enthusiasm, eagerness, fervor, zeal or passion will drive them to do things that are both inspiring and difficult (Romans 12:12-18).

You also see this enthusiasm in the life of David. Notice his enthusiasm in 1 Samuel 17:32-46.  In the very first verse of that passage, David implores King Saul that no one should lose heart (or enthusiasm) over the giant, Goliath.  David, an untrained youth, expressing a Godly enthusiasm for the reputation of God, and a belief that he will be protected volunteers to fight Goliath (1 Samuel 17:36-37). David then runs into battle and defeats the foe of God’s people, demonstrating both faith and enthusiasm.  God was in his heart and he proved victorious.

But notice which god motivates him during his greatest failure. In 2 Samuel 11:1-15 David is on his roof, but his army is at war.  Instead of fighting for God’s people in the armies of his nation, David is serving himself.  His enthusiasm is diverted from the service of God, to the beauty of Bathsheba.  When he serves the god of his own lusts, and impregnates his neighbor, his enthusiasm turns to killing Bathsheba’s husband in order to hide his own sin. 

The command that Paul gave to those Roman Christians (Romans 12:11) applies to us today.  If we want to have the kind of enthusiasm that we need to do those inspiring, wonderful, and difficult things then we will have to make God the source of our enthusiasm.  We can do this best by drawing near to God, and by stirring one another up toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:22-24).