Stablish
Stablish.
“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Paul writes to the church of Thessalonica here requesting prayer and that the people of the church wouldn’t be lazy and that they would stand strong in their faith.
The word stablish is translated from the Greek word sterizo - which means to stand firm, set, strengthen or to confirm. It’s where we get our word establish from.
It’s easy to get complacent in every day tasks and responsibilities. The mundane repetition of some jobs can make it all-to-easy. Our complacency and repetitiveness can affect our Christian walk as well. Bible readings and devotions become routine. Prayer becomes cyclic. Before you know it we lessen the value of these things and worry more about other things.
Paul wanted the people of the church to avoid laziness and idleness because it would invite the devil. He wanted them to stand strong as believers and to live in the light of Jesus Christ.
Laziness invites evil. This is what Paul was trying to tell them. Doing God’s work is not passive, it requires effort, energy and focus. Paul tells the church that when you become lazy - you become disorderly and become busybodies. Worship and work are to be intentional.
This isn’t to say that you aren’t allowed to rest or take time off or to be exhausted. We’ve all been there. Rest is needed. Time away from work is needed. However, God deserves our constant attention.
The closer we get to God, the harder the devil will work. When we let up on our relationship with God, it’s easier for the devil to enter.
As long as we keep focused on Christ, He promises to keep us from evil.
“And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 3:4-5
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 KJV
“And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.”
2 Thessalonians 3:14-16