Persistence is a steadfast continuance in a course of action despite difficulties or opposition. In the Bible, persistence is often highlighted as a virtue that reflects faith, determination, and reliance on God. It is a quality that believers are encouraged to cultivate in their spiritual lives, as it is essential for growth, endurance, and achieving God's purposes.

Old Testament Examples

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of persistence. One notable figure is Noah, who demonstrated persistence in building the ark over many years despite the ridicule and disbelief of those around him. His unwavering commitment to God's command is a testament to his faith and perseverance (Genesis 6-9).

Another example is Jacob, who persisted in his desire for God's blessing. He wrestled with the angel of the Lord until daybreak, refusing to let go until he received a blessing. This act of persistence resulted in God changing his name to Israel, meaning "he struggles with God" (Genesis 32:24-28).

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of persistence in prayer. In the Parable of the Persistent Widow, Jesus illustrates how persistent prayer can lead to justice and answers from God. The widow's relentless pursuit of justice from an unjust judge serves as a model for believers to persist in prayer and not lose heart (Luke 18:1-8). Jesus concludes the parable by saying, "And will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?" (Luke 18:7).

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the value of persistence in the Christian life. In his letter to the Romans, he encourages believers to be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer" (Romans 12:12). Paul himself exemplified persistence through his missionary journeys, enduring hardships, persecution, and imprisonment for the sake of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Spiritual Persistence

Persistence is not only about enduring external challenges but also about maintaining spiritual disciplines. The early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). This steadfastness in spiritual practices helped the early Christians grow in faith and unity.

The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to "run with endurance the race set out for us" by fixing their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). This metaphor of a race underscores the need for persistence in the Christian journey, as believers are called to persevere in their faith despite trials and temptations.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers to persist. Through the Spirit, Christians receive strength and encouragement to continue in their faith. Paul prays for the Colossians to be "strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that you may have full endurance and patience" (Colossians 1:11). The Spirit's work in the believer's life is essential for cultivating the fruit of persistence.

Conclusion

Persistence is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, reflecting a deep trust in God's promises and a commitment to His purposes. Through biblical examples and teachings, believers are encouraged to persist in prayer, spiritual disciplines, and their walk with God, relying on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.1. (n.) Staying or continuing quality; doggedness; obstinacy.

2. (n.) The continuance of an effect after the cause which first gave rise to it is removed

3. (n.) The persistence of motion.

4. (n.) Visual persistence, or persistence of the visual impression; auditory persistence, etc.

335. anaideia -- shamelessness
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: anaideia Phonetic Spelling: (an-ah'-ee-die-ah')
Short Definition: shamelessness, shameless persistence Definition: shamelessness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/335.htm - 7k

1961. epimeno -- to stay on
... 1961 (from 1909 , ", fitting," which intensifies 3306 , "remain, persist") --
properly, on with persistence that the objective. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1961.htm - 8k

Persistence of Thwarted Love
... D.; ST. MATTHEW Chaps. XVIII to XXVIII PERSISTENCE OF THWARTED LOVE. 'If so be
that he find it.'"Matthew 18:13. 'Until he find it.'"Luke 15:4. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/persistence of thwarted love.htm

Whether Perseverance is a virtue?
... ii) that "perseverance is the fixed and continued persistence in a well-considered
purpose." Therefore perseverance is not a special virtue, but a condition of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether perseverance is a virtue.htm

Prayer Concerns Three.
... The great essential in prayer is persistence. ... The second intense truth is this:"the
winning quality in prayer is persistence. The final test is here. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/prayer concerns three.htm

First Tractate.
... Let us suppose this persistence to be the result of the all-inclusiveness of the
celestial and universal " with its consequence, the absence of any outlying ...
//christianbookshelf.org/plotinus/the six enneads/first tractate 2.htm

Prayer and Importunity (Continued)
... Importunity is made up of intensity, perseverance, patience and persistence. ... His
persistence won where half-hearted indifference would surely have failed. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vii prayer and importunity continued.htm

Two Forms of one Saying
... that there is a banded conspiracy, as it were, against them, and that they have
to fight their way by continual antagonism, by continual persistence, as well ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two forms of one saying.htm

How to Pray
... their wish. He does give them a model prayer, and He adds encouragements
to pray which inculcate confidence and persistence. The ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/how to pray.htm

Lo! the Evil one Reproached Death
... sureties."25. With persistence for strength, I wage my war: and if I neglect
but a little, my sway is naught."26. By continual ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lv lo the evil.htm

Whether a Man Can Sin First of all against the Holy Ghost?
... the Holy Ghost to denote final impenitence, it does not regard the question in point,
because this sin against the Holy Ghost requires persistence in sin until ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man can sin.htm

The Follies of the Wise
... Audacity, resource, secrecy, promptitude, persistence, skill of hand, and a hundred
others, are put into play before a man can break into your back kitchen and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the follies of the wise.htm

Persistence (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The persistence of motion. 4. (n.) Visual persistence, or persistence of
the visual impression; auditory persistence, etc. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/persistence.htm - 7k

Persistency (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) The persistence of motion. 4. (n.) Visual persistence, or persistence of
the visual impression; auditory persistence, etc. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/persistency.htm - 7k

Elamarna
... PHILOLOGICAL VALUE 1. Knowledge of Amorite, Hittite and Mitannian Tongues 2.
Persistence of Canaanite Names to the Present Time 3. Verification of Biblical ...
/e/elamarna.htm - 31k

Tablets (31 Occurrences)
... PHILOLOGICAL VALUE 1. Knowledge of Amorite, Hittite and Mitannian Tongues 2.
Persistence of Canaanite Names to the Present Time 3. Verification of Biblical ...
/t/tablets.htm - 41k

El-amarna
... PHILOLOGICAL VALUE 1. Knowledge of Amorite, Hittite and Mitannian Tongues 2.
Persistence of Canaanite Names to the Present Time 3. Verification of Biblical ...
/e/el-amarna.htm - 31k

Tell (3056 Occurrences)
... PHILOLOGICAL VALUE 1. Knowledge of Amorite, Hittite and Mitannian Tongues 2.
Persistence of Canaanite Names to the Present Time 3. Verification of Biblical ...
/t/tell.htm - 33k

Perseverance (27 Occurrences)
... (see BACKSLIDE.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) Persistence under harsh conditions;
continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun. ...
/p/perseverance.htm - 18k

Persisted (8 Occurrences)

/p/persisted.htm - 9k

Needs (85 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:8 I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is
his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as ...
/n/needs.htm - 30k

Unwearied (5 Occurrences)
... and entreaty on every fitting occasion in the Spirit, and be always on the alert
to seize opportunities for doing so, with unwearied persistence and entreaty ...
/u/unwearied.htm - 8k

What does the Bible say about persistence? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of importunity? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Friend in Need (Persistent Neighbor)? | GotQuestions.org

Persistence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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