May God help each of us to be helping the rest of us to have a safe opportunity for spiritual and intellectual growth. So reading books is amazing.
This is a book about grit, the power and passion of perseverance. We're going to see if this book lines up with Scripture.
Chapter 1: Talent and Effort Reimagined
So chapter 1 asserts the talent counts, but effort counts twice. And Duckworth, the author, claims that talent, multiplied by effort, equals skill. And skill, multiplied by effort, equals achievement.
What says the Bible?
Affirm. Proverbs 22: "Seeest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men or average people. He will be with leaders."
Challenging: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace, which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I. But the grace of God, which was with me, did the laboring abundantly come one."
Talent. Effort. Plug into the grace of God.
So the biblical wisdom is, while Scripture affirms diligent effort, it roots all ability and achievement in God's grace, deep in abiding. Our talents are gifts from God. Our efforts succeed only through His enablement. So the formula becomes God's grace multiplied by faithful stewardship equals kingdom impact 😊
Chapter 2: Passion's True Nature
Comparing the best of the world's wisdom with Scripture. Passion is about consistency, not intensity. So Duckworth, the author, claims that passion is sustained interest over time, not temporary emotional fireworks.
What says God?
Affirm, Galatians 6: "And let us not be weary in well-doing for induced season. We shall reap if we faint not."
Deeper wisdom: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind, and lastly, or simultaneously, with all thy strength."
Biblical Insights: Scripture calls for passionate consistency, not lukewarm dedication, but sustained, wholehearted devotion. Abraham's friendship with God spanned several decades of faithful obedience. Not just emotional highs. Enoch walked with the Lord daily, generationally, for over 100 years.
Chapter 3: How Grit Grows
Duckworth says, "Grit grows." Her claim is that grit is developed through experience, struggle, and choice.
Scripture's perspective strongly affirms: "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope, hope make it not ashamed," support, James, "but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing" - that means brought to maturity, perfected.
Biblical truth: Scripture sees struggle as essential for spiritual growth. God uses trials to develop endurance, to form our character, and to give us hope. The Christian life is designed for growth through perseverance, not around it. It's not deliver me, it's carry me through the battle, for I am wounded. We are being changed from glory to glory.
Chapter 4: Purpose Before Interest
Number 4, chapter. Interest comes first, then practice, then purpose. According to the Duck-Wa-Duckworth, according to the Duck-Wa-Duckworth path, first the person is curious, they're interested, then they practice, and then they develop purpose.
But what says the Scripture?
We challenge this concept. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that one, love God, and to them who too are the called, according to His purpose."
So we're not necessarily supposed to discover just our own interest and through that find purpose, but first we find purpose.
So the redirect here is the light thyself also, which means He initiated it. The Delight thyself reciprocally, or in response, or in measure back. Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
So according to Scripture, there is a reversal of this order. Our purpose, God's calling, is first, then our interest align with His as we delight in Him. So our curiosity and passion are gifts to be surrendered under divine purpose, not starting points, for self-directed achievement.
Chapter 5: Excellence in Practice
Chapter number next one, deliberate practice, beats just showing up. Duckworth's claim: "Growth requires focused effort, feedback and discomfort."
Scripture says, 2 Timothy 2:15: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Yes.
Colossians 3:23: "And whatsoever you do, do it artiller, as to the Lord and not unto men."
So the Bible standard: Scripture demands not just deliberate practice, but wholehearted effort. 100% of intellectual engagement, 100% emotionally present, 100% of my soul in the activity and all strength poured into the service to God and others. Average people operate at half effort. Our God calls for complete dedication. Devotion through death.
Chapter 6: Culture Shapes Character
Number six, grit can be cultivated through culture. Duckworth claims that environment shapes our perseverance. We become like those around us. Choose the right teammates.
What says the Scripture?
Proverbs 13:20: "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."
Here's a warning, 1 Corinthians 15: "Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners."
Following patterns, we sink and are susceptible to the patterns demonstrated around us. Culture is emphatic about choosing companions carefully. The culture we participate in either builds or destroys our character. Intentional fellowship with godly people is essential for spiritual growth. It's a team sport. Be a good sheep.
Chapter 7: The Great Commission - Ultimate Purpose
Number seven. Purpose makes perseverance worthwhile. So Duckworth's question is, "Grit requires believing your work matters beyond self."
What says the Bible?
Transcending self is phenomenal. So I love God loves, and you love, the Great Commission. It actually starts back in verse 10. Then said Jesus unto them. So who said it? Good answer. Be not afraid. Why did He say that? Because our natural tendency? Fear. So we're going to place fear. Be not afraid. Go. Hmm. That's the first time go. Go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee and there shall they see me. Go.
See. Hmm. Hmm.
Holy Spirit. Let it matter. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them, and when they saw Him, they worshiped Him, why? Because He's God, that's why. But some doubted, there we go. Some of the 11 doubt why, what? No, huh?
They doubt, why, you doubted? You're seeing the risen Lord.
So they doubted, this is the But Jesus came. Why? Because they doubted. Jesus came and spake. Why? Because some doubted. Jesus came and spake unto them. Why? Because some doubted. Jesus came and spake unto them saying all power. Why? Because they were doubting. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Don't doubt. Go ye there for it. Why? Because I have the power and teach all nations. Why? I have the power. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son of the Holy Ghost. Why? Because they first believed on me who has all power.
The same sentence continues on. That is not the end of the sentence. God believes that we are intelligent enough to listen all the way through to the end. He says teaching them, that's discipleship. To observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you and lo, I am with you all way. I'll be right here so you don't have to doubt. You don't have to doubt. I'm with you always even under the end of the world.
Where are we going? We're going to the end of the world. Amen.
This is the greatest commission by the greatest commander for the greatest purpose for the greatest good, transcending self.
What empowers that commission? "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul, all thy mind all thy strength and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy whole self." The great commandment is the fuel behind the great commission.
The biblical truth: Scripture provides the ultimate purpose. The great commission empowered by the great commandment. Every single believer has a divine personal mandate that transcends personal achievement. This His purpose makes any perseverance worthwhile because salvation has eternal significance. Amen.
Chapter 8: Failure as a Pathway
Number eight, failure is not the opposite of success. It's along the same pathway. Duck where it's claimed failure is inseparable from growth and should be viewed with curiosity, not shame.
Oh, I got a pause. Maybe you'll have to read this. Just let the read this yourself at the end here. It's on the screen. "A just man the seven times and rises up again but the wicked fall into mischief."
Thank you. Stay tuned. We'll continue doing book reviews as God empowers us.
See that last verse though: "Whereunto I also labor striving according to His working which worketh in me mightily." It's not about self-powered labor. Grit is not it.
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