--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We should get into the way of appearing…" description: "\"“We should get into the way of appearing lively in religion, more by being lively in the service of God and our generation than by the liveliness and f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/jonathan-edwards-770_business_we-should-get-into-the-way-of-appearing_1798055.png" --- # We should get into the way of appearing lively in… ![“We should get into the way of appearing lively in religion, more by being lively in the service of God and our generation than by the liveliness and forwardness of our tongues, and making a business of proclaiming on the house tops with our mouths the holy and eminent acts and exercises of our own…” quote by Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/jonathan-edwards-770_business_we-should-get-into-the-way-of-appearing_1798055.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/jonathan-edwards-770_business_we-should-get-into-the-way-of-appearing_1798055.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/jonathan-edwards-770_business_we-should-get-into-the-way-of-appearing_1798055.png) > ““We should get into the way of appearing lively in religion, more by being lively in the service of God and our generation than by the liveliness and forwardness of our tongues, and making a business of proclaiming on the house tops with our mouths the holy and eminent acts and exercises of our own hearts. Christians that are intimate friends would talk together of their experiences and comforts in a manner better becoming Christian humility and modesty, and more to each other's profit: their tongues not running before, but rather going behind their hands and feet, after the prudent example of the blessed apostle, 2 Cor. xii. 6. Many occasions of spiritual pride would thus be cut off, and so a great door shut against the devil. A great many of the main stumbling-blocks against experimental and powerful religion would be removed, and religion would be declared and manifested in such a way that, instead of hardening spectators, and exceedingly promoting infidelity and atheism, it would, above all things, tend to convince men that there is a reality in religion, and greatly awaken them, and win them, by convincing their consciences of the importance and excellency of religion. Thus the light of professors would so shine before men, that others, seeing their good works, would glorify their Father which is in heaven.”” [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True religious vitality comes from humble, lived practice rather than boastful preaching, fostering genuine humility and spiritual growth. **In simple terms:** Humility in faith beats loud preaching. Key Takeaway Practice faith quietly and serve others. Themes humility faith community spirituality Mood contemplative serious Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - church gatherings - small group study - personal devotion - public speaking Key Concepts practical piety social humility apostolic example Questions to Reflect On - How can humility coexist with bold witness? - What practices keep faith authentic? A Different Perspective Risk of being too passive, missing bold proclamation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appearing Lively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appearing-lively-2006478/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Christian humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-humility/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Great man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-man/) [Hands and feet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands-and-feet/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Humility Modesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility-modesty-327333/) [Lively Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lively-religion-2006476/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion Lively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-lively-2006477/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) [Spiritual pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-pride/) [Witness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witness/) ## Related quotes > [“Spiritual pride tends to speak of other persons’ sins with bitterness or with laughter and levity and an air of contempt. 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Christians that are intimate friends would talk together of their experiences and comforts in a manner better becoming Christian humility and modesty, and more to each other's profit: their tongues not running before, but rather going behind their hands and feet, after the prudent example of the blessed apostle, 2 Cor. xii. 6. Many occasions of spiritual pride would thus be cut off, and so a great door shut against the devil. A great many of the main stumbling-blocks against experimental and powerful religion would be removed, and religion would be declared and manifested in such a way that, instead of hardening spectators, and exceedingly promoting infidelity and atheism, it would, above all things, tend to convince men that there is a reality in religion, and greatly awaken them, and win them, by convincing their consciences of the importance and excellency of religion. 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