Jim Elliot Quotes & Sayings

May 2 Numbers 6 The Nazarite was holy in three negative ways: (1) he must not touch the grape; (2) he must not cut his hair; (3) he must not touch a dead body. Were I to transopose such consecration into new testament parallels I suppose this would be the setup:
1. Grapes
the source of natural joy
that which makes glad the heart of man. This is denying oneself the allowable pleasures for the sake of a greater holiness.
2. The long hair of man is his shame. He must let it grow so that he becomes unashamed of shame
reproach bearing for God.
3. Seperation from evil in all their doings
yea,even from family pulls (v.7).
I know little of any of these. — Jim Elliot

Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living. — Jim Elliot

Children are arrows in a quiver, and they are to be trained as missionaries and shot at the Devil. — Jim Elliot

Rest in this - it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call ... It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond ... — Jim Elliot

It is true that a fellow cannot ignore women - but he can think of them as he ought - as sisters, not as sparring partners. — Jim Elliot

Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me. — Jim Elliot

Ah, how many Marahs have been sweetened by a simple, satisfying glimpse of the Tree and the Love which underwent its worst confict there. Yes, the Cross is the tree that sweetens the waters. 'Love never faileth. — Jim Elliot

As your life is in His hands, so are the days of your life. But don't let the sands of time get into the eye of your vision to reach those who sit in darkness. They simply must hear. — Jim Elliot

I pray that the Lord might crown this year with His goodness and in the coming one give you a hallowed dare-devil spirit in lifting the biting sword of Truth, consuming you with a passion that is called by the cultured citizen of Christendom 'fanaticism', but known to God as that saint-ly madness that led His Son through bloody sweat and hot tears to agony on a rude Cross
and Glory! — Jim Elliot

The shiny paint laid on by curiosity's hand has worn off. What thing better can a man know than the love of Christ, which passes knowledge? — Jim Elliot

In my own experience I have found that the most extravagant dreams of boyhood have not surpassed the great experience of being in the Will of God, and I believe that nothing could be better. That is not to say that I do not want other things, and other ways of living, and other places to see, but in my right mind I know that my hopes and plans for myself could not be any better than He has arranged and fulfilled them. Thus may we all find it, and know the truth of the Word which says, He will be our guide even until death. — Jim Elliot

Why do you need a voice when you have a verse? — Jim Elliot

None of it gets to be 'old stuff', for it is Christ in print, the Living Word. We wouldn't think of rising in the morning without a facewash, but we often neglect that purgative cleansing of the Word of the Lord. It wakes us up to our responsibility — Jim Elliot

No one warns young people to follow Adam's example. He waited till God saw his need. Then God made Adam sleep, prepared for his mate, and brought her to him. — Jim Elliot

Lord, make my way prosperous not that I achieve high station, but that my life be an exhibit to the value of knowing God. — Jim Elliot

I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you Lord Jesus. — Jim Elliot

It makes me boil when I think of the power we profess and the utter impotency of our action. Believers who know one-tenth as much as we do are doing one-hundred times more for God, with His blessing and our criticism. Oh if I could write it, preach it, say it, paint it, anything at all, if only God's power would become known among us. — Jim Elliot

It's hard to steer a parked car. — Jim Elliot

I do not know how to make a man think seriously about sin and judgment, and must look to the work of the Holy Spirit for any hint of such a working. — Jim Elliot

The will of God is always a bigger thing than we bargain for, but we must believe that whatever it involves, it is good, acceptable and perfect. — Jim Elliot

God, I pray light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn up for thee. — Jim Elliot

Lord, give me firmness without hardness, steadfastness without dogmatism, love without weakness. — Jim Elliot

Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God. — Jim Elliot

I have prayed for new men, fiery, reckless men, possesed of uncontrollably youthful passion - these lit by the Spirit of God. I have prayed for new words, explosive, direct, simple words. I have prayed for new miracles. Explaining old miracles will not do. If God is to be known as the God who does wonders in heaven and earth, then God must produce for this generation. Lord, fill preachers and preaching with Thy power. How long dare we go on without tears, without moral passions, hatred and love? Not long, I pray, Lord Jesus, not long ... — Jim Elliot

Our young men are going into the professional fields because they don't 'feel called' to the mission field. We don't need a call; we need a kick in the pants. We must begin thinking in terms of 'going out,' and stop our weeping because 'they won't come in.' Who wants to step into an igloo? The tombs themselves are not colder than the churches. May God send us forth. — Jim Elliot

I many no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must rather response to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be enjoyable or not. — Jim Elliot

So many missionaries, intent on doing something, forget that His main work is to make something of them ... — Jim Elliot

Father, let me be weak that I might loose my clutch on everything temporal. My life, my reputation, my possessions, Lord, let me loose the tension of the grasping hand. Even, Father, would I lose the love of fondling. How often I have released a grasp only to retain what I prized by 'harmless' longing, the fondling touch. Rather, open my hand to received the nail of Calvary, as Christ's was opened- that I, releasing all, might be released, unleashed from all that binds me now. He thought Heaven, yea, equality with God, not a thing to be clutched at. So let me release my grasp. — Jim Elliot

Always seek peace between your heart and God, but in this world, always be careful to remain ever-restless, never satisfied, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. — Jim Elliot

Desire is the putting of my will into God's concern. It's not a passive, sitting back in your easy chair, folding your arms sort of thing, which says, 'Well, I'm willing, if God would only give me a good swift kick and send me.' That's willingness all right. But God doesn't want willingness, He wants will! He wants your will put behind those desires. — Jim Elliot

Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth! — Jim Elliot

Missionaries are very human folks, simply a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt somebody. — Jim Elliot

Unwillingness to accept God's 'way of escape' from temptation frightens me - what a rebel yet resides within. — Jim Elliot

Birds are extremely valued as indicators of overall environmental health. If there's a problem in a wild bird population, it's indicative that something went wrong. — Jim Elliot

I have felt the impact of your prayer in these past weeks. I am certain now that nothing has had a more powerful infl uence on this life of mine than your prayers. — Jim Elliot

We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But we are "harmless," and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross. We are "sideliners"
coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous! — Jim Elliot

Dreams are tawdry when compared with the leading of God, and not worthy of the aura of wonder we usually surround them with. God only doeth wonders. He does nothing else. His hand can work nothing less. — Jim Elliot

Most laws condemn the soul and pronounce sentence. The result of the law of my God is perfect. It condemns but forgives. It restores - more than abundantly - what it takes away. — Jim Elliot

Eagles are very tolerant and very adaptable, but they have to get established first. When birds are setting up their breeding territory, they are the most susceptible to being discouraged. — Jim Elliot

Father, take my life, yea, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it, for it is not mine to save. Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world. Blood is only of value as it flows before Thine altar — Jim Elliot

Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God. — Jim Elliot

If we are the sheep of His pasture, remember that sheep are headed for the altar. — Jim Elliot

We best learn patience by practicing it. — Jim Elliot

I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man. — Jim Elliot

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. — Jim Elliot

God is still on His throne, we're still on His 'footstool,' and there's only a knee's distance between! — Jim Elliot

God always gives his best to those who leave the choice with him — Jim Elliot

What good are Greek, commentaries, insight, gift, and all the rest, if there is no heart for Christ? — Jim Elliot

Surely those who know the great passionate heart of Jehovah must deny their own loves to share in the expression of His. Consider the call from the Throne above, "Go ye," and from round about, "Come over and help us," and even the call from the damned souls below, "Send Lazarus to my brothers, that they come not to this place." Impelled, then, by these voices, I dare not stay home while Quichuas perish. So what if the well-fed church in the homeland needs stirring? They have the Scriptures, Moses, and the Prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is written on their bank books and in the dust on their Bible covers. American believers have sold their lives to the service of Mammon, and God has His rightful way of dealing with those who succumb to the spirit of Laodicea. — Jim Elliot

For my generation I must have the oracles of God in fresh terms. — Jim Elliot

Grieve not, then, if your sons seem to desert you, but rejoice, rather, seeing the will of God done gladly. — Jim Elliot

Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible, they were bored with it - while these never heard of such a thing as writing. — Jim Elliot

Live every day as if the Son of Man were at the door, and gear your thinking to the fleeting moment. Just how can it be redeemed? Walk as if the next step would carry you across the threshold of Heaven. Pray. That saint who advances on his knees never retreats. — Jim Elliot

Feast of Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr, the man who will not act until he knows all will never act at all. — Jim Elliot

He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose. — Jim Elliot

I pray for you, that all your misgivings will be melted to thanksgivings. Remember that the shadow a thing casts often far exceeds the size of the thing itself (especially if the light be low on the horizon) and though some future fear may strut brave darkness as you approach, the thing itself will be but a speck when seen from beyond. Oh that He would restore us often with that 'aspect from beyond,' to see a thing as He sees it, to remember that He dealeth with us as with sons. — Jim Elliot

The sound of 'gentle stillness' after all the thunder and wind have passed will the ultimate Word from God. — Jim Elliot

Ninety-five percent of our wool is going to China. — Jim Elliot

God deliver me from the dread asbestos of "other things." Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. — Jim Elliot

Singleness, simplicity, is required of me. One treasure, a single eye, and a sole Master! — Jim Elliot

Ps 119:89-91: The settled Word in Heaven makes for a solid foundation on earth and a safe path for today. — Jim Elliot

When the time comes to die, make sure that all you have to do is die! — Jim Elliot

I couldn't have asked for more than God in deliberate grace has surprised me with! — Jim Elliot