Philippians 1:7 “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”
This week, Michael writes that to encourage means to build up, and to fill with inspiration, reassurance, hope and blessing. Webster’s dictionary defines the word “encourage” as: To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit. An encourager is one who is called alongside to deliver a timely word of kindness. Encouragement inspires us not to give up and give in. Philemon was an example of an encourager. An individual is never more Christ-like than when he encourages a brother or sister who is discouraged, beaten down, and burdened by the tribulation and chaos of this world. Blessed is the person who inspires, stimulates, and influences others to take heart.
One of the main purposes of the Holy Spirit is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. In times of struggle, when a man or woman is broken and repentant before the Lord, God will lift them up. The Bible tells us that light affliction of this present time is not to be compared with the glory that shall follow. In other words, the best is yet to come; infinitely better. God will remind us through a brother or sister in Christ that despite the pain, God [our Provider and Sustainer] has each of us in His own intensive care.
A word of forgiveness and grace is a word of encouragement. According to Philippians 2:2, “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” We’re encouraged to be of the same mind as Jesus Christ himself. Jesus let nothing be done out of strife and contention or for his own vain glory. The Bible tells us that He took upon himself the form of a servant and became obedient to his Father, even unto his death on the cross. Jesus although he was God’s only begotten son, served and encouraged those whom God had called Him to minster to.
Philippians 2:3-4 tell us, “Do nothing through vain conceit but look everyone to the needs of others to lift them up according to God’s grace.” James chapter 3 talks about the tongue. The tongue can be used as a knife to figuratively cut down others. It’s better to do what the Bible says in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” But, a critical spirit will kill any relationship.
James 1:19 instructs us, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 3:6 says that the tongue can be like a flame set on fire by hell itself. It will engulf and consume anything in its path. You cannot take an unkind word spoken back. When the flesh is defensive, the mouth will speak from the abundance of the heart. These destructive words will destroy godly relationships. When you have a “short fuse”, it’s open mouth and insert foot.
Let's continue Michael's message in the next post. In Christ, Brian
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