In the New Testament there are many verses that I like to call the “one another” verses. For example, we are called to “love one another,” “pray for one another,” “serve one another,” “ Be kind and compassionate to one another,” “forgive one another,” and many others. But the one, “one another” verse that we desperately need to put into action more in the body of Christ is to “encourage one another.”
(Hebrews 3:13) tells us: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” My friends we live in a world that is constantly bombarding us with negative messages – just turn on the evening news and you will see what I am talking about. People also love to share their problems with one another which often can bring us down.
Even in biblical times we see that the Israelites constantly grumbled against Moses during their 40-year wilderness wanderings for we read in (Numbers 14:2): “All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness!’” But in reality the Israelites were really grumbling against God! (Numbers 14:26-27) makes this crystal clear: “The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: ‘How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites.’” For you see if we are not encouraging each other usually we are doing just the opposite; which can have devastating effects. If you read the rest of (Numbers 14) you will see that except for Caleb and Joshua, all those age twenty and over never made it out of the wilderness into the promised land.
But as Christians we are told to encourage one another. One of the greatest lessons I have learned in my Christian walk is that contrary to what many think miracles don’t always motivate us but encouragement does. The Israelites saw many miracles before entering the wilderness and during their time in the wilderness but because they were discouraged they never fully trusted God and they never made it out alive. Remember the twelve spies who spied out the promised land. When they came back the vote was 10 to 2 not to go into the land because they said: “But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.” (Numbers 13:28). Only Caleb and Joshua said they were able to take the land. Can you imagine if the vote were 10 to 2 to go in and take the land – I believe this would have encouraged the Israelites greatly and they would have gone up to take possession of the land that God said He was going to give them.
Encouragement is such a powerful motivator because we are all wired to need positive affirmation and to be built up. And mutual encouragement allows the body of Christ to be more unified and excited about Jesus. Sincere compliments, acknowledging one’s worth as a person, and telling others they are special and loved, can not only make a person’s day but can help them accomplish great things for the Lord. Encouragement also speaks words of life into people’s hearts and makes us want to encourage others just as we have been encouraged. Encouragement builds us up, where the opposite – discouragement – tears us down.
Notice also in (Hebrews 3:13) it says to encourage one another daily. I have often said that yesterday’s encouragement is not enough for today. We need to encourage one another with a fresh dose of encouragement every day. And I have found that encouraging people to read the Bible every day is one of the most encouraging things we can ever do for a Christian. (Romans 15:4) says it so beautifully: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Reading the Bible can only help us grow closer to Jesus and learn valuable lessons from the past.
A truly encouraging Christian is a person people love to be around because they are constantly pointing you to Jesus and letting you know who you are in Christ. They will let you know that you are a child of God, a royal priesthood, a treasured possession to the Lord, the apple of God’s eye, and a joint-heir with Christ. They will also let you know to count your blessings, set your mind on things above, and have an attitude of gratitude at all times. And even when you are down they will tell you that the way to lift your spirits is to start praising God for they know that (Isaiah 61:3) says to put on: “…the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…”
Finally, even when an encouraging person shares some constructive criticism with you they do it in such a way that you really appreciate it because you know they really care about you.
So be an encourager and watch how God will use you to build up His kingdom and the body of Christ!