Are You Encouraging or Discouraging?
It’s time to stop
all the negativity! Between hearing recent stories of tragedy with constant
blaming going on in the news, all the political mayhem that fills our TVs,
radios, newspapers and family or workplace discussions, and even down to simply listening to people around you throughout the day… I have
been reminded of how easily pessimism sneaks in to our conversations each day.
I’m sure that I am not the only one who has experienced similar reminders like
this recently. Never the less, it genuinely makes me sad to see that so many Christians, specifically, are so hurtful and anything but edifying.
I am, by no means, completely innocent of these things. However, this is just a simple reminder of the words we find in Scripture about encouragement.
I hope these passages touch your heart in such a way that you, too, will be
encouraged to not be drawn into slanderous speech. My prayer is that by reading
and memorizing these passages we will, instead, be uplifting, challenging with
a gentle spirit, and that our words will be edifying to those around us… no
matter what the topic of conversation is!
“9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that,
whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore
encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1
Thess 5:9-11
“12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a
sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none
of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to
share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very
end.” Hebrews 3:12-14
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians
4:4-5
“29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that
it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
AMEN! AMEN!
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