"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today', that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13
Encouraging one another is a foundation asset to thriving as the body of Christ. We must remember that God never calls us to walk this Christian life alone. There is a reason Paul refers to us as members of ONE body rather than separate, individual bodies- because He understands that the only way we can stand firm in the faith and endure till the end is when we're functioning together in unity as a human body, encouraging one another daily, and being reminded of the truth in a world filled with deceitfulness.
But do we take care to DAILY check our hearts for unbelief and encourage one another in the faith?
Sadly, I cannot confidently say that the current body of Christ reflects the same selfless exhortation the founding church was so passionate about. Have we forgotten that we are God's army, waging war with darkness? Has the spiritual realm become that dim among our congregations that we instead only see through physical lens rather than supernatural ones?
Today I want to encourage us, like Paul says, on how we can better exhort one another and evaluate our hearts for unbelief so that we are kept from any deceitfulness that would cause us to fall away.
Here are 7 ways to encourage fellow believers daily:
1. Check Your Heart First
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Jeremiah 12:9-10
Before we can biblically go to a brother or sister in Christ and address sins, deceitfulness, jealousy, etc. we MUST make sure our hearts are in the right spot.
How do we do this? By praying and asking God to show us the truth about our hearts/intentions/motives/etc. in the season we're in. Paul says "Take care," meaning do not be lazy, careless, or ignorant about the straying of your heart.
2. Repent for any selfishness or unbelief
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sing against you."
Jeremiah 12: 9-10
If we desire to see other people change then we also need to be willing to say 'Hey, I'm struggling." Repentance isn't a one-time occurrence, but a daily practice we need to incorporate in our daily schedules.
Take a few minutes to acknowledge to the Lord about some sin you have hidden and that you greatly desire to in a series.
3. Find encouragement from fellow believers
"The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful."
Proverbs 12:5
Before you can encourage, you need to know how to BE encouraged, first by the voice of God and second by the body of Christ.
Ways to find encouragement:
✨ 1. Get involved with a group of believers that you trust and can confide in (church, school, work, etc.)
✨ 2. Pray the promises of God (Scripture) over you.
✨ 3. Read the stories in the Bible of people who have gone through similar situations like yours
4. Surround yourself with like-minded people whom you're striving to be like...
"Imitate me as I imitate Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:1-2
We become who we hang around. If we want to be more positive and joyful in the Lord then we need to surround ourselves with people who already walk in these positions.
5. Pray to see the God-given potential in people and declare that over them
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
Everyone has character flaws. If we want to love like Jesus, then we need to push aside the character flaws God may be working on in them and prophesy over them the purpose God has for them.
6. Boldly inspire them in their weaknesses and struggles
When we see a brother or sister in Christ struggling, I think it's selfish of us to pass by without any attempt to help. Look at the Good Samaritan story. Rather than think more highly of himself, he sought the protection and fulfillment of a fellow brother. He served his community with compassion and joy.
7. Comfort them with your presence
Your presence goes a long way! Even a simple hug can give someone the hope they need to keep going. Lean into Holy Spirit and let Him guide you as you search for opportunities to love others.
Comentários