Words That Build Up and Benefit

I’m reading a book titled Encouragement by two of my favorite authors:  Dr. Larry Crabb and Dr. Dan Allender.   I’ve just started and want to share some highlights with you.  God has impressed upon my heart that I want to be an encourager.  I want to speak words that build up and benefit others, words that give them hope and let them know that they are highly valued by God and others.

Paul tells us in Eph. 4:29  “not to 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.”

Speaking encouraging words is not just merely saying nice things to people, but rather, it depends upon the motivation that lies behind those words.  Are we speaking them just to make ourselves look good or are we truly interested in ministering to the listener?  Are we thinking of their needs above our own?

A pure motivation can only come through “unhurried moments of serious contemplation, guided and controlled by the Spirit speaking through Scripture.  This is an absolute prerequisite in discerning and straightening out our motivation. We must become sensitively alert to our real goal as we interact with people.  Otherwise we cannot be obedient to Paul’s command to be governed by the motive to minister.”  Pg. 50

Like you, there are some relationships I have that are challenging.  My prayer is that in those relationships, I might be an encourager.  Someone whose motivation in these relationships is based upon their needs, not mine.  Only the Holy Spirit can lead and empower me to do this.  Come Spirit, come.