Monica Hill looks at the spiritual gift of 'encouragement' - a gift which not only lifts others up and builds up the Body of Christ, but also blesses those who give it.

'...if it is encouraging, let him encourage...'

Like all the gifts listed in Romans 12, encouragement is given to build up the Body of Christ and cannot be used in isolation from other people. The gifts that follow in this list ("contributing, leadership and mercy"), although they can be used in a natural way, all need the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to reach their fulfilment.

We need to be exercising these no longer in "the pattern of the world, but by the renewing of your mind" (Rom 12:2), so that we can see things God's way and embrace Kingdom values rather than worldly ones.

Biblical Examples

There are plenty of biblical stories of encouragement. God instructed Moses in Deuteronomy 1:28: "commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see."

David encouraged Joab in 2 Samuel 11:25, by sending a message: "Say this to Joab: 'Don't let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.' Say this to encourage Joab."

In 2 Samuel 19:7, Joab exhorted David: "Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come upon you from your youth till now."

God desired to encourage Job (16:5): "But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief."

In the New Testament, "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers." (Acts 15:32). Paul obviously saw this gift of encouraging in Tychicus as he sent him to both the Ephesians (6:22) and the Colossians (4:8), and he also sent Timothy to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 3:2). Paul was always encouraging the body of believers in Thessalonica to build each other up (1 Thess 4:18, 5:11, 5:14; 2 Thess 2:17).

The writer of Hebrews advocated "encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (3:13). This is emphasised even more in 10:25: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching".

Jesus is the ultimate example as he encouraged and built up the most unlikely of people. Without his encouragement during his time on earth and the support of the Holy Spirit following Pentecost, Peter and a number of other disciples would have stayed fishermen and Matthew remained a tax collector, rather than leading a worldwide movement as strong advocates of the Gospel.

Paul would also have remained a persecutor of the church rather than the missionary to the Gentiles. Jesus saw the potential in individuals and both taught and encouraged them to live their lives to the full with a real purpose. He continues to encourage those who are weak, believing in them and trusting them. He sets standards and rebukes where necessary, as well as encouraging, and he is calling upon us to do likewise.

Jesus sees the potential in individuals and both teaches and encourages them to live their lives to the full, with a real purpose.

Responsibilities of Leaders

Paul's instructions in 2 Timothy (4:2) were "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction". Teaching is seen as primarily encouraging and rebuking – "to encourage others by sound doctrine and to refute those who oppose it" (Titus 1:9, 2:15) and self-control is also to be encouraged!

So What About Us?

Never underestimate the value of words of encouragement that you can give to others. It shows that you understand where they are and what they need to hear – especially when they are feeling low and misunderstood. It shows you are giving your support and will give them confidence to go forward; it can build them up, uplift and inspire them to believe that they can do something and that they have the potential to make a success of the life that God has given them.

Never underestimate the value of words of encouragement that you can give others.

From my own experience, I have seen the change it makes in an obese child who had given up on physical exercise to be encouraged to try something new and finding they could do it; or the confidence it gives to make the child no-one wants on their team, captain for the day. Each child began to believe in themselves with this encouragement and grew towards the potential which was latent. If a word or small act like these give encouragement, how much more can we help change the world if we have this gift and practise it wisely?

Finally

Isaiah 1:17 tells us to "learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow".

We all know that we need encouragement at various stages in our life – especially when we feel low or depressed. Our Lord hears "the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry" (Psa 10:17).

God is a very present help in our own times of need. We need the reassurance that God remains the same - faithful, loving and powerful - through changes big and small.

Ask God to give you this gift of encouragement and exercise it daily: encourage others and be encouraged.

If you have any other comments on 'encouragement' as a spiritual gift, please do add them below.

References

1 Quote selection from here.