It's easy to pour cold water on someone's enthusiasm. You can find ways to shake the confidence of most people. You might even be able to bury a person under an avalanche of criticism.
The Bible, however, speaks about Christian edification and encouragement and comfort. "Therefore, comfort one another with these words" (1 Thess.4:18). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2 Cor.1:3-5).
Also- Throughout the book of Acts, we read of a Christian who could be described as "Mr. Encouragement". According to Acts 4:36, the apostles called him 'Barnabas', which means 'son of encouragement'. In chapter 9, Barnabas encouraged the other apostles to accept the newly converted Saul. In chapter 11:23, Barnabas was ‘glad’ about the grace of God and therefore encouraged the Christians in Antioch to "continue with the Lord."
Observe, Barnabas affirmed other members of the Body of Christ. He wasn't eager to attack them or grind them down by exercising an unscriptural 'gift of discouragement'. He didn't go after the faults of other Christians like a school of piranha sensing blood. In fact, he vouched for the integrity of Saul, despite the man's well-earned pre-conversion record of persecuting the church.
Observe also, Mr. Encouragement exhorted Christians to 'continue with the Lord'. The giving of true encouragement does not inspire laziness. Words of genuine encouragement spark actions of obedience to the Lord of our salvation.
We can learn a few things from the example and character of Barnabas. Without resorting to insincere flattery, we can find a positive quality in a fellow Christian and tell him/her about it. Even if it becomes necessary to correct another believer, such correction can be given in a spirit of gentle encouragement, instead of an outpouring of eager criticism.
And: We ourselves can be glad and encouraged whenever we see the grace of God at work in the lives of Christ's people.
The Bible, however, speaks about Christian edification and encouragement and comfort. "Therefore, comfort one another with these words" (1 Thess.4:18). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2 Cor.1:3-5).
Also- Throughout the book of Acts, we read of a Christian who could be described as "Mr. Encouragement". According to Acts 4:36, the apostles called him 'Barnabas', which means 'son of encouragement'. In chapter 9, Barnabas encouraged the other apostles to accept the newly converted Saul. In chapter 11:23, Barnabas was ‘glad’ about the grace of God and therefore encouraged the Christians in Antioch to "continue with the Lord."
Observe, Barnabas affirmed other members of the Body of Christ. He wasn't eager to attack them or grind them down by exercising an unscriptural 'gift of discouragement'. He didn't go after the faults of other Christians like a school of piranha sensing blood. In fact, he vouched for the integrity of Saul, despite the man's well-earned pre-conversion record of persecuting the church.
Observe also, Mr. Encouragement exhorted Christians to 'continue with the Lord'. The giving of true encouragement does not inspire laziness. Words of genuine encouragement spark actions of obedience to the Lord of our salvation.
We can learn a few things from the example and character of Barnabas. Without resorting to insincere flattery, we can find a positive quality in a fellow Christian and tell him/her about it. Even if it becomes necessary to correct another believer, such correction can be given in a spirit of gentle encouragement, instead of an outpouring of eager criticism.
And: We ourselves can be glad and encouraged whenever we see the grace of God at work in the lives of Christ's people.
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