The old country song closes with the words, “Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day.” Many of you will remember the song “Home on the Range,” written by Daniel Kelley and Dr. Brewster Higley back in the 1940s, which became a classic. It sang of a place in time where everything was good, and the only words one heard were supportive and encouraging. A mythical place, to be sure, but it showed how desperately everyone needs to be encouraged!
It’s been close to 70 years since that song became popular, but it still makes sense to us today. I learned of the need for “an encouraging word” many years ago, during my time at one of my earlier churches, where I served as Pastor. I had begun to complain about everything, almost every day; at some point, my wife merely suggested that we might be better off if I quit complaining all the time! She was right, of course; I needed to hear encouraging words, and I needed to speak encouraging words – my wife needed to listen to them!
Interestingly, the Bible teaches us this very thought: “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
Here are a few emphases of the larger passage, which contains verse 29:
Encouraging words build others up. “That it may give grace to those who hear.” v.29 People need to be built up by fellow Christians
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Encouraging words reflect Christian experience. “Just as God in Christ has forgiven you.” v. 32 Our faith in Jesus gives us the joy of forgiveness and salvation, and a reason for hope in life.
Encouraging words please God. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” v.30 Out of love and respect towards God, we are to speak in ways that will honor God and bring glory to Him. God feels the pain of our sin and depravity!
So here is an obvious way God wants us to relate to others: Let us all speak an encouraging word, seeking the best in life. When we are obedient to God’s teachings in scripture, we build others up, encourage them in the hard times of this life, and serve to give people hope, based upon the truth that God is always at work in every situation. There is a reason to be encouraged!
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