The Power of True Encouragement: Speaking Truth, Inspiring Obedience, and Strengthen

When was the last time you received genuine encouragement from another believer? Can you recall a specific conversation or interaction that left you feeling uplifted and inspired? Or perhaps you struggle to remember a time when you felt truly encouraged. It's possible that many of us misunderstand what true encouragement is and how it can impact our lives.

In our modern usage of the term, encouragement often equates to comfort or affirmation. We might hear phrases like, "You did a great job on that project" or "You're an amazing mother." While these words can bring temporary comfort, they lack the depth and power of true biblical encouragement. Genuine encouragement goes beyond shallow affirmation and instead cultivates humility, courage, and above all, hope in God.

Flattery vs. True Encouragement

It's important to differentiate between flattery and true encouragement. Flattery may appear pleasant on the surface, but it can be detrimental to our souls. Proverbs 29:5 warns us that "A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet." Flattery is not harmless; it ruins lives. It is a deceptive strategy that caters to the flatterer's own desires for approval, power, or personal gain. It preys on the naive and can lead to ruin.

The apostle Paul despised flattery because he understood its destructive nature. In Romans 16:18, he warns that flatterers do not serve the Lord but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with their smooth talk and flattery. Flattery distorts the truth, inflates egos, and avoids confronting sin and error.

So, how can we distinguish true encouragement from flattery?

How God Encourages Us

Fortunately, God not only provides us with instructions and examples of genuine encouragement in Scripture but also demonstrates how to encourage others. When Moses died and Joshua was appointed as his successor, God personally encouraged Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. In Joshua 1:6-7, 9, God imparts strength and courage to Joshua, saying, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go... Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

God's encouragement to Joshua is far more powerful and compelling than mere flattery. It is rooted in truth, obedience, and hope in God. Let's explore these three aspects of true encouragement:

1. Tells the Truth: True encouragement is grounded in honesty. Unlike flattery, which often exaggerates or distorts the truth, genuine encouragement tells it as it is. We can trust that God is telling the truth to Joshua because He cannot lie. When God says, "You shall cause this people to inherit the land," we can be certain that it will happen exactly as He said. Similarly, when we encourage others, we must resist the temptation to hide what may be difficult or uncomfortable. We should avoid exaggeration and instead speak the truth in love, affirming what is commendable without indulging or stimulating pride.

2. Aims at Obedience: True encouragement goes beyond empty affirmation and aims at inspiring obedience to God. In Joshua's case, God instructed him to be careful to obey all the laws given by Moses. This kind of encouragement is not just about facing opposition or overcoming fears, but about trusting and obeying all that God commands. Similarly, the apostle Paul prays for the Thessalonians, asking God to comfort their hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). Genuine encouragement motivates us to live out our faith and obey God's commands, even when it's difficult.

3. Strengthens Hope in God: True encouragement strengthens our hope in God, not in ourselves. God assures Joshua, "Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Flattery often makes us feel self-sufficient and downplays our need for God. But genuine encouragement reminds us that apart from God, we can do nothing. It directs our hope and trust to Him, acknowledging His presence and His power to help us in every situation. Real encouragement says, "You can do this because God will be with you."

Take Heart

God not only provides us with examples of true encouragement in Scripture but also demonstrates it Himself through Jesus. Even in the face of betrayal and impending suffering, Jesus took the time to encourage His disciples. He told them the truth about their weaknesses and the challenges they would face, but also assured them of His presence and victory. In John 16:32-33, Jesus says, "Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Jesus' encouragement was not about boosting their self-confidence but about directing their hope and trust to Him. He promised to be with them and reminded them of His victory over the world. His words inspired obedience and encouraged them to persevere in the midst of trials.

We all need this kind of honest, hopeful, and God-centered encouragement in our lives. It's something we should strive to give and receive regularly as we follow Jesus. Hebrews 3:13 and 10:24-25 urge us to encourage one another daily and gather together to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. True encouragement should lead to growth, obedience, and a deeper love for God and His word.

In conclusion, true encouragement goes beyond shallow affirmation and flattery. It tells the truth, inspires obedience to God, and strengthens our hope in Him. As believers, we have the privilege and responsibility to encourage one another in these ways. Let's be intentional about speaking the truth in love, inspiring obedience, and directing one another's hope and trust to God. Remember, someone you know may need that kind of encouragement today.