How to Be a Carrier of Encouragement

July 8, 2022

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, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

1. RESIST NEGATIVITY. Words are powerful. They can contain either hurt or healing and they can contribute to someone’s suffering or to someone’s cure. The Greek word for unwholesome in Ephesians is translated as “rot.” So, just like the expression “one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch,” one complaining person can contaminate a whole group of people.

The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! James 3:5

2. SPEAK LIFE TO OTHERS. We can use our energy to articulate the problem, or we can use our brain power to speak encouragement to one another. Our words can start a raging fire of strife or they can fan the flames of each other’s calling. Listen to the Holy Spirit for what He wants you to say “according to the need of the moment!”

3. EXPECT GOOD THINGS. In Numbers 13, the people of Israel had a whole list of reasons why it was impossible to advance into the Promised Land. But Caleb had a different spirit and spoke with faith and expectancy: “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). Decide to be a carrier of hope and gladness and reinforce the promises of God to those around you!

God Bless You!
Pastor Jeff

DAILY CONFESSION:
Since life and death are in the power of the tongue, I choose to speak life over my day! The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). The Lord is my light and salvation; I will fear no one (Psalm 27:1). No weapon formed against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). God knows the plans He has for me, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

ed·i·fy, verb.
To build; establish. To instruct in such a way as to improve, enlighten, or uplift morally, spiritually, or intellectually.

Copyright © 2022 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. “Edify.” YourDictionary, LoveToKnow, https://www.yourdictionary.com/edify. Accessed 30 Jun. 2022.