Encourage One Another 2
“But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13)
Encouragement literally means to infuse with courage or put courage into. We all need encouragement and one of the best ways to know that you’ll receive is to be one that gives it at every opportunity.
As we continue with the “one another” commands we find several in the book of Hebrews. Most Biblical scholars will agree that this is, along with Romans, one of the two deepest theological books in all the Bible. Hebrews gives us a powerful understanding of Christ as the complete fulfillment of the Old Covenant in the New Covenant sealed by His blood and sacrificial death for us (all who will believe).
There are differing opinions on who penned Hebrews under the guidance of the Holy Spirit…some say Paul, some Barnabas and there are a few others that have been discussed. The beauty is that it is The Holy Spirit who is the ultimate Author of all of Scripture and therefore, Hebrews, and in the midst of this profound letter to Jewish believers to help them understand Christ and the connections and fulfillment of God’s Old Covenant in The New we find more good “one another” commands.
The first in this book is found in Hebrews 3:13 and is another repeat (so it must be important and needed), “Encourage one another daily…” Here the writer is prompted by The Spirit to not just tell us to “encourage one another” but to do it ongoing… “daily!” The Greek word here actually includes admonishing and exhorting which we’ve discussed in previous posts, and sometimes are not always a pleasant but are still needed to strengthen our walk in The Lord together.
You know why the writer of Hebrews in The Holy Spirit tells us to encourage daily? So that we will not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. That’s the world we live in but we don’t have to give into it or let it harden our hearts. That’s why we encourage one another.
Do you need encouragement often? I do and I thank The Lord for those who encourage me. Do you receive encouragement? I do and I’m so blessed by it.
Now here’s the real kicker…are you being obedient, regardless of whether you’re being encouraged or not, to encourage those in your sphere of influence…daily?
I’ve found that even when I may not receive encouragement on a given day, if I choose to encourage others then that in itself brings me encouragement. Proverbs 11:25 states, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
One of my best friends in all the world is Greg Horn who hosts HOPE is Here that I share daily. The previous verse is one of his favorites to pray and to bless others with and he has prayed it over me and blessed me many times! I pray daily that He is refreshed, blessed and prospers because he is a generous man.
Another one is another best friend who voluntarily helps me with the Love and Lordship ministry. Jeff Hancock is such an encourager and blesses me regularly. I pray The Lord will bless and prosper Him as well.
Remember to encourage literally means to infuse or fill with courage and we all need that and have it in Christ as we walk through this broken and hurting world.
Who will you encourage today? I pray you will step out and do so even if others don’t encourage you. God will!
Food for Thought…When has someone encouraged you and it lifted you up beyond your circumstance(s) or problem(s) and completely changed the outcome for the better for you? When have you done the same for others? Make it not just a point but a lifestyle to be an encourager…and to accept encouragement when it comes your way.
Action Steps…
- Spend time with God and in His Word and prayer every day…begin with the Scriptures in this episode.
- Ask The Holy Spirit to teach you.
- Who is someone in your life that has consistently encouraged you…been a Barnabas (son of encouragement) to you? How can you encourage them in return?
- What can/will you do to begin to make encouragement of others a habit in your life?
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