Hi Ladies,
How many words did you speak yesterday?
How many words did you speak yesterday?
Regardless of the number, none of them were lost. You may beg to differ if you have teenagers, but I’m not talking about that. 😉 Words matter. And not only in this life. (Mt. 12:33-36) The Bible has a lot to say about words. If you're not convinced yet, I believe you will be based on how God is leading within our church family heading into the summer!
God the Son modeled incredible patience as His disciples failed again and again to understand Him. He suffered long under the unjust treatment and torture from His enemies. And now, He patiently sits at His Father’s right hand interceding for us until all is put into subjection under His feet.
Words not only matter but they are powerful, both to harm and to help. Some of us, for fear of hurting others or saying the wrong thing just keep quiet. And others of us love to speak and teach and "help" - which may or may not be so helpful!
And yet, Scripture is full of exhortations to speak.
So, how do we know when to be silent and when to speak?
And when we do speak, how do we know which words are fitting?
Paul gives a most helpful paradigm in 1 Thessalonians 5:14. I'd like for this verse to be our meditation and prayer this week. And can I encourage you to commit it to memory? It’s short, but it’s expansive.
"And we urge you, brothers [and sisters], admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."
First, notice that people in different circumstances or stages of their spiritual walk need different words. Yes, Truth is Truth! But certain truths at the wrong time or applied the wrong way can be very damaging. (Think Job…)
Let's look at each of Paul's directives:
1) "Admonish the idle" - The word for idle was used in Greek society for those who didn't show up for work. Some versions use the word “unruly.” These people weren't reliable or following the prescribed order. Paul says to admonish them. This word carries the idea of warning or exhortation. It's motivated by love and concern, but it is firm.
And yet, Scripture is full of exhortations to speak.
So, how do we know when to be silent and when to speak?
And when we do speak, how do we know which words are fitting?
Paul gives a most helpful paradigm in 1 Thessalonians 5:14. I'd like for this verse to be our meditation and prayer this week. And can I encourage you to commit it to memory? It’s short, but it’s expansive.
"And we urge you, brothers [and sisters], admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."
First, notice that people in different circumstances or stages of their spiritual walk need different words. Yes, Truth is Truth! But certain truths at the wrong time or applied the wrong way can be very damaging. (Think Job…)
Let's look at each of Paul's directives:
1) "Admonish the idle" - The word for idle was used in Greek society for those who didn't show up for work. Some versions use the word “unruly.” These people weren't reliable or following the prescribed order. Paul says to admonish them. This word carries the idea of warning or exhortation. It's motivated by love and concern, but it is firm.
God's Word gives some very clear and direct admonitions. Do you have friends who are in need of these kinds of corrective words? Do you yourself need to allow others to speak these words into your life?
2) "Encourage the fainthearted" - These people were literally "small-souled," or feeble in mind. They needed comfort. John uses this same word to describe the Jews' words toward Mary and Martha after the death of their brother Lazarus. When people are in the midst of acute suffering, ongoing hardship,
or just plain weariness from this sin-cursed life, we as the body of Christ have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to comfort them with the comforts of God Himself found in His Word. It is full of them!
Do you have fainthearted friends who need to hear some comfort-filled truth? Do you yourself need it?
3) "Help the weak" - These people were likely struggling to make wise decisions based on Biblical principles. They needed someone to stand alongside them and give support.
2) "Encourage the fainthearted" - These people were literally "small-souled," or feeble in mind. They needed comfort. John uses this same word to describe the Jews' words toward Mary and Martha after the death of their brother Lazarus. When people are in the midst of acute suffering, ongoing hardship,
or just plain weariness from this sin-cursed life, we as the body of Christ have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to comfort them with the comforts of God Himself found in His Word. It is full of them!
Do you have fainthearted friends who need to hear some comfort-filled truth? Do you yourself need it?
3) "Help the weak" - These people were likely struggling to make wise decisions based on Biblical principles. They needed someone to stand alongside them and give support.
God's Word is full of wisdom to provide light to our path. Do you have weak friends who need your support in sharing wisdom from God's Word? Do you yourself need to hear these words?
4) "Be patient with them all" - Regardless of the category of need, Paul challenges the Thessalonian believers, and now us, to be patient with them all. The word for patience literally means “to suffer long,” or to be of long spirit.
4) "Be patient with them all" - Regardless of the category of need, Paul challenges the Thessalonian believers, and now us, to be patient with them all. The word for patience literally means “to suffer long,” or to be of long spirit.
The “all” within context is speaking about believers, but still…. That is a lot of patience! How are we to do this??
We must look to our Triune God.
God the Father “suffers long,” desiring that His people come to know and love Him. And He has planned, from before time began, that all(!) who are His will be more and more conformed to the image of His Son - a process that will last until completion at Christ’s coming. (1 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 1:6) Lord, haste the day!!
God the Son modeled incredible patience as His disciples failed again and again to understand Him. He suffered long under the unjust treatment and torture from His enemies. And now, He patiently sits at His Father’s right hand interceding for us until all is put into subjection under His feet.
And God the Spirit is constantly at work in us, applying the saving benefits of all that Christ has accomplished. One of the very fruits of the Spirit is patience! He patiently guides us into truth and also prays for us in unity with the will of God the Father.
If our Triune God exhibits this kind of patience toward a fallen creation, how much more should we, enabled by His Spirit in us, toward one another!
People are complex. They might not fit neatly into one of Paul’s categories. But we can look to our Father’s perfect plan. We can sit at the feet of our Wonderful Counselor, studying His character and His responses toward people preserved in His Word. We can rely on the Spirit’s moment-by-moment power in us. And in time, we will grow in wisdom, and patience, as we seek to live out 1 Thessalonians 5:14 with one another. ❤️🙏🏼
Will you join me in praying that this would be more and more true of the family at ABC?
If our Triune God exhibits this kind of patience toward a fallen creation, how much more should we, enabled by His Spirit in us, toward one another!
People are complex. They might not fit neatly into one of Paul’s categories. But we can look to our Father’s perfect plan. We can sit at the feet of our Wonderful Counselor, studying His character and His responses toward people preserved in His Word. We can rely on the Spirit’s moment-by-moment power in us. And in time, we will grow in wisdom, and patience, as we seek to live out 1 Thessalonians 5:14 with one another. ❤️🙏🏼
Will you join me in praying that this would be more and more true of the family at ABC?
Anna
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