Recently, Adrienne and I sat down for an intentional talk with one of our daughters. We realized God has given her a keen sense of discerning what’s wrong and right, but in that she was becoming easily critical of people around her. We realized we needed to affirm her gift of discernment, but that the most important thing was for everything we do to be done in love.
We most certainly need a generation of people who have the ability to discern, but not so we can become critical of each other. In our discernment, we still need a culture of encouragement. Oftentimes we value our own opinion so highly, even if it drags others down. We have to realize that anything good in us comes from Christ first, so who are we to take such store of our own achievements or where we are in our walks with Him. Our maturity will show when we can build others up and not tear them down. Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Our tongues can be used as a weapon to hurt or as a tool to heal and encourage. What are we doing with our words?
“With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My friends, this should not be!” (James 3:9-10)
How guilty we all are of this kind of double standard, but what would our relationships be like if we made a daily effort to encourage each other to live lives that truly reflect who Jesus is.
We can get so easily caught up in the busyness of life, but let’s be people who are intentional about showing love to those around us. Ask God who needs encouragement in your life today, build them up in their individual giftings and strengths. Don’t be afraid to speak the truth. Sometimes a word of encouragement can also be a sharpening word but having a heart to build one another up is the key.
Let everything we do, be done out of love.
