Encouragement is Spiritual

In our last post, Be Encouraged, we reflected on the beauty and power of godly encouragement—how a timely word or loving act can lift weary hearts and strengthen the weak.

But as with all spiritual things, encouragement can also be perverted .

Not all encouragement comes from a good and godly motive. There is a form of “encouragement” that leads us away from righteousness, that subtly or brazenly approves what God condemns, and that nurtures rebellion, naked ambition and lust instead of repentance, humility and Christ-like love.

The Spirit Behind Encouragement

Biblical encouragement influences the heart. It can either draw us closer to God—or embolden and reward us to resist Him.

Consider how the serpent “encouraged” Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:1–5). With words which sounded wise and empowering he told Eve: “You will not surely die… you will be like God.” Yet with those words war broke out against the Sovereign LORD.

The serpent’s encouragement of Eve to not trust God led to man’s sin and separation from God.

Likewise, Jezebel “encouraged” her husband Ahab to seize Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:1–7). She strengthened Ahab’s selfish desire and urged him to act unjustly. What may have looked like support was actually spiritual corruption.

Jonadab’s counsel to Amnon (2 Samuel 13:1–7) is another tragic example.

His “helpful” advice facilitated sin and destroyed his cousins and three of King David’s children Tamar, Amnon and Absalom’s lives.

Oh did I mention Amnon and Tamar are half brother and sister?

Amnon, as Jonadab encouraged him to do, raped Tamar. Tamar was shut away from society because of the rape. Amnon was killed by Absalom’s army. Then, Absalom fomented insurrection against his father King David. During the conflict Absalom himself was killed.

The Apostle Paul warns of this same “Jonadab” spirit in Romans 1:32 in which he speaks of those who not only practice evil but also approve of those who do.

The Power of Godly Encouragement

Wise and discerning Christians will try the spirits whether they are from God.

True encouragement will always point us back to God’s word, truth, and holiness. It strengthens trust and obedience, not compromise. It produces the hard work of examining our hearts in the presence of the LORD.

Paul reminds us: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Our words can be tools in the Lord’s hands—to edify, to heal, and to prepare one another for His soon return.

As Hebrews 10:25 exhorts, “Encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Jesus is coming soon!

Let us remain steadfast, discerning, and faithful in the kind of encouragement we give and receive.

May every word carry the fragrance of Christ, supporting others to more closely align their lives with the Father, and trusting the Holy Spirit to lead and guide into all truth in Jesus’ name.

Many Blessings!

Kimberly