GraceCreates

By Jon Walker

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

You have the power to kill or give life.

Yes, you, gentle reader – a follower of Christ – are capable of murder, and so am I. We can speak death with our words, or we can speak life.

Perhaps you’ve been on the other side of the killing kind of messages: “You’re not smart enough. You’re not thin enough. You’re not fast enough. You’re not good enough. A real Christian wouldn’t think such a thing.”

In a world where people are beat up and put down, God gives you superhero power to punch through the negativity. You speak life to others when you say: “You matter to me. I like you just the way you are. You’re human, anyone could think that. Your life counts. You were created for a purpose. God loves you, and you’re incredibly valuable to him.”

Your words may be the only encouraging thing some people hear in a day, or a week, or a month. You – yes, you – can become the voice of God’s grace in the lives of others, supporting, loving, helping, and encouraging with the words that flow from your mouth. (Romans 14:19b)

In the New Testament, the word ‘encouragement’ often means “to come alongside.” We’re to come alongside one another, “building each other up,” just as the Holy Encourager comes alongside us to teach us and remind us of the way of Jesus. (John 14:26)

We become encouragers when we stop looking down and start looking up (Colossians 3:2) – the need and opportunity for encouragement is everywhere. “Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us,” (Romans 15:2a MSG) and this “will build them up.” (Romans 15:2b NLT)

So, how about it? Will you become today a consistent source of encouragement to those around you? It’s a choice on your part. You can lift a person’s spirit, change the atmosphere of your office, or lighten the burden of someone in your small group. The Bible says we should “look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15b MSG)

What does this mean?

• Commit to encouragement – Make a choice to build up the people around you. Fill your conversations with phrases like: “I believe in you,” “I’m grateful for you,” “I see God using you,” “I appreciate you,” and “I’m glad you’re in my life.” The Bible says we should “encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
• Value others – An encourager works hard at bringing the best out in others. Value people by understanding they are valuable to God. He encourages you in spite of the failings in your past; he believes in you in spite of those annoying, little things you excuse in yourself but criticize in others. (Quite honestly, this thought compels me to give grace to others.)
• Be encouraged – Encourage yourself, for “there is good news of great joy for all people, and his name is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-10)

Jon Walker is resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com, and the former writer/editor for the Purpose Driven Life On-Line Devotionals. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

By Jon Walker

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NLT)

When Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian novelist, was a boy, he reportedly started the “White Polar Bear Club” with two of his friends. In order to become a member, you had to stand in the corner and for 30 consecutive minutes not think of a white polar bear.

Have you ever tried to intentionally not think about something? It’s almost impossible to keep it out of your mind!

We often handle temptation in a similar fashion, thinking we can stand near it, but if we just don’t think about it, then we’ll have victory over it.

The problem is, the more we try not to concentrate on temptation, the more it becomes the center of our focus – even if it’s a “not gonna do it” focus. And the longer we think about not submitting to the temptation, the more likely it is that we will.

James says we should focus on God instead of the temptation. We tend to quote the latter half of this verse: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 NLT) But the full context brings us back to the “I can’t; God can” understanding necessary to live as God intended us to live.

If all we do is focus on the devil, then we’re still focusing on the temptation. I’m not suggesting that, in standing firm on our decisions, we can’t say “No, I’m not going to do that” to the enemy just as Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan!”

What I am saying is that we don’t do this in our own strength; we do it humbly submitted to God, knowing that he is our strength and that he is the source of our authority to push back on the Devil.
What does this mean?

• Focus on God – Instead of focusing on sin, temptation, or the Devil, keep your focus on God. When tempted, get your eyes back on God; tell him you’re tempted; and the Devil will flee because you are resisting him by embracing God.
• Be humble enough to seek help – A sure sign that you’re about to fall past temptation into sin is when you think, “I can handle this temptation.” You should see that as an urgent alarm to humbly submit to God, confessing, “I can’t handle this, Lord. I need your strength and wisdom. Lead me not into temptation.” Then walk away from the temptation and call a friend for prayer and accountability.

Jon Walker is resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com, and the former writer/editor for the Purpose Driven Life On-Line Devotionals. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.