Be an encourager, not a discourager

Are you an encourager or a discourager to the body of Christ? To encourage means to inspire, promote or advance. An encourager in the church will do all he or she can to support and aid the pastor and the vision of the church. To discourage is to obstruct by opposition or difficulty. A discourager hinders the work of God. Discouragers will cause the body of Christ to become depressed and dejected while encouragers will help the people find confidence and boldness. The church needs encouragers. The devil prompts the discouragers.

When Nehemiah came to encourage God’s people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, discouragement also arrived. “When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!” ” (Nehemiah 4:1–3, NIV84)

The discourager will look at the work and mock and ridicule those who trying to obey God. The discourager will point out the flaws in someone and call them feeble. The discourager will remind them of their past failures. The discourager will tell the people that there is no point in trying.

Nehemiah encouraged the people to look to God who was their strength. “Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. ” (Nehemiah 4:4–5, NIV84) The encourager recognizes the this is a spiritual battle and trusts in God. The encourager will intercede for the people.

When encouragers come alongside the work of God, people are stirred to try. People want to give their best. That is what happened with Nehemiah. “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. ” (Nehemiah 4:6, NIV84) The work was not complete, but the people were inspired to try and obey God with all their hearts.

When there is some success evident, the discourager gets angry. The discourager will seek like-minded negative people to try to destroy the work of God. The discourager gets upset because they are losing influence over the people. “But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. ” (Nehemiah 4:7–8, NIV84)

Once again, the encourager will help the people to look to God. The encourager will help the people know that they can keep trying and that God blesses those He loves. “But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. ” (Nehemiah 4:9, NIV84)

Sometimes the spirit of discouragement spreads. A negative word carries death to those who listen. This is the goal of those who speak discouraging words. To gain control of the people through fear and intimidation. “Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” ” (Nehemiah 4:10–12, NIV84)

The encourager will stand strong in the faith and trust in God. The encourager will keep reminding the people that all things are possible with God. The encourager will remind the people of God’s love. “After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” ” (Nehemiah 4:14, NIV84)

One steadfast encourager is stronger than all the discouragers. May God raise up the heart of encouragers in the body of Christ and shut the mouth of the discourager.