Encouraging Words

Introduction

1. Text: Eph. 4:29.
2. The tongue is a devastatingly destructive instrument — very difficult to control – Jas. 3:5,6.
3. But we don’t have to do harm — if we choose, we can do great good with the gift of speech – Eph. 4:29.
4. What are some of the encouraging, edifying, and refreshing words that we can speak?

I. Words of Gratitude

1. There is no better feeling than to know that others are thankful for us — we do our best when we are appreciated.
2. Paul was genuinely grateful for his brethren, and he said so – 1 Thess. 1:2,3; 2:19,20; etc.
3. Gratitude needs not only to be genuinely felt, it needs to be expressed.

II. Words of Confidence

1. We need to believe the best about one another and express that sentiment. Cf. 1 Cor. 13:7.
2. Paul had great confidence in his brethren – Rom. 15:14; Philem. 21.
3. “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you” (Heb. 6:9 NKJV).

III. Words of Hope

1. Hope in Christ is one of our most precious possessions – 1 Pt. 1:3,4. Cf. Eph. 1:18.
2. We can do much good by building hope in others, rather than quenching it.

IV. Words of Love

1. The need to be loved is deep and strong.
2. We can’t love God without loving His children, our brothers and sisters – 1 Jn. 4:20-5:2.
3. Words that express our love can do good that is simply incalculable.

Conclusion

1. Whatever other abilities we may not have, we all can do good by the use of encouraging words. Cf. Prov. 15:23; 25:11.
2. May our goal be to have a “refreshing” effect on those we deal with – Philem. 7.