How Are We Doing? Part 8

How Are We Doing? Part 8
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 by Dr. James W. Walraven

Categories: Contemporary issues / Encouraging words / Scripture discussion / Spiritual deception / The church / Thought for Today / Truth telling

How are we treating others? Especially in terms of our own families and those we know at church, how do we interact with them?

It is no secret that within the surrounding culture complaining is the norm. Social media is full of women moaning and complaining about their husbands/boyfriends/men in their lives. It seems as though any woman who says something good about a man is the exception.

Not surprisingly, men either return the favor, or perhaps more often, simply exit the premises, having as little to do with women as possible. Better a life of peace, though alone, than having to deal with a contentious woman (the book of Proverbs has much to say on that topic).

In addition, typically, people treat the members of their own families worse than strangers. After all, everyone within one’s own immediate family knows precisely what buttons to push to get a reaction out of a husband, wife, brother, sister, or even sometimes, a pet.

Scripture warns us about that type of behavior:

Galatians 5:15 (NAU): “But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”

When we treat each other badly, we end up damaging each other, ruining relationships. How many people do you know who are full of bitterness or anger? Once those emotions are unleashed, they end up being consumed by them, and become useless. Do any of us enjoy being around a bitter, hateful person? Yes, they may end up as part of a like-minded niche group, reenforcing each other’s behavior and attitudes, but is that a beneficial productive way to live?

Rather, we are told to encourage each other. I think of Barnabas in the book of Acts, whose name means “Son of Encouragement”. Think about him. When most people were still afraid of Paul because of his past persecution of the church, Barnabas was the one who sought him out. He was the one who helped Paul to integrate within the Christian community. Luke describes him as a good man, full of the Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24).

Hebrews 3:13 (NAU): “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

Hebrews 10:24–25 (NAU): “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NAU): “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

Do we encourage each other? One of the best ways to build up members of our family, friends, and fellow Christians is to encourage them. Especially, encourage them in their walk in Christ. The reality of evil in the world, the world’s ever-increasing love of sin can be discouraging enough. It doesn’t help when we add to a person’s discouragement by treating them badly. When a person is struggling, adding to their woes doesn’t help. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, building each other up is something we should seek to do. Note that for the Thessalonians it was a type of the fruit of the Spirit, it wasn’t something Paul had to teach them to do. Rather, it was something they were already doing.

As the days grow darker, far better for us to immerse ourselves in Scripture, and to walk in obedience to it. Let us love and encourage each other to remain faithful to Christ, to continue to follow after Him.

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