“Faithful are the wounds of a friend”

”Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6

     I’ve been reminded lately of the power of words to either encourage and build up or discourage and tear down. There needs to be a balance between encouragement and constructive criticism. If all the recipient hears is correction, it demotivates the individual and is a source of discouragement. 

     Paul floods 1st and 2nd Thessalonians with a higher concentration of encouraging words over any of his other letters. His tone is gentle and kind. He was only able to spend three weeks with them when he planted the church and he was anxious about them and the stability of their faith. He interacts with them as a concerned father, but he is not overbearing. He handles them with velvet gloves and shares with them that he rejoices before God over their genuine faith and the evidence of the presence of God in their lives. He doesn’t jump in with all the things they’re doing wrong and need to correct (see Galatians for a more direct approach). He is aware of where they are at in their spiritual maturity and the tenderness of the young plant that is their faith. 

     When we speak words of encouragement, we are speaking words of life and healing. (Note: words of encouragement are different from that of flattery - flattering words have a selfish agenda behind them but encouraging words have a selfless agenda behind them). When we couch our constructive criticism or of correction with words of hope and encouragement, the listener is better able and open to receive them. 

     Satan is the accuser of believers. His goal is steal our joy, to destroy our hope, and to kill our effectiveness for God. The accuser uses words to do this, whispering lies to us about us and our worth. If we are beaten down, discouraged and feel isolated, we are not very effective soldiers in the daily spiritual warfare we face. We have to speak words back, not only to ourselves, but also to those whom he is attacking.

“Your Word is truth.” John 17:17

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:35

“God is light and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

“Resist the devil and he WILL flee from you.” James 4:7

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His night. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:10-18

Use words - use truth to shine a light in dark places. Use truth to do battle both in your own life and also in the lives of those around you. Couch your words in grace and love so that even your ‘wounds’ can be considered faithful and kind and ones that build up rather than tear down.