First Thessalonians 5:14 urges us to admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with them all. Have you ever felt inadequate for the task?
I clearly remember many moments where I have failed in this area. A non-believing family member of mine once came to me in desperation after a diagnosis that signaled life on earth is fleeting. I stumbled over many words that day, unsure of how to comfort and how to graciously address her greatest need — reliance on Jesus Christ to bear the penalty of her sin and so be reconciled to God.
As the body of Christ, we need to be equipped to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). The apostle Paul tells us that he toiled with all his God-given energy to present fellow believers as mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28). How do we do this? Cheryl Marshall, co-author of When Words Matter Most, states that biblical counsel is “to wisely and graciously speak the truth of God’s word to those you care about, according to their need.”[1]
Be encouraged that God’s Word is sufficient in training us in the ways of righteousness and in how to respond to both non-believers and fellow believers. Be warned that truth without grace will “still fall short of honoring God and loving others.”[2]
Come join us this Saturday morning as Cheryl Marshall speaks to Tenth women on what to say when words matter most. Cheryl will explore why we must speak truth in love, how to respond to the spiritual needs of others, and where to find the confidence to speak when we feel inadequate for the task. Learn more and let us know you are coming at tenth.org/words!
[1] Cheryl Marshall and Caroline Newheiser, When Words Matter Most: Speaking Truth with Grace to Those You Love (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2021) 14.
[2] Marshall and Newheiser, When Words Matter Most, 29.