Words of Encouragement
Part 3
Biblical Advice on How to Talk
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come [Saying and doing everything] that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
-John 10:10
“I have come into the world as a light, [in all that I say and do] so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
-John 12:26
Biblical Advice on How to Talk
1.Remember how powerful words can be.
"The tongue has the power of life and death."
-Proverbs 18:21
“The lips of the righteous nourish many…”
-Proverbs 10:21
[Including your own self]
“From the fruit of their [own] lips people enjoy good things…”
-Proverbs 13:2
Discouraging Words to the Core of a Person
No one likes you because you are such a _______ (Call them a name)
You got what you “deserved”. (While there may be truth to this, the damage comes when the person thinks that THEY (as a person) deserve BAD rather than their DECISION having brought on the bad consequence.)
Will you just shut up.
You are good-for-nothing.
What did I do wrong to deserve a child like you?
Sometimes I regret the day you were even born.
You got the Devil in you.
Encouragement to Try
Why not give it a try. Go for it. Might as well. It’s worth a shot.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
What do you have to lose? (casually)
What are you waiting for? (optimistically)
Just do it! (said like a cheerleader)
“With God, all things are possible.” -Matthew 19:26
Encouragement When All is Good
Good job!
There you go!
Keep up the good work.
Keep it up.
I’m so proud of you!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” -Psalm 136:1
When Things Are NOT Going So Well
Hang in there. Don’t give up. Keep going.
Keep fighting.
Stay strong.
Don’t give up.
You can do it!
All things work together for good. -Rom 8:28
When Facing a Hard Decision
I’ll support you either way.
I’m behind you 100%.
It’s your call. It’s totally up to you.
Take it to the Lord in prayer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” -James 1:5
“God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
-2 Corinthians 9:8
Cliches to Be Careful Of
(These often start out as encouraging but can lead to great discouragement when they don’t work out for one reason or the other.)
Believe in yourself. Follow your dreams. Reach for the stars. Do the impossible.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
The sky is the limit.
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.” [Evil, if saying to impress others]
-James 4:13-16
2. Make sure that you talk, but not too much.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven ... a time to be silent and a time to speak."
-Ecclesiastes 3:1,7
"Everyone should be quick to listen, SLOW to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
-James 1:19,20
3. Is it True, Fair & Necessary
Words are one of the most powerful weapons that we have.
* God’s words.
* Our words. [Yes, we are to talk to ourselves]
* The words of others.
Words should bring out the God-given best in people.
A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could, because someone else thought they could.
-Zig Zigler
“People often say motivation doesn’t last.
Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.”
“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
–Hebrews 3:13
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
-John 10:10
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
-John 12:26
Comments