We live in a dark world where we can easily get lulled to sleep spiritually and come under the control of negative influences. The Day of the Lord will come but during the interim God calls His people to live as lights in this dark world. Encouragement is needed for all believers to shine His light and not hide it.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:14-16)
The Apostle Paul challenged the Thessalonian church writing, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11). The word “therefore” points to a context, or reason why encouragement is needed. Notice how verse 5 ties into letting our light shine. — “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”
Encouragement is Needed to Keep Our Lights Shining
1 Thessalonians 5 points to what we need to keep our lights shining.
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (1 Thess. 5:6-8)
With all the stress and temptations in this world, it’s easy to simply give up and give in. To keep our lights shining in a dark world, encouragement is needed to …
1) remain alert and not go into a spiritual slumber.
2) be self-controlled and not give in to the lures of the world.
To be that light in a dark world that reflects and glorifies our Lord we need to remain alert and self-controlled. The Apostle Paul’s solution? – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thess. 5:11)
This post looked at “why” we need encouragement. Also learn “who” needs encouragement and “how” to be encouraging.
Good and beneficial commentary on encouragement and defending our souls from the attraction and distraction of sin. As believers, some are also called or gifted to be “watchmen” for Christ defending the Word and teachings of Jesus, always being alert to the enemy among us waiting to devour innocents.
I like the way you phrased this: “the attraction and distraction of sin”