Exhortation Spiritual Gift
Exhortation Spiritual Gift - Encouragement is not a word we use very often. But for some reason, several Bible translators (such as the ESV) continue to use it to describe the gift of the spirit in Romans 12. Some versions of the Bible, such as the NIV, use "encouragement" instead, which sounds more natural to our modern ears.
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Exhortation Spiritual Gift
But does it mean the same thing? Exhortation certainly includes encouragement, but it is not limited to that. Merriam-Webster defines exhortation as "language designed to exhort and encourage." Encouragement is based on kindness and hope. It strengthens the trust of other people. He comforts them when they feel down.
The exhortation is filled with the same kindness and hope, but then he takes it a step further – he moves the listeners to action. Rather than offering vague phrases, exhortation speaks specifically to someone's situation and urges them to do what is right. The admonition is based on truth.
He is not passive about sin. But it always affirms God's continuing work in another person and always gives hope for his future. It inspires that person to grow and become who God created them to be. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophetic, according to our faith;
What Is The Difference Between Exhortation And Encouragement?
if the service is provided by us; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation (Romans 12:6-8, ESV). The word that the ESV translates as "exhortation" is the Greek word paraklesis, and it appears in several other New Testament passages. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, paraklesis occurs nine times and the ESV translates it as "comfort."
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Interestingly, it comes from the same root as parakletos, which is used to describe the Holy Spirit in John 14. But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have told you (John 14:26).
Other versions translate parakletos as helper or comforter, and the more we read in the Scriptures, the more we see the thread of paraklesis (admonition) in the role of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we should pray for, but the Spirit Himself makes groanings without words for us (Romans 8:26, emphasis added).
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13, italics added). Then the whole church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria experienced a time of peace and became stronger.
What Is The Difference Between Exhortation And Encouragement?
Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, their numbers increased (Acts 9:31, emphasis added). But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He does not speak for himself; he speaks only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come (John 16:13, NIV, emphasis added).
And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to keep my laws and be careful that you keep my laws (Ezekiel 36:27, emphasis added). The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is the exact opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires (Galatians 5:17a NLT, emphasis added).
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The Holy Spirit is our Paraclete—our comforter, advocate, and helper. And in this role, he gives us hope, encouragement and motivation to follow God. This is absolutely true, but nowhere in Scripture does it condemn us. Instead, it reminds us of who we are as children of God and inspires us to turn from sin and do good.
This is why the paraklesis in Romans 12 is so often translated as exhortation. This is the kind of encouragement that not only comforts us, but motivates us to do what is right. Now we know what a perfect exhortation looks like. But what does admonishing an imperfect person look like?
How Do You Give Exhortation?
None of our human minds have all the answers. Inevitably, we encounter people we don't know how to help. But as we learn to walk with the Spirit in love and truth, we can prepare ourselves to act with the right heart in every situation—even when we don't know all the answers.
Galatians 5 is the plan to walk with the Spirit. It is the last three verses of this chapter that stress everything: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. As we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let's not be arrogant, provoke and envy each other. This passage warns us against two traps: sinful lust and vanity. All of these can knock us out of step with the Spirit and then ruin our calling. If we become tolerant of sin, we risk becoming enablers rather than encouragers.
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We risk cultivating a culture that encourages anything and everything and allows the roots of sin to grow deeper in the body of Christ. Exhortation without truth is the only fuel for the growth of sin. Nevertheless, we must be careful when facing sin. When we become proud and self-righteous, we turn the call on its head and use the truth to tear others down, not build them up.
How Do You Give Exhortation?
Admonition without love suffocates the community with bitterness, envy and strife, weakens and isolates the body of Christ. This is why Paul emphasizes walking by the Spirit. It is not possible to walk with the Spirit and be comfortable in sin (Galatians 5:17). And it is impossible to love the Spirit without loving our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 4:20).
Exhortation is a spiritual gift, and it is only through the Spirit that we can exhort as Ephesians 4:15 calls us to do. "Instead, if we speak the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).
So now that we know what the spiritual gift of encouragement is, how do we know if we have it? There are countless spiritual gift tests available online. Sometimes they confirm and strengthen our understanding of how we use our gifts. At other times, they provide us with fresh insights.
The questions on the test often help us think about how God has used us in the past and what areas of ministry we are most passionate about. These are good questions and make us recognize passions and talents that we have underestimated or underutilized.
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