Yes, there is real positive power in a word of encouragement, especially when that word is a statement of truth. Truth encourages — facts discourage!
Each of us needs encouraging words in our daily walk, and Christians should be in the forefront of those giving encouragement to those we meet.
Jesus Christ set people free by the positive power of His words. His words raised people from the dead, healed the sick, comforted the troubled, and encouraged the weak. It has been said that “words can work wonders” — how true that was of Jesus Christ. Even His enemies said that his words “had the ring of authority”. He said Himself “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Let’s look at a few of the hundreds of positive statements that Jesus made — and remember that these are words that have “life”, words that can encourage you and those you meet.
His disciples came to Him one day and asked “Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:28,29). Even today, Christians find it difficult to accept the truth that it is not a case of “do” but a case of our Lord having “done” all that was needed, and now we need to believe. I find that a great encouragement, and there is more to follow.
Jesus went on to say, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). I can still remember the day when the truth of that statement really came alive to me. Just think of it — never hunger, never thirst! The spiritual gift He was offering was one that would be totally satisfying, one of infinite supply. Let us encourage one another with the truth that the positive power of Jesus Christ within us is totally sufficient for all our needs, including the present ones!
When Jesus took His disciples a little deeper into truth, some did not accept it and walked away. He said to the twelve, “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-68). Yes, the words of Jesus produced faith in people’s hearts to accept His gift of eternal life. Words have eternal impact! You and I may never discover what effect our words have on the lives of others, so let us be sure to make them words of eternal truth, words that put wings on weary hearts, words that emphasise the positive in every situation.
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit” (John 7:37-39). Every Christian is loaded with positive power, and that power should flow out into the desert of human need like a river. As it flows you will never thirst, and others will tap into the living water and so quench their thirst — and another river starts flowing. This is giving and receiving in its highest form.
The religious leaders sent out men to take Jesus prisoner that same day, but they went back to their masters empty-handed. When asked why, they said, “No one ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46). That is a great testimony to the positive power of the words of encouragement given by Jesus Christ.
Later Jesus encouraged those who believed with these words: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). To “abide” in His word, is to “dwell” in it, to “continue” in it, to “remain” in it. And in that dwelling and remaining comes the knowing, and knowing the truth always sets people free. Yes, there is positive power in the words of truth shared by Jesus Christ, power that we can apply!
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