主題：屬靈恩賜系列（六）： 鼓勵的能力
日期：2015年11月9日
作者：Adela Just
原文編者按：最初我們發佈此文章是在五月份，但我們想將此再次分享，因為鼓勵常常被忽視為一種屬靈恩賜。這其實也是先知性的恩賜的一部分，所以我們需要對此有確切的了解，因為不論此項是否是我們首要的恩賜，我們每個人在基督的身體裏是都可以成為鼓勵者的。
“所以，你們該彼此勸慰，互相建立…”（帖撒羅尼迦前書5：11）
作為一個鼓勵者不總是自然而然地臨到我。說實話，當我對待人時，我更可能是採取批評式的做法或是用“嚴厲的愛”這樣的態度來與人交往，還驕傲地認為自己是在“秉實以告”，並不採取糖衣包裹的方式。但隨著主提醒我是祂的良善帶領我們來悔改而讓我自己知罪，一個變化的過程就在我裏面開始了。
從那時起，我就高度重視這項鼓勵的恩賜，因為我不光是在自己的生命裏也在他人的生命中看到它所導致的果效。提供鼓勵遠遠超過說了幾句好話罷了；這是一個可以說是能轉化人們和情況的恩賜。
作為一個狂熱的讀者和作家，我喜歡字句間皆帶著細微的差別和不同意義的層面。鼓勵（encourage ）這個詞的含義是顯而易見的，但我認為這頗值得我們深思一會兒。”en”這個前綴詞的意思是“做，或放入“。當將之與“勇氣”（courage）這個單字放在一起時，它的字面意思就成為“在某人裏面創造出勇氣或是將勇氣放在他們裡面“。
想想它所富含的份量和意義！當你鼓勵別人，你是分賜給他們能來面對他們的挑戰，危險，疼痛，諸般種種而不被恐懼削弱的能力。你是在他們的心中注入勇氣而能繼續向前行。這是多麼驚人的特權和責任。
成為鼓勵者
保羅告訴我們，預言的目的是要造就，安慰，勸勉人（參林前14：3）。而很多時候，鼓勵是預言中的一項要素，此乃因著接收者是被挑戰要踏入神為他們所預備的豐盛中或者不致於在他們的屬靈之旅中失去心志。
也許聖經中最有名的鼓勵的例子就是關於巴拿巴的了，他的名字的意思其實就是“鼓勵之子”。而很有意思的是，他的名字也意味著“先知的兒子”。雖然我們並沒有看到任何從巴拿巴而來的先知性的話語記錄在使徒行傳中，我們確實看到了他憑著信心踏出去，對此可被視為是先知性的動作 - 其都源自一個來鼓勵和讓人們在信心中將自己建造起來的渴望。
當我們來尋求增長鼓勵他人的能力時，我們可以從巴拿巴的生活和服事中一些簡單的細節學習到一些事情。
1. 鼓勵者所提供的不僅是話語，是採取實際確切的步驟來建造人。
在使徒行傳4章中，我們被告知，早期的教會是在所蒙的大恩中確保沒有人是缺乏的這樣子來運作（注1）。巴拿巴還特別提到一個賣了田地的人將價銀拿來交給使徒，以幫助滿足信徒的需求。超過光是話語，巴拿巴採取行動來進行實質的鼓勵和幫助。
自然而然就成為鼓勵者的人們事實上需要小心這點。他們確實希望來幫助人，盡可能滿足他們所遇到的每一個需要。我們皆可以從他們在這方面的優點學習到。當人們經歷困難，我們應該要對聖靈敏銳，尋求祂可能要我們實際去行的事
這並不是說光是話語的力量就不夠強大；很多時候別人就是被帶領說出我的心需要聽到的那件事，那件提醒了我，我並非全然一人的事情，而給了我繼續走下去勇氣。神會賜給我們“扶助疲乏人的言語“（參以賽亞書50：4）（注2）。但有時，祂也會叫我們採取行動，如同巴拿巴一樣。
2. 鼓勵者幫助人們與神同行，不是添加他們重擔。
在使徒行傳15章裏提到，在新的外邦信徒中出現了不健康的教導論及除非他們遵循猶太習俗的割禮，否則就沒有得著真正的救恩。巴拿巴和保羅一起前往耶路撒冷在使徒們和長老們面前處理這項爭議。他們提及看到神在外邦人中所行的神蹟，肯定他們獨獨透過恩典就得著的救贖。
接著，連同另外兩名男子，他們被差往外邦信徒那裏，將放置在他們身上的重擔挪走。巴拿巴和保羅在安提阿停留一段時間，指導和鼓勵那裏的教會。
神讓鼓勵者在人們被本不應擔負的重擔拖累時能覺察到的能力。他們能夠用某種方式傳遞出真理，帶給人們生命以及在主裏成長的力量。
我覺得很有意思並有能力的是，巴拿巴和保羅居然為這些新信徒挺身而出；他們防禦他們並替他們說話。我們有時可能會認為鼓勵是一個溫暖的，模糊的，溫柔的事情，但這項恩賜是有強烈的一面 – 一個願意為他人的自由而爭戰的意願。
3. 鼓勵者辨識出人們生命中的潛能和命定，甚至是在還沒有人能看到它時。
除了他們結實纍纍的共同服事，巴拿巴和保羅因為一個非常尖銳的分歧而最終分道揚鑣。他們打算返回以前所傳道的城鎮，看看信徒們的近況以及在他們成長的過程中加以鼓勵。巴拿巴想帶一名叫做約翰馬可的年輕男子，但保羅不希望如此，因為他們曾經帶過約翰馬可而他卻早早退出。（參使徒行傳15：36-41）
換句話說，巴拿巴是想給馬可第二次機會。他在這個年輕人裏面看到了些東西，並願意再次承擔與他同行的風險。很顯然，他是正確的，因為後來保羅居然要求將馬可帶來給他，說他是有助於他的（參提摩太後書4：11）（注3）。
鼓勵者確實能看到神如何看待人們和事情這樣先知性的能力。並要大膽地說出來，保握住機會，有時這也意味著有受到傷害的可能。神對我們每個人每一天也都是如此，要相信祂對我們的目的，即使我們並不總是達到期望。
渴望更大的恩賜
保羅在哥林多前書關於屬靈恩賜的討論中，他告誡信徒們“要切切地求那更大的恩賜”（參林前12：31）（注4）。儘管有許多關於發預言，或是教導，或是所提到的其他一些事情的討論，有一個更大的格局是需要觀注的。當我們在不同的恩賜中運作，我們可以請求神來幫助我們成長，並在其他可能看似並非如此自然而然的方面讓我們得以發展。
雖然這純粹是關乎個人信念的問題，但我真的沒法想到一個比鼓勵更大的恩賜。假如像預言，教導，行神蹟，以及其他的恩賜並非從真正尋求來建造他人並對他們的信仰分賜力量這樣的心而來的，這些個恩賜也很容易就成為自私自利和損害基督的身體的。
因此，不管你是天生的鼓勵者，或者你是像我這樣需要在這方面得到一些幫助，我向所有的人挑戰大家都來尋求神以更大的程度來得到這份恩賜。讓我們成為這樣一種眾所周知的基督徒，是來肯定他人，勇敢鼓舞激勵人們的心，看到神所看到的，全心全意相信祂用我們所有人的生命所正在篆寫的故事。（譯注：請在此禱告，神要分賜這樣的恩賜給我們，感謝神！）
注1：徒4:33 使徒大有能力，見證主耶穌復活；眾人也都蒙大恩。
徒4:34 內中也沒有一個缺乏的；因為人人將田產房屋都賣了，把所賣的價銀拿來，放在使徒腳前，
徒4:35 照各人所需用的，分給各人。
注2: 賽50:4 主耶和華賜我受教者的舌頭，使我知道怎樣用言語扶助疲乏的人。主每早晨提醒，提醒我的耳朵，使我能聽，像受教者一樣。
注3：提後4:11 獨有路加在我這裡。你來的時候，要把馬可帶來，因為他在傳道（或譯：服事我）的事上於我有益處。
注4：林前12:31 你們要切切地求那更大的恩賜。我現今把最妙的道指示你們。
The Power of Encouragement
November 9th, 2015
By Adela Just
http://www.generals.org/articles/single/the-power-of-encouragement/
Editor's Note: We originally posted this article in May, but we wanted to share again, as encouragement can often be overlooked as a spiritual gift. It is also an aspect of the prophetic gift, so we need to have a solid understanding of the role we all can play as encouragers in the body of Christ, whether or not it is our primary gift.
“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up . . .” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Being an encourager is not something that has always come naturally to me. Truthfully, I was more likely to take a critical or “tough love” approach when dealing with people, priding myself on “telling it like it is” and not sugar-coating things. But then the Lord convicted my heart with the reminder that it is actually His kindness that leads us to repentance, and a process of change began in me.
Since then, I have come to highly value the gift of encouragement because of what I’ve seen it do, not only in my own life, but in the lives of others. Offering encouragement is so much more than saying a few nice words; it is a gift that can literally transform people and circumstances.
As an avid reader and writer, I love words with all of their nuances and layers of meaning. The implications of the word encourage stare us in the face, but I think it’s really worth pondering for a moment. The prefix en- means “to make, or put in.” When coupled with the word “courage,” it literally means to create courage in someone or to put courage inside of them.
Think about the weight and significance of this! When you encourage someone, you are imparting to them the ability to face their challenge, risk, pain, etc. without being crippled by fear. You are infusing their hearts with the courage to move forward. What an amazing privilege and responsibility.
Becoming Encouragers
Paul tells us that some of the purposes of prophecy are for people to be strengthened, encouraged and comforted (see 1 Cor. 14:3). Many times, encouragement takes on a prophetic element as the receiver is challenged to step into the fullness of what God has for them or to not lose heart in their spiritual journey.
Perhaps the most famous encourager in Scripture is Barnabas, whose name actually means “son of encouragement.” Interestingly, his name also means “son of the prophet.” While we don’t see any prophetic words from Barnabas recorded in the book of Acts, we do see him stepping out in faith and what could even be considered prophetic acts—all flowing from a desire to encourage and build people up in their faith.
As we seek to grow in our ability to encourage others, there are some things we can learn from the brief details we are given about Barnabas’ life and ministry.
1. Encouragers offer more than words, taking practical steps to build people up.
In Acts 4, we are told that the early church moved in tremendous grace to make sure no one was in need. Barnabas is specifically mentioned as one who sold a field and brought the money to the apostles to help meet the needs of fellow believers. Moving beyond words, Barnabas took action to encourage and help.
People who naturally function as encouragers actually have to be careful about this sometimes. They so desire to help lift people up that they can try to meet every need they encounter. But we can all learn from their strength in this area too. When people are walking through difficulties, we should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and ask Him for practical things He might have us do.
This is not to say that words alone are not powerful; many times someone has been led to speak the very thing my heart needed to hear, the thing that reminded me I was not alone and gave me the courage to keep going. God will give us the “words that sustain the weary” (Isa. 50:4). But sometimes, He will also call us to take action, just as Barnabas did.
2. Encouragers seek to empower people in their walk with God, not burden them.
In Acts 15, there was unhealthy teaching being circulated to new Gentile believers that they were not really saved unless they followed the Jewish custom of circumcision. Barnabas and Paul together disputed this and went before the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to settle the issue. They spoke of the miracles they had seen God do among the Gentiles, affirming their salvation through grace alone.
They were then sent, along with two other men, to gather the Gentile believers and lift the burden that had been placed on them. Barnabas and Paul stayed awhile in Antioch, instructing and encouraging the church there.
God gives encouragers the ability to see when people are weighed down by a burden they were not meant to carry. They are able to speak truth in a way that brings life and strength to the process of growing in the Lord.
I find it very interesting and powerful that Barnabas and Paul actually fought for these new believers; they came to their defense and spoke on their behalf. We might sometimes think of encouragement as a warm, fuzzy, tender thing, but there is a fierce aspect to this gift—a willingness to fight for the freedom of others.
3. Encouragers recognize the potential and destiny in people’s lives, even when no one else can see it.
In spite of their fruitful ministry together, Barnabas and Paul had such an incredibly sharp disagreement with each other that they ended up parting ways. They intended to return to towns where they had previously preached to see how the believers were doing and to encourage them in their growth. Barnabas wanted to take a young man named John Mark, but Paul didn’t want to because they had taken John Mark with them before and he quit early. (See Acts 15:36-41.)
In other words, Barnabas wanted to give John Mark a second chance. He saw something in this young man and was willing to take the risk with him again. Apparently, he was right because later Paul actually asks for Mark to be brought to him, saying he is helpful to him (see 2 Tim. 4:11).
Encouragers really have this prophetic ability to see what God sees in people and situations. There is a boldness required to speak up and take the chance, and sometimes this can also mean the potential to be hurt. It is the same chance God takes on all of us every single day, believing in His purpose for us, even if we do not always live up to the expectation.
Desiring the Greater Gifts
In Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians, he admonishes believers to “eagerly desire the greater gifts” (1 Cor. 12:31). While there is some discussion about if he was referring to prophecy or teaching or other things mentioned, there is a bigger picture to notice. While we all function in different gifts, we can ask God to help us grow and develop in other ones that may not come as naturally to us.
And while this is strictly a matter of personal belief, I cannot really think of a much greater gift to desire than the gift of encouragement. If things like prophecy, teaching, miracles, and other gifts do not flow from a heart that is genuinely seeking to build others up and impart strength to their faith, those gifts can easily become self-serving and damaging to the body of Christ.
So whether you are naturally an encourager or you are someone like me who needs a little help in this area, I challenge all of us to seek God for a greater measure of this gift. Let’s be Christians who are known for the way we affirm others and infuse their hearts with courage, seeing what God sees and wholeheartedly believing in the stories He is writing with all of our lives.
