Exhort One Another

To exhort means to strongly encourage to urge someone to do something or to admonish urgently. 

A parent can exhort their children by letting them know when they are doing something good and nice. When a child gets their room clean, a parent can say, Good job, that looks great! Or when a child does something nice for their brothers or sisters, the parents can say, “Hey, that’s a very nice thing that you did. Thank you.” They want their children to continue to be kind and loving, so they exhort them.

Parents were children too once, and they know the many ways that children can be tempted. So when they tell their kids, “Don’t do that,” or, “Keep away from those things,” it is not because they want to “lord” over them, or dislike them, it is because they want them to do the right things and keep safe. They don’t want their children to make the same mistakes that they once did, so they exhort and urge their children to do what is right.

Or in school if a student gets all of the answers perfect on test, the teacher could put a sticker on their papers that say, Keep up the good work! The teacher is trying to exhort and urge the student to continue to do well in school.

Paul wrote all the time to exhort them to continue in the faith. He wanted them to do what was right and good. He wanted them to not forsake the assembling of themselves together to worship and praise God. 

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

When a church had an issue, like in 1 Corinthians, Paul wrote to them, and urged and exhorted them to change from the sin that was happening. And not because he wanted to be “in control” over them, but he wanted them to do what was right and correct according to the word of God. It is when we are rebuked and corrected that we learn that what we are doing is wrong, and need to change. 

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:” Hebrews 12:5

Exhortation can also be the same as edification. Paul wrote to the Philippian church and exhorted them to think on good things.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Someone might have a problem overcoming a sin issue in their life, so a pastor will urge them to do what is right. He will exhort that person to overcome that sin. And that person might not overcome that sin immediately, but the pastor should patiently and gently encourage them to change into doing what is right.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2

Encourage others to daily spend time reading and studying the Scriptures. The more time that you spend doing something the more you get better at it and the more you remember things. The more you read the word of God, the deeper it will sink into your memory. 

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

Read God’s Word daily. Pray to the Lord whenever you can. Help others to overcome faults in their lives, and encourage others to walk in Christ.

In Christ,

Andrew