Tools of the Trade

Some people just do not want to hear an encouraging word. Ever run across someone like that? You see a friend/family member/co-worker is in need of encouragement and they follow every uplifting thing you say with “but….” negating anything positive they could have taken from your words. When people are in that mode and mindset, they are convinced that nothing you said applies to them because their situation is worse. Encouraging words falling on deaf ears. That can prove to be a deadly silence when they hide behind the well-oiled door of "but..." and give the enemy more opportunity to work his evil.

A modern parable has been written about the tools of the enemy. I believe we can really learn from it…assuming we actually ‘hear’ what it has to say.

Some time ago, an advertisement appeared in which the devil was putting all his tools up for sale. On the day of public inspection, each one of his tools was marked with its selling price: Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on, were each on the block. Set apart, however, from all the rest of the pile, was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high — it was Discouragement!

Someone asked the devil, ‘Why is that one priced so high?’ He replied, ‘Ah, that one is more useful to me than all the rest. With it I can pry open a man’s heart and enter, when I cannot get near him with any other tools. Once inside, I can lead him any way I choose. The tool is very worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me.’

The enemy loves to sow discouragement — but believers have a tool much more powerful — encouragement! We can speak a word into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it: to the college student adjusting to his new environment, to the missionary who may feel alone in the harvest field, to the disillusioned newlywed young couple, to the forgotten servants of God who labor in an obscure and difficult ministry, to the orphans and the widows, to all those who need to hear a word in due season!

Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

We have the power in our lips to rekindle a discouraged soul. Let’s inspire one another with words of encouragement! It costs nothing, and reaps an eternal reward…encourage one another daily, as you see the Day draw near. [Hebrews 10:25]