Build Others Up (2)

Sat, 7 Aug 2021

‘We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.’ Romans 15:2

Billy Graham once said, ‘The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless.’ Are others naturally attracted to you? Are you well liked? If not, it may be because of:

(a) Pride. Nobody wants to follow someone who thinks they’re better than everyone else.

(b) Insecurity. If you are uncomfortable with who you are, others will be too.

(c) Moodiness. When people never know what to expect from you, they stop expecting anything.

(d) Perfectionism. Others respect the desire for excellence but dread unrealistic expectations.

(e) Cynicism. People don’t want to be rained on by someone who sees a cloud around every silver lining.

So, how do you build people up?

(1) Change your focus. If you’re self-centred, you can’t strengthen and encourage others. So observe your interaction with people during the next few days. As you talk to them, notice how much of your conversation is about you, then determine to tip the balance in favour of focusing on others.

(2) Try to make a good first impression. The next time you meet someone, learn their name, focus on their interests, listen to them without interrupting, and be encouraging. If you can do this for one day, you can do it every day. The Bible says, ‘We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.’