“But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.” -Deuteronomy 3:28
One of the words used in modern-day churches across America today is “encourage.” The word appears only 4 times in the King James version, and I will use it only in scriptural context because I have seen this word used repeatedly out of scriptural context.
For example, how many times have I seen unrepentant congregants that were “encouraged” in their sin (Outside of grace, in their flesh) rather than to be encouraged, or instead to be exhorted and admonished by grace and in the spirit?
Galatians 5:19-21 tells us the works of the flesh:
“ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In contrast to Colossians 3:3-6, where we are by grace to mortify the deeds of the flesh:
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:”
I can also take this point (to withhold this is to create enemies of the cross) to that of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 where Scripture tells us:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
This is where reprobates (those abandoned to their sins) say, “Who are you to judge me?” This only solidifies and proves my point.
These types of rebels do not want to be admonished (“admonish” means to warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness; to counsel against wrong practices; to caution or advise; to instruct or direct), or exhorted (To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments to a good deed or any laudable conduct or course of action), and they certainly do not want to be corrected or instructed in righteousness when it comes to their revised and sometimes heretical definitions.
Now, if you notice, the prophet Joshua was encouraged and strengthened because he was the one picked to go over as the head of this people, as was he also the one picked to bring in the children of Israel to receive their possession.
Remember also that it was this Joshua who was apprenticed, if you will, under the tutelage of Moses (Galatians 4:2).
I can only imagine how many times Moses, by the spirit of the Lord, reproved, corrected and instructed Joshua in leading him in the Lord’s righteousness.
Once he learned (Joshua 6:18), he was then admonished and exhorted to lead the people into the Promised Land.
Therefore, Joshua was encouraged by the exhortation and admonishment that was given to him by the Lord through Moses.
In conclusion, a person is to be encouraged spiritually as they are doing what they are exhorted and admonished to do. If this was not the case, Joshua would not have been led by the Spirit to lead the Children of Israel to receive their possession (Romans 8:14).
To encourage someone who is in the flesh only gives them an excuse to stay in their sin. So, do take the time to make a distinction (Ezekiel 44:23).
Remember, encouragement comes on the back of exhortation and admonition, which leads us to grow up in grace, not in the flesh.
Article posted with permission from Sons of Liberty Media
