Edify One Another

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)

Sometimes we make serving God more complicated than it needs to be.

We think we need to know the Bible from beginning to end before we can help someone.

We think we need the perfect words.

A powerful testimony.

A great message.

An answer to every question.

And because we don't feel qualified, sometimes we say nothing at all.

But what if serving God today is much simpler than that?

What if it's calling someone who has been on your mind?

What if it's sitting beside someone who's hurting?

What if it's telling somebody, "I'm praying for you, and I mean it"?

Sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do for another person isn't giving them an answer.

It's reminding them they don't have to carry everything alone.

Everybody Is Carrying Something

One thing I've come to realize is that we rarely know everything another person is going through.

We see people at church.

We see them at work.

We talk to them in passing.

We ask how they're doing, and most of the time we hear the same answer.

"I'm good."

But are they?

Maybe someone is struggling in their marriage.

Maybe they're worried about their children.

Maybe they're wondering how they're going to pay next month's bills.

Maybe they're grieving someone they lost, and even though time has passed, the pain hasn't.

Maybe they're fighting discouragement that nobody else knows about.

They still show up.

They still smile.

They still go through their daily responsibilities.

But beneath the surface, they're exhausted.

And sometimes, all it takes is one person stopping long enough to notice.

One person willing to listen.

One person saying, "I've been thinking about you. How are you really doing?"

We may never know how much someone needed those words.

What Does It Mean to Edify Someone?

Paul writes:

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)

The word edify carries the idea of building up or strengthening.

Think about that.

God calls believers to help build one another up.

Not tear one another down.

Not constantly criticize.

Not look for every weakness and mistake.

But strengthen one another in the faith.

Paul wasn't writing to people whose lives were free from trouble.

The Thessalonian believers faced hardship and persecution. They needed encouragement to remain steadfast in Christ.

And Paul reminded them that strengthening one another was part of their life together.

That instruction still matters.

Because even people who love Jesus get tired.

Even faithful Christians become discouraged.

Even people who encourage everybody else sometimes need someone to encourage them.

And God often uses ordinary people to do exactly that.

You Don't Always Have to Fix It

This is something many of us struggle with.

When someone tells us what they're going through, our first instinct is to fix the problem.

We want to give advice.

We want to explain what they should do.

We want to offer a solution.

And sometimes practical help or biblical counsel is exactly what someone needs.

But not always.

Sometimes the person sitting across from you already knows what they need to do.

Sometimes they've heard all the advice.

Sometimes there isn't an immediate solution.

They're simply hurting.

And they need someone who will listen without rushing them.

Someone who won't minimize their pain.

Someone who won't turn every conversation into a lecture.

Scripture says:

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

Romans 12:15 (KJV)

Notice that it doesn't say we must always explain why someone is suffering.

Sometimes we're called to weep with them.

To be present.

To pray.

To love.

We don't have to carry the responsibility of being someone's savior.

Jesus is the Savior. We are called to love one another.

Your Words Can Build Someone Up or Tear Them Down

We live in a world where criticism comes easily.

It's easy to notice what someone did wrong.

Easy to point out their shortcomings.

Easy to become impatient when people don't meet our expectations.

But how often do we intentionally look for something good to say?

How often do we thank someone?

How often do we tell people we appreciate them?

Paul writes:

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

I love that last part.

“That it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Our words should do more than fill silence.

They can become instruments of grace.

A husband may need to hear that his efforts are appreciated.

A wife may need to hear that she's loved and valued.

A child may need to hear, "I'm proud of the effort you're making."

A coworker may need someone to recognize their hard work.

A friend may need to know they haven't been forgotten.

We shouldn't flatter people or say things we don't mean.

But genuine encouragement costs so little, and sometimes it means more than we realize.

Don't Underestimate the Small Things

We sometimes imagine that serving God requires doing something extraordinary.

And because we can't do something extraordinary, we overlook the ordinary opportunities right in front of us.

A text message.

A phone call.

A visit.

A prayer.

A meal.

A few minutes of your time.

An encouraging word after church.

A conversation with someone who looks lonely.

None of those things may seem especially impressive.

But love doesn't have to be impressive to be meaningful.

Jesus said:

“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

Matthew 10:42 (KJV)

Even something as simple as a cup of cold water can matter when it is offered in service to Christ.

So don't underestimate what God can do through a small act of kindness.

You may forget the conversation by tomorrow.

But the person you encouraged may remember it for years.

Sometimes the Encourager Needs Encouragement

There's another side to this.

Maybe you're usually the one checking on everybody else.

You're the one people call when they're struggling.

You're the one praying for others.

You're the one trying to keep everyone encouraged.

But lately, you've been tired yourself.

Maybe you've been asking God for strength.

Maybe you've been praying about something that hasn't changed.

Maybe you're doing your best to remain faithful, but you're discouraged.

And because you're normally the strong one, people assume you're doing fine.

If that's you, remember that needing encouragement doesn't make you weak in your faith.

It makes you human.

The apostle Paul understood the importance of encouragement.

He wrote:

“Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;”

2 Corinthians 7:6 (KJV)

Think about that.

God comforted Paul through the arrival of another believer.

Paul, who preached Christ so boldly, also needed encouragement.

And God used Titus to provide it.

Sometimes God strengthens us directly through His Word and prayer.

Sometimes He strengthens us through another person.

We were never meant to walk the Christian life in isolation.

God Sees What Others Don't

Maybe you're going through something right now that nobody else knows about.

You've prayed.

You've waited.

You've cried.

You've asked God for wisdom.

And you're still waiting for an answer.

I don't know what you're carrying.

But Scripture reminds us that God is not unaware of His children's struggles.

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalm 34:18 (KJV)

You may feel forgotten by people.

But you haven't escaped God's notice.

You may not understand what He's doing.

You may not know how your circumstances will change.

But His character remains faithful.

And sometimes the encouragement we need isn't a promise that tomorrow will be easier.

Sometimes it's simply the reminder that Christ is still with us today.

Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks

Later in the same chapter, Paul writes:

“Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (KJV)

These verses don't mean every circumstance is good.

They don't mean we should be happy about suffering.

They don't mean grief, disappointment, or pain are somehow signs of weak faith.

Paul tells us to give thanks in everything.

That is different from calling everything good.

We can grieve and still trust God.

We can experience hardship and still pray.

We can be uncertain about tomorrow and still give thanks for the faithfulness of Christ.

And while we're walking through our own struggles, we can still look for opportunities to encourage others.

Sometimes helping someone else doesn't remove our burden.

But it reminds us that God has given us opportunities to love, even in difficult seasons.

A Call to Repentance

It's worth examining how we treat the people God has placed in our lives.

Have we become quick to criticize and slow to encourage?

Have we been so consumed with our own responsibilities that we've stopped noticing others?

Have we withheld kind words because we assumed people already knew how we felt?

Have we been impatient with someone who was struggling?

Have we used our words to wound rather than heal?

If so, we need to bring those things before God.

Repentance isn't simply feeling bad about how we've treated people.

It means turning from those attitudes and asking God to change our hearts.

Maybe there's someone you need to apologize to.

Maybe there's someone you've been avoiding.

Maybe there's someone you've been criticizing who actually needs your patience and compassion.

Ask God to help you see people through the love of Christ.

And then act upon that love.

Don't just think about encouraging someone. Encourage them.

The Gospel: Our Greatest Encouragement Is Jesus Christ

As important as encouragement is, there is something even greater that every person needs.

We need the Gospel.

Because our deepest problem isn't simply that life is difficult.

Our deepest problem is that we are sinners separated from a holy God.

Scripture says:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 3:23 (KJV)

Every one of us has sinned.

And sin carries a consequence.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 (KJV)

We cannot save ourselves through good works.

We cannot earn forgiveness by being kind enough, generous enough, or religious enough.

But God, in His love, provided the Savior we desperately needed.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, came into this world.

He lived the perfect life we could never live.

He willingly went to the cross and died for our sins.

He was buried.

And on the third day, He rose again.

Through His death and resurrection, forgiveness and eternal life are offered to sinners who repent and place their faith in Him.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Romans 10:9 (KJV)

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our works.

And when we understand how much grace God has shown us, it should change the way we treat others.

We encourage because we have been encouraged in Christ.

We show mercy because God has shown us mercy.

We love because He first loved us.

The greatest encouragement we can ever offer someone is to point them to the Savior who gives eternal life.

Conclusion: Be Someone Who Builds Others Up

You don't need to have every answer.

You don't need a perfect speech.

You don't need to be a pastor, teacher, or Bible scholar to show someone the love of Christ.

Sometimes serving God is simply paying attention.

Noticing someone who is hurting.

Listening when someone needs to talk.

Praying when someone feels overwhelmed.

Offering encouragement when someone feels like giving up.

So today, think about the people in your life.

Is there someone you haven't checked on in a while?

Someone who's been struggling?

Someone who has encouraged you but never heard you say thank you?

Someone who simply needs to know they're appreciated?

Reach out.

Send the message.

Make the call.

Say thank you.

Tell someone you love them.

Pray with them.

And if you're the one who needs encouragement today, don't give up on seeking Christ. Bring your burdens to Him, and don't be afraid to let trusted believers walk alongside you.

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)

You may never fully know what someone is carrying.

And you may never know what a few sincere words will mean to them.

But the encouragement you give someone today might be the very encouragement they were praying for last night.

So keep it simple.

Love people.

Build them up.

Point them to Jesus.

And never underestimate what God can do through one small act of kindness.