Watch Our Words

 DEVOTION

TO HEBREWS

WATCH OUR WORDS

Heb 13:22-25

22 Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter. 23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all God's people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. 25 Grace be with you all.

NIV

The end of this letter and although it is the final greeting in the style of that time, there is one more nugget that bears our pondering about. They and we are urged to bear with the word of exhortation in this letter. We want to explore the Greek word parakleesis. It has varied meanings depending on the context, yet properly, it means a calling near, a summons, but it can mean an imploration, supplication, or entreaty. But in this context is it used as an exhortation, admonition, encouragement. However, universally, it means a persuasive discourse, stirring address. We learn here that first, we should pay attention to the word of God, as it exhorts us to a way of life. We should bear with it, learn from it, apply the truth to our lives, living in a manner that we are encouraged by the word of God. However, as this writer is exhorting the Hebrews to bear with his words, we are admonished to encourage or build each other up until we all reach unity in the faith. This would mean we build each other up rather than tear each other down. Sometimes it is too easy to be over-invested in ourselves, always bragging about what we do, what we have done, and what we are going to do, that we have no concern for others and by default we may be tearing them down, making them feel they are not as good a Christian because they do not do as much as the bragger, or boaster. Now with the aid of social media, it has become increasingly easier to boast and brag without ever speaking to anyone. All we have to do is post a picture and make a comment, and we are done, we have fulfilled our boasting for the day. However, we can also use that same social media to build others up, to encourage others, to enhance their lives. Yet it would be far better to do that in person, yet through social media we can build up those who live in other places throughout the world. Nevertheless, we should always be aware of our words, do they build up, are they words of encouragement, even exhortation, but also comfort. Simply put we should watch our words.