Encourager
You are an encourager. All the motivational orientations are important, but this one is often less prominent or visible than some of the others. Since you have this orientation, that’s usually fine with you, but it can be a challenge sometimes because you may get less recognition from people than you deserve.
Introduction
These orientations are based on the gifts listed by Paul in Romans 12:6-8, in which he says that each member of the body of Christ has a gift, each gift is important and the gift is given to serve the rest. The emphasis here is on serving the body, and Paul says to exercise our gift according to the grace given to us. It’s the style in which you act.
“⁶ Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷ if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8 (NASB)
This orientation is based on the gift of encouragement or exhortation spoken of in Rom 12:8.
Definition
The word encourager is translated from the Greek word parakaleo from the root words para “alongside,” and kaleo “to call,” and is defined as one who is called alongside, with the meaning “to aid.”
The word is also translated here as “exhorter.” It is has various meanings, including “comfort,” console,” “beseech,” “entreat,” even “teach.” In 1 Tim. 4:13 the context suggests “exhortation of the Old Testament as it was read in the assembly during worship.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
Paul says to exercise the gifts given according to the grace given us in verse 6 and in this verse, he says “or he who exhorts, in his exhortation.” The NLT says “if your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.” The Message reads “if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy.” So the one who exhorts is to do so according to the grace given him/her. And do it with grace!
Being one of the “mouths” of the body, the encourager or exhorter speaks to others to lift them up. They are an “ear” of the body; they listen for those who are down or discouraged.
The basic motivation for encouraging is to see personal progress. This is a strong life-related gift, centered on experience. It is the ability to stimulate people toward abundant living, “a calling to one’s side to aid.” The encourager’s efforts are geared toward edifying, exhorting and encouraging other people. Unlike the teacher, who confirms experience in the truth, the encourager often needs to confirm the truth of the Scripture in experience, because the encourager wants to go on to personal and realized results.
Characteristics of Encouragement in the Life of Paul
1. A motivation to urge people to their full maturity in Christ. Paul’s goal was to present “every man mature in Christ,” (Colossians 1:28, 29).
2. An ability to discern where a person is in his or her spiritual growth and to speak to that level. Paul saw the Corinthians as spiritual infants, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as carnal, even as unto babes in Christ,” (I Corinthians 3:1).
3. A desire to give people precise steps of action to take in urging them toward spiritual maturity. Paul’s writings are filled with much practical counsel.
4. A drive to explain truth with logical reasoning in order to make it accepted. Paul’s writings on the resurrection in I Corinthians 15 are classics in logical thought. Reasoning was his basic method in dealing with the Jews, Greeks, King Agrippa and others, (Acts 1:4; 26:28).
5. An ability to visualize spiritual achievement for people and to use this to motivate them to action. Paul was a master in picturing spiritual goals for his workers and for his churches. He often reinforced those goals by the example of his own life, (Philippians 3:17).
6. A desire for face-to-face discussion in order to determine and insure positive response. Paul’s longing to see his fellow workers was constantly reaffirmed, (I Thessalonians 2:17; 3:10; II Timothy 1:4). He often used personal conferences extensively, (I Thessalonians 2:11, 12).
7. An ability to identify with people of different types and backgrounds in order to gain a wider hearing. Paul explained, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some,” (I Corinthians 9:19 - 23).
8. A motivation to bring harmony between diverse groups of Christians, and awareness that harmony is basic to spiritual maturity. Paul worked constantly to resolve conflicts and divisions between peoples, churches and groups, (I Corinthians 3:3, 4; Philippians 2:2). The money he raised even united Jews and Gentiles, (II Corinthians 9:12 - 24).
9. An ability to welcome personal tribulation as a chief motivator of spiritual growth. Paul gloried in his infirmities, because he saw that they brought to him more of Christ’s power and a far greater weight of glory, (II Corinthians 1:5; 4:17; 12:9).
Challenges with the Gift of Encouragement
People with this gift may experience the following:
1. Raising the expectations of others prematurely.
2. Taking “family time” to counsel and be with others.
3. Treating family and friends as “projects” rather than persons.
4. Sharing illustrations without permission.
5. Jumping into new projects without finishing old ones.
6. Encouraging others to depend on them rather than others.
7. Trusting visible results rather than a true change of heart.
8. Neglecting proper emphasis on Bible doctrines.
9. Giving counsel before discerning the type of person or problem.