Guiding with Grace: How to Offer Compassionate Christian Advice

We all do it, judge others by comparing their lives to ours. We don't mean to judge but through our comments it can sound like we are. The comments we make are often because we think that we have the answers for others' issues.

We are on the outside of their lives looking in. It can give us a more pure perspective. Still, none of us have the answers to another person's problems, even though we think you should or should have done it like I did. That doesn't mean that it would have worked for him/her.

Sometimes, we are so concerned and so badly want others to do well that we come off as judging when we make suggestions. We forget that we have issues that, should we share them, others would want to give swift answers to also. We would then understand how some of our responses sound. 

We don't always listen carefully when others ask for opinions or suggestions. Because of this, we can be guilty of giving the same answers over and over, cliches, standard comments, time-worn suggestions, etc.  People already know the stock answers and are seeking more than that. 

Platitudes are not working for them anymore, if they ever did. They feel judged when they are callously told to do more of what they have been doing, such as believe, accept, hope, adapt. There are, however, two things that will help if suggested, even if they are already doing them.

The only perfect answers to give anyone are to read the Bible more often and study it more deeply. The second suggestion is to pray more candidly to God, to be more honest as never before. Those are answers that will help anyone and everyone. 

If the praying and Bible reading is not helping, then the only perfect answer is between that person and God. God will have to reveal, through His Holy Spirit, what the answer is to their dilemma. We can only give comforting sympathetic or empathetic, unique words of faith. 

While it is motivating and encouraging to us to give advice, we must be careful that we are not discouraging and overwhelming others with ultimatums of performance. Our comments, suggestions and guidance should uplift, inspire and edify through God's grace. Ephesians 4:29

How To Live In Moderation As A Christian

Moderation may mean different things depending on to what we are referring. Some think of modesty in dress, how not to dress in overly-embellished and revealing attire. Others prefer modesty in environment, choosing simplicity in living rather than ostentatious decor. 

There is also modesty in attitude towards life's ups and downs. I am learning to develop modesty in experiencing life's blessings and challenges. The Holy Spirit is leading me to not be overly excited about blessings nor excessively concerned about challenges. I know that His desire for me is to remain on an even keel no matter what each day brings. 

While I can always be thankful for God's blessings that flow, I am not to be so caught up in receiving from Him that I forget that the devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 I am not to be so excited about any accomplishment that I forget to put on God's whole armor. Ephesians 6:10-17 

When difficulties surface, I can feel concerned but I am not to sink down into the dumps and feel defeated. I am not to forget that all things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28 I am not to be so distressed that I forget that if God is for me, how can anyone succeed against me? Romans 8:31 

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-8

The 1st part of that scripture passage can pertain to being peaceful during blessings. The 2nd part can pertain to being peaceful during tribulations. When we let our moderate attitudes and lifestyles be seem by others, and when we do not worry about anything but go to God with all requests, we will live on an even keel. We will be even-tempered and at peace. 

So, whatever moderation means to you, the essence is the same. It is behavior that reflects self-control, high self-esteem, respect for self and others, moderation in all things, peacefulness and self-confidence. It is a holiness that is not contrived by our flesh to repel others. It is a holiness and righteousness that is a shining reflection of our transforming relationship with a loving God.

Run Into The Strong Tower

There will be lies and threats through Satan and his helpers. 

God, however, is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. He knows those who trust in him.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.

Remember who you are in Christ Jesus!

Nahum 1:7

Proverbs 18:10

Ephesians 6:10-18

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Let The Old Man Die

Let's be obedient to God to our hurt. To the hurt of our flesh. Jesus was obedient to God to his hurt. What he endured for us was hurtful to the human part of him, as well as to the spiritual, divine part. His flesh shrunk from what he had to do. He came here to do it but he experienced dread, just like we do. 

He was so distressed that he asked his Father three times if it could be done some other way. Like the obedient Son that he is, he ended his supplication with Nevertheless, not my will but thy will be done. 

We are not even being asked to allow our bodies to be abused, scourged and nailed to a cross. We're only being asked to allow our old man to die. Daily.

Ephesians 4:22-24

Romans 6:6-12

II Corinthians 5:17-19

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Spiritual Weapons For A Spiritual Devil

Satan wants to destroy your happiness and your hope. Don't allow him to do it! He will use every little thing that he can find. The big attacks are obvious. The little attacks are not. Recognize how much he hates you because you love God and have acknowledged and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior. His commitment to devastate you never ends. He never rests in his malevolent goals.

It's not the people who are attacking you and making your life difficult. It's evil influence from the fallen Lucifer, who was once an angel in Our Father's kingdom. He is the father of lies who was cast out of Heaven with his fallen angels followers who kept not their first estate. You believe and want help from God's angels but you find it difficult to believe in a devil and demons? 

Our daily battles are not against flesh and blood, the people that we encounter. The battle is in the spiritual world. We are spiritual now, no longer choosing to live in the flesh, though we are still here in this world and in the flesh. Our Heavenly Father helps us in his spiritual ways. We are not alone. We are not without battle weapons but the weapons that we must use are not carnal through fleshly fighting. 

Our weapons are mighty to defeat the devil's plans, though it may seem like he wins at times. Our weapons of power are not of this physical world. They are Godly weapons that establish God's plans and purposes in our lives. It's not about stopping people and getting back at them. It's all about triumphing through God's good, expectable and perfect will.

Learn about the weapons of warfare that we can successfully use (Ephesians 6:10-18) against the very real principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. Every little evil thing matters to the very real devil. Every little holy and righteous thing should matter to us! Ask our Father to sharpen your spiritual eyes so that you can detect the wicked works of the devil against you. Ask him also to make the weapons of his warfare real and practical to you!

6 Powerful Spiritual Weapons Of Warfare

Our loins girded about with truth. 

Having on the breastplate of righteousness.

Having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. 

The shield of faith with which we can quench the enemy's fiery darts.

The helmet of salvation.

The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

Giving Thanks Always Art Printable

There is always something to be thankful for. If nothing comes readily to mind, we can remember something that has blessed us. That is why I designed this Giving Thanks printable artwork. I am so grateful for all that God has done for me and the many ways he has delivered me from evil when I was not aware.

This Ephesians 5:20 print is a reminder to always spend time thanking God. He is worthy no matter what our situation or circumstance is or whether we are feeling high or low. Give thanks always! 

Click Buy Now below, or visit Draw Nigh To Hope Shop for more art printables.

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Evaluating Our Relationships

It is critical to our growth in the Lord that we associate ourselves with people who uplift us. At the end of a conversation with someone, if we exit feeling down, disturbed and not quite right, we should be wary and watch closely. If this happens consistently, something is wrong.

It doesn't matter if we are praying for that person, always lifting them up and trying to be a Godly example and inspiration to him or her. If we don't feel elevated and at peace at the end of any encounter with them, our growth in God will be hindered. We hear the following statement often and we should take it more to heart. Some people we will need to love and pray for from afar.

How often do we ignore this truth in the name of being good Christians? We are good Christians when we attend to our own advancement in the Lord first, at all costs. We are good Christians when we guard our hearts with all diligence. Our Father does want us to come to him with broken spirits and broken and contrite hearts but not through being ignorant about our detrimental relationships with others.

There is no doubt about it; we need to discuss with God if we should be closely associated with these types of persons. The ones whom we need to love and pray for from afar are the very persons who drain our spirits, depress us and prey upon us, whether purposely or unintentionally. It is difficult to deny these people access to our lives when they continually burden us with the same conversations, the same complaints and the same attitudes.

When we realize, however, that they never take our Godly advice and that they never do what we suggest to resolve their own issues, it becomes clear that our relationships with God are being eroded through our relationships with them. They are toxic relationships, a form of being unequally yoked. If we persist in the belief that we are slowly influencing them and that we are long-suffering for good, then we need to think long and hard and often about the wisdom of that train of thought. 

Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits. (I Corinthians 15:33)

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20)

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (I Corinthians 5:6)

We have to also be sure that WE are uplifting to others. If we are critical of them, unfairly judgemental, always oppressive, non-receptive to learning from them, bearers of bad reports, complainers, holier-than-thou, etc., then maybe we should be removed from their lives through their own recognition of the truth. It works both ways. 

If we ask, God will give us seeing eyes and hearing ears to honestly evaluate our relationships so that we can walk in the light. The purity of our close associations is paramount to maintaining and strengthening our connection to God. Healthy relationships inspire and motivate us to higher heights in Christ Jesus.

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)