Affirmation Builds

September 4 2022
Topic: Affirmation
Ed Wright

Speaker: Ed Wright

Audio Download

To Timothy, my true child in the faith…  1 Timothy 1:2 (ESV)

To Timothy, my beloved child…  2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)

To Titus, my true child in a common faith…  Titus 1:4 (ESV)

Only Timothy and Titus received from Paul this special description – “true child in the faith.” 

Why Is Affirmation So Needed?

  • Healing: There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)
  • Renewal and Refreshment: Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
  • Deeply satisfying to the heart and mind: The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 18:8 (ESV)

We Need to Affirm Others

18  This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,  19  holding faith and a good conscience. 1 Timothy 1:18-19a (ESV)

3  For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  4  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  5  We destroy  arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)

Hindrances To Our Affirming Others

  1. If you are out of “gas” physically and emotionally.
  2. If those you affirm get overly dependent on you.
  3. If those you affirmed take the affirmation over and try to affirm you instead of receiving it.
  4. If there has been deep hurt from the one you are seeking to affirm.
  5. If you think you are inadequate to affirm because of your past.
  6. If you don’t know how or where to begin to affirm.

Remember, affirmation builds, and you never know the power one affirmation can make.

Challenge: Look for one way you can affirm someone everyday this coming week, beginning today.

A List of Positive Affirmations for Anyone Who’s in Christ:

Pastor Craig Groeschel’s List of Positive Affirmations to Renew Your Mind