What Does It Mean To Encourage?

There are more times in the Word when the Lord corrects and rebukes than there are positive words from our Lord.  He came to earth to show us our sinful nature, cause us to repent, and then instruct us in the Christian walk once we are saved.  This requires continual correction, we are a stubborn lot, all of us, need to be reminded that what we are doing, saying and thinking needs redirection.  When I meet a purely positive person I become nauseated when I hear the gooey sounds of flattery.  The Lord condemns such flattery by saying that those who do it are "spreading a net for your feet."  Flattery does not cause us to change our ways, it only leaves us feeling wonderful where we are.  And, it creates in us the pride that resists any correction that may be needed.  If we love our brother encourage him by telling the truth about his actions that he might learn to obey God.  Encouragement is not the same as flattery, in fact it is the opposite.  Encouragement tells us that we can do better and move forward and grow.  Flattery says that we are wonderful the way we are and that we don't need to grow.  I choose to be encouraged and not flattered.  Besides, the Lord told us not to trust a flatterer, he is only hoping to gain an advantage over us by it.