Wisdom in Helping

Anita Delene Manthe
Oct 13, 2017
3 min read

Trust cannot function when we don’t know what we’re told to trust in. We can’t profess, claim, and speak about trust on second hand information. Doing so comes from wearing a prideful mask – and we’ve worn it for many a season of time. We speak the words of trust, we profess the source of our trust is faith in God, and hope given by Him. When, in reality, our words are superfluous. They are the greatest vanity we own hiding an emptiness, and a desire to be seen as more than what we really are. Our reality is – we’re shallow. Empty.

Have you ever counseled someone like this? They insist they know it all, and that their trust is anchored in knowing God. They say they pray, and spend time with the Lord. And, you know they don’t. Too many contradictions have exposed them, and their empty faith. They don’t really pray, and their devotion times are seasonal – once in a very blue moon. Do you expose them, and their emptiness? Do you call them out, tell them they are shallow, and without faith. What do you do?

When counseling someone whose faith is minimal, weak, and possibly only in the beginning stages and needing of taking root and growing, how are we to encourage them?

Patience, gentleness, kindness and care – and prayer.

Take them back to the basics. Take them back to God. Teach them Truth. Show them where trust begins, and in Whom it is founded. Do this with forbearance and compassion – they may be a babe in the Lord, and in desperate need of discipling. The words you speak to them in this their season of immaturity and self-preservation are of great significance. Don’t break them. Build them up, in the more excellent faith.

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts (Jeremiah 15:16).
Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to you (Proverbs 22:17-19).
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation (Isaiah 12:2).
Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her (Proverbs 4:4-8).
A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench (Isaiah 42:3).
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life (Jude 20-21).