KEY SCRIPTURE:1Thess 5:14 KJV “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men”.

Many of us easily give up or get discouraged with others, or do not “suffer long” with their shortcomings. Our key scripture is a very profound one. It reveals four categories of people that we must relate to. They are as follows:

1 The unruly

2 The feebleminded

3 The Weak

4 All men.

The first group are those who have set themselves against divine systems and order. They act against the scripture as well as established authority. The instruction for them is that they must be warned. If they repent, they are accepted and allowed to be part of the body. If they do not repent, they are treated in light of their status. This means if they are acting out of deceit, they are helped to be free from deceit. If they are treacherous or acting out of animosity, then they are treated as “publicans”. (Matt 18:15–18)

The second group is the feeble-minded. These are those who are easily deceived because they lack knowledge. They are often fearful and may act against the word of God, but are simply ignorant and feeble-minded. Such ones must be comforted or strengthened. They are strengthened by teaching them the truth. Some of us give up or get discouraged with such people. Remember that Satan does blind the minds of men according to 2 Corinthians 4:4. We need to labour in prayer for such brethren to be set free from the deception and blinding effect of the devil. Gal 4:19 KJV “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,” As you pray, keep visiting them to show the love of Christ to them.

There is a third group that the Bible calls the weak. The weak may be the elderly or some who are physically challenged. They may express certain actions that reveal gross weakness in many ways, for example, one who is addicted to a substance. The bases of such weakness may be coming from age, an ailment, or their inability to apply the scriptures. The Bible says we must support such people. The word support means to hold one firmly from falling or to hold up. This involves making sacrifices to perfect the shortcomings and lacks in that individual. To give up or get discouraged with such a one means leaving him or her to the mercy of their state. These ones also need prayer support.

(Eph 4:2)

The last group is all men. The Bible says we must be patient with all men. All men include every kind of personality we can think of or imagine. Many people would not bear with the inconsistencies in people because they are not ready to lose the comfort they enjoy. Do not get discouraged with people. Show dislike for wrong actions, but not dislike for the individual who never gives up.

CONFESSION

I understand that all men are different from one another. I, therefore, attend to all men with love and wisdom. I do not get discouraged with any of them.

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 3:12 KJV” Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”;

1Thessalonians 5:15 KJV” See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men”.