What Would Happen If We Removed the Filter?

Filters are a part of our everyday lives. We filter coffee grounds in the morning to ensure we meet the day with a delicious cup of wakefulness without choking on black sludge. We use water filters to purify and guard us from harmful bacteria and toxins. We have air filters in our homes and vehicles to keep invisible particles away from our lungs. We put filters on photos before sharing them. I personally love the noise filters on my headphones that cut out distractions and allow me to focus.

Not only do we have physical filters, we also have internal ones. We often filter our thoughts and words before they leave our mouths. And we should do this. It isn’t wise to say every unkind or intrusive thought that pops into our minds. These filters preserve and protect our relationships and keep us from hurting those around us. Proverbs 21:23 says, “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” Yes, our words have the potential to destroy if we don’t wisely apply this verse and use a filter.

But here is the problem:

Many of us use the same kind of filter when it comes to encouragement.

Think about the last time you noticed someone doing something great, a co-worker who worked hard on a project, a friend who showed kindness, or a family member who quietly carried a burden. Chances are, you thought something encouraging about them. But did you actually say it out loud?

If you are like most of us, the answer is probably no. Somewhere between our thoughts and our mouths, a filter kicked in. We assumed they already knew. Or we did not want to sound awkward. Or we told ourselves we would say it later but never got around to it.

And just like that, the encouragement stayed stuck behind the filter.

The Bible repeatedly calls us to encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” That means we are supposed to encourage others until Jesus comes back. God’s Word shows us that encouragement is not optional for those who follow Jesus. Encouragement is actually part of our spiritual DNA.

What would happen if we removed the filter?

I believe marriages would be stronger. Friendships would deepen. Workplaces would become healthier. Because every time you speak encouragement, you are literally putting courage into someone else.

It may sound strange, but before C.S. Lewis became a household name in Christian apologetics, he was plagued with self-doubt about his writing. But he had a friend by the name of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings, who continually encouraged him to write boldly and defend the Christian faith through literature. In fact, it was Tolkien’s encouragement during their long walks and conversations that helped Lewis move from a stubborn atheism to a passionate faith in Christ. Later, when Lewis began writing Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters, Tolkien was among the first to read and support his work. And because of his friend’s encouragement, Lewis went on to become one of the most influential Christian thinkers of the modern era, shaping countless believers worldwide.

That is what the word encourage means: to put courage in. When you encourage someone, you are not just being nice. You are transferring strength. You are helping them take the next step, to try again, or to believe that something they thought was impossible might actually be possible.

Author and leadership expert John Maxwell has often said, “Encouragement is oxygen for the soul. Without it, people suffocate under discouragement, criticism, and self-doubt. But with it, they rise. They take risks. They walk in faith. They discover that God’s calling on their life is bigger than their fear.”

Hebrews 3:13 reminds us, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Notice two things. First, it says daily. Encouragement is not just for birthdays, milestones, or big accomplishments. It is meant to be part of our everyday lives. And second, encouragement protects us. It guards our hearts from being hardened by sin and discouragement.

Paul echoes this in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Encouragement is constructive language. Every word of encouragement is like laying another brick in the wall of someone’s faith. Our words can help build others into the people God is calling them to be.

Proverbs 16:24 tells us that, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Last weekend Pastor Dave reminded us what an encourager looks like by introducing us to a man in Scripture named Barnabas. His name literally means Son of Encouragement. Barnabas was instrumental in establishing the early church, and God used him to encourage and strengthen the Apostle Paul as well as the church in Antioch. Encouragement has the power to change lives, transform communities, and propel people into their calling.

Why don’t we do it more?

If encouragement is this powerful, why don’t we do it more?

We assume, “She knows she is gifted” or “He knows he did a great job.” We don’t want to sound cheesy or awkward. We underestimate its impact and think our words are too small to matter. But what feels small to us can be life-changing for someone else.

Encouragement can feel vulnerable. But the potential blessing far outweighs a few seconds of awkwardness.

Mother Teresa once said, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

It may be hard to see, but every small word of encouragement carries more weight than we realize. Mark Twain once quipped, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”

What happens when we remove the filter?

Imagine what would happen if every encouraging thought actually made it out of your mouth.

In families, spouses would feel cherished instead of taken for granted. Children would grow up confident in who God made them to be. Parents would be reminded that their hard work is noticed.

In the workplace, instead of just pointing out what went wrong, encouragement would create environments where people thrive, take initiative, and innovate.

In the church, serving teams would be energized, leaders would be strengthened, and newcomers would feel like they truly belong.

Encouragement has a multiplying effect. When you speak courage into someone, it often spills over into how they treat others. A single unfiltered word of encouragement can ripple through families, workplaces, and entire communities.

At Coastal, we often talk about building community. Encouragement is one of the primary tools God has given us to do that. A healthy church is not built on criticism or competition but on the steady rhythm of people speaking life and courage into one another.

In Romans 1:12, Paul writes, “That you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” When you encourage someone, you often find that your own faith is strengthened in the process.

Imagine if everyone in our church family committed to removing the filter and speaking encouragement daily. The atmosphere of our conversations would be very different than the norm. And what if our city began to regard us as a community marked not by cynicism, but by encouragement?

Take the challenge

So here is the challenge for you this week. Every time you think something encouraging about someone, say it. Don’t let it get stuck behind the filter.

If you notice a coworker’s effort, tell them. If you appreciate a friend’s kindness, say it. If your spouse or child does something worth celebrating, don’t assume they know—tell them. They need it just as much as you do.

Maybe even write a note, send a text, or make a call. However you do it, remove the filter and allow encouragement to flow out of you.

And remember, encouragement doesn’t have to be profound. Sometimes the simplest words, “I see you,” “I appreciate you,” or “You’re making a difference” carry the most weight.

We live in a world where negativity and criticism are unfiltered. Scroll through social media or turn on the news, and you’ll see plenty of that. But what if the people of God flipped the script?

I believe we would see courage rise, faith grow, and the body of Christ become stronger.

So, this week, don’t hold back. Remove the filter. Speak life. Put courage into someone who needs it. You never know how God might use your words.