Approved by God: It is impossible for anyone in the flesh to please God (Rom. 8:8, 7:5; 1 Cor. 2:10; Eph. 4:18) and the Bible warns of false converts (Acts. 8:18-21; 2 Tim. 4:10). However, God calls sinners to turn to Him, serve Him, and expectantly wait for Jesus' return (1 Thess. 1:9). This call affects their whole lives. So, it is reasonable for them to continually be examined and approved by Him (1 Thess. 2:4; 1 Cor. 4:4). Still, we are approved in as much as we are in Christ (Rom. 8:1-4; cf. Mk. 10:26-27); being in Christ, we conform to Him and serve His people with the joy of His Spirit (Acts 13:52; Rom. 14:17-19; 1 Thess. 1:6). Indeed, the Spirit within us is manifested by having a genuine love^{^[1]} for the church (Rom. 15:30; 2 Cor. 6:4-6; Col. 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:7). This love is the baseline to be a loving exhorter to our brothers and sisters.

Used by God: Ruin follows deceitful and flattering speech. Loving exhortations build up. The latter comes from pure motives but the former from impure. Of course, the quality of purity is measured against God and His word (Ps. 12:6; Prov. 30:5). Furthermore, the consequence of pure motives is speech as sweet as honey to those who hear (Prov. 22:11; Luke 4:22). What is sweeter to hear than Gospel truths? Therefore, if we are to be used by God and build up our brothers, then Christ must be at the center of our speech (1 Cor. 2:2). All that we say and do (1 Thess. 2:8) ought to build up others to conform to the perfect man - our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:22; Eph. 4:29).

[1] The life of the apostle Paul is an example in itself of a Spirit-filled person known by his genuine love for the churches, see Phil. 1:8, 1 Thess. 2:8. Beyond Paul, the epitome of this is found in the life of our Lord Jesus, see Luke 4:1; John 15:13; Rom. 5:8.