Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
2 Corinthians 13:5-10
Edification
Words for Christian Living – Edification
“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” 2 Corinthians 13:10 (KJV)
A lot of times as a pastor, preacher of the gospel there will be times things within the Church, the local congregation you lead with strike up a hot response in your heart. There are things that go on sometimes that ought to make us angry. We see a family angry at another family; one member mad with another member; and they are casting insults at one another. Maybe one member maligning another when the other being maligned is not guilty of much, or anything that is being charged. It could be a member you know is in personal sin. These things should cause some anger, with self-control [temperance] from the pastor, preacher.
In the above verse Paul has expressed that he should use “Sharpness” or “Severe reproofs and censures… the exercise of the apostolic rod” (John Gill Commentary e-Sword). You will note his words though “To edification”. It should never be the intent of correction, reproof, rebuke to destroy; but to always edify. To build up takes more effort than tearing down. Sometimes tearing down is necessary, but the ultimate end is for “Edification”
Words for Christian Living – Speech that Edifies
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 (KJV)
Someone once said, “It is better to be thought a fool; than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
In Paul’s writing above he speaks of the spiritual gift of “Tongues” and “Prophecy”. One of the things I have noticed is that many of those who claim the “Gift of tongues” want to make it a requirement for the “Baptism of the Spirit”. Now I am not going to get into that; just saying. Those may have a bigger problem controlling the tongue, speaking for the glory of God, rather than cursing.
At any rate Paul says Prophesy or Preaching the Word of God for building up, calling for a decision, and comfort is something that will “Edify” the Church; while “Tongues” edifies self. That is plenty clear to me.
As Christians our speech – the use of our tongues – is to glorify God, build up and encourage, strengthen – by calling for commitment, decision, and trust in the Lord – and comfort the Body of Christ. Also see James 3:1-12.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 