peggywritesblog

Building Up or Breaking Down?

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. Ecclesiastes 3:3b ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

The wall around Jerusalem has been broken down and built up again many times in its history.

Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything. When I look at our world, our country, our cities and towns and even our churches, I see a great need for healing and for building up. It breaks my heart to see churches splitting and brothers and sisters in Christ criticizing each other and breaking down rather than encouraging and building up.

Many of Paul’s letters to the early churches include verses on how church members are to interact with each other; don’t use corrupt talk, speak only what is good for building up, give grace, strive to excel in building up the church (the people), pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up building, equip the saints for … building up the body of Christ, unity of the faith, let all things be done for building up, and encourage one another.

We can actually apply this advice to all of our interactions. Are we building people up by speaking encouragement and kindness, truth and hope? If I look back at my own speech at different times over my life, there are times when I was not kind or encouraging. I, sadly, did not choose to build up. And it was these times that reminded (and continue to remind) me to speak “only such as is good for building up.” I also learned to listen to others first, say a quick prayer before responding, and keep Paul’s advice in mind. I’m sure that all of us have been on both sides, being built up or broken down.

This week, let’s pause to listen before we choose to speak. Let’s choose our words to build others up and encourage them. Let’s remember that everyone we speak to was created and is loved by God. Let’s choose to give grace.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we follow Paul’s advice and become better at building up others in all of our interactions.

Blessings and encouragement as we all choose to build up and not to break down!

11 comments

  1. Whatsoever things are lovely, comes to mind. As I’ve gotten older, I have learned to choose my words carefully. The tongue has such power for good. A soft answer turns away wrath. Choosing to edify rather than crucify can be a challenge in today’s toxic climate. But we must choose to be the change we want to see in our world. Seek peace, and pursue if.
    Another great devotional piece, Peggy. 🙏

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  3. A timely piece, indeed, Peggy. Everything appears to be fracturing now, and the global situation is fraught with uncertainty, intolerance, hatred and violence. The world is a scary place, but we each still have the choice whether to break or build. I hope cooler heads prevail and the world’s wounds can begin the arduous task of healing. “Build bridges, not walls,” right?

    Your messages are helpful and instructive as always, and come from a compassionate heart. Thanks for sharing this with us, my friend. (Also, please pardon my absence–life is weird and unpredictable and knocks us down unexpectedly sometimes.) Here’s wishing you a good weekend ahead. 😊

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