Tearing Down – Part II
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. – James 3:2
As children we would oftentimes recite, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This would be helpful if it were true! Words do hurt others. Author Robert Fulghum stated correct sentiment when he wrote, “Sticks and stones will break our bones, but words will break our hearts.” We all have been harmed by the words of others. While the pain is not physical, the emotional wounds can last a lifetime. I have counseled with people that continue to feel the pain of a cruel word that might have been spoken decades ago. In this article we will explore what the Bible says about our words. In light of scripture we can determine if our words are building up or tearing down others.
In the verse above, James describes the great challenge of bridling our tongues. The first step to using edifying words is to understand that it is a great challenge to keep our tongue in check. James writes that a man who does not offend in his speech is a complete man who is able to display self-control in all aspects of his life. Are you at this point in your life? I continue to be a work in progress! The tongue is a small organ but wields great influence. James likens it to a horse’s bridle and a ship’s rudder (James 3:3-5). In verse 5 he writes of the great fire that the tongue can start. This week we have been made starkly aware of the devastating force of natural fires. Hurtful words, gossip, slander, and evil speaking can cause its own destruction.
The Bible instructs us to bridle our tongues. While it is a challenge to our carnal natures, it is entirely possible for the Christian to accomplish. James likens us to fountains and fig trees. In James 3:11-12 he writes, “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh?” As God’s children that have been made alive by his Spirit, we are to produce sweet waters. Our tongues are to bear fruit that is honoring to our master. He concludes in writing that wisdom is manifested by a good conversation seasoned with meekness (v.13). Are your words seasoned with wisdom?
In Matthew 12:34 Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Our words are indicative of what is going on in our heart. In light of Jesus’ teaching we need to understand that inappropriate words are not merely ‘slip-ups.’ They are outward manifestations of what we are carrying inside of us. If we are harboring anger, bitterness, etc. then our conversations will be seasoned with such things. This should motivate us to put away evil thinking and focus on things that are lovely, just, and pure (Philippians 4:8).
Take care when you speak to others. The things that we say can cause great damage to others. Pay careful attention when you converse with your wife, husband or children. Sometimes we say things to them that we would never speak to anyone else! Be careful not to offend your brother or sister in the church by engaging in gossip or careless communication. Remember, the tiny tongue can start a huge fire! Solomon wrote that, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” While hurtful words can cause great damage, a fitly spoken word can be a beautiful thing. Let us labor to build up others with our words.
Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Article - Tearing Down
Tearing Down
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. – Romans 14:19
I have recently undertaken a project that involves disassembling an old structure on my property. I had forgotten how much easier it is to tear down something than it is to build it up. Boards are pounded out with ease and there is even a certain euphoria involved with busting through old drywall with reckless abandon. One does not have to exercise much care when tearing something apart. However, there is usually a big mess left to clean up afterwards as you sift through the battered debris.
The same principle applies to the manner in which we interact with other people. We find it easier to tear other people down than build them up. The satisfaction derived from this practice is that it somehow makes us feel better about ourselves. I assure you that this emotion is short lived and like my construction project at home, there is usually a mess to clean up. The wreckage of hurt feelings, resentment, and bitterness is infinitely more difficult to mend than any natural destruction that we can cause.
The Bible instructs us to follow after things that edify. The word edify means to build up or establish. The Apostle Paul instructs the Roman church to seek those things that make for peace and build up those around them. They were fighting over days of the week and what type of meat was acceptable to eat. Paul recognized that there were those in this church that were tearing one another down. His command was for them to build up one another. In his letters to the Corinthian and Ephesian churches, he states that God blessed them with gifts for the edifying of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:12, Ephesians 4:12). As God’s children who have been quickened by the Spirit, we all have unique abilities that can edify another in many aspects of life. Is your church a place where people are constantly being built up or is everyone trying to selfishly tear one another down? What about your home? What about work? We all have the capacity to either encourage or discourage someone else.
It takes some work on our part to build up another person. First we must put away selfishness and pride. The Bible refers to our tendency to be selfish as “living after the flesh” (Romans 8:12). It is our nature to be selfish. When we are living after the flesh we will both knowingly and unknowingly tear others down in order to make ourselves look better. However, whatever satisfaction is garnered from this action is short lived, because the flesh is never satisfied. We must further tear down others to feel better about ourselves. This is a very destructive cycle! The Bible teaches us that true joy and contentment comes from the labor of building up others. If we actively seek ways to encourage others then we receive true joy. This is our responsibility as citizens in the kingdom of God. Paul wrote, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men (Romans 14:17-18).”
You can choose to build up or tear down by the words you speak to another. How many times have we caused hurt feelings amongst our brothers/sisters in Christ, family members or friends because of an inappropriately spoken word? In Proverbs 25:11, the wise man Solomon wrote that, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Let us labor to build up one another in both action and deed, and follow after peace.
Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. – Romans 14:19
I have recently undertaken a project that involves disassembling an old structure on my property. I had forgotten how much easier it is to tear down something than it is to build it up. Boards are pounded out with ease and there is even a certain euphoria involved with busting through old drywall with reckless abandon. One does not have to exercise much care when tearing something apart. However, there is usually a big mess left to clean up afterwards as you sift through the battered debris.
The same principle applies to the manner in which we interact with other people. We find it easier to tear other people down than build them up. The satisfaction derived from this practice is that it somehow makes us feel better about ourselves. I assure you that this emotion is short lived and like my construction project at home, there is usually a mess to clean up. The wreckage of hurt feelings, resentment, and bitterness is infinitely more difficult to mend than any natural destruction that we can cause.
The Bible instructs us to follow after things that edify. The word edify means to build up or establish. The Apostle Paul instructs the Roman church to seek those things that make for peace and build up those around them. They were fighting over days of the week and what type of meat was acceptable to eat. Paul recognized that there were those in this church that were tearing one another down. His command was for them to build up one another. In his letters to the Corinthian and Ephesian churches, he states that God blessed them with gifts for the edifying of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:12, Ephesians 4:12). As God’s children who have been quickened by the Spirit, we all have unique abilities that can edify another in many aspects of life. Is your church a place where people are constantly being built up or is everyone trying to selfishly tear one another down? What about your home? What about work? We all have the capacity to either encourage or discourage someone else.
It takes some work on our part to build up another person. First we must put away selfishness and pride. The Bible refers to our tendency to be selfish as “living after the flesh” (Romans 8:12). It is our nature to be selfish. When we are living after the flesh we will both knowingly and unknowingly tear others down in order to make ourselves look better. However, whatever satisfaction is garnered from this action is short lived, because the flesh is never satisfied. We must further tear down others to feel better about ourselves. This is a very destructive cycle! The Bible teaches us that true joy and contentment comes from the labor of building up others. If we actively seek ways to encourage others then we receive true joy. This is our responsibility as citizens in the kingdom of God. Paul wrote, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men (Romans 14:17-18).”
You can choose to build up or tear down by the words you speak to another. How many times have we caused hurt feelings amongst our brothers/sisters in Christ, family members or friends because of an inappropriately spoken word? In Proverbs 25:11, the wise man Solomon wrote that, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Let us labor to build up one another in both action and deed, and follow after peace.
Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)