"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace
and the things by which one may edify another."
Romans 14:19
A minister was sitting in a hospital room with a patient who was one of his church members. A nurse came into the room to bring the man his medicine. The pastor noticed that she was very kind and considerate of the patient. He said to her, "I see Christ in your life. I appreciate your kindness and gentleness." She smiled and didn't know what to say. She quietly left the room. As the minister left the room, the nurse spoke to him, saying, "Your words really encouraged me. I want to live for the Lord, but sometime I fail Him." The pastor said, "We all fail sometime, but He is living His life through you."
The Bible encourages us to edify, that is to build up one another. Harsh criticism and judgmental words build up no one. Recognizing another person's positive points, and commending them, is one way we may edify others. To edify someone is to speak an encouraging word to them. It must not be confused with empty flattery. Quite the contrary, it's a genuine word of appreciation. The fault-finder is always looking for some one's mistakes, flaws and shortcomings. The person who edifies, sees that which is good in the life of another.
Be an encourager today. Ask the Lord to show you good qualities in others. When you identify one, speak a word of commendation. There's someone who needs to hear from you today. Build up others. Identify their strengths, as well as their talents and God-given abilities. Let them know how they have been a blessing to you. A fault-finder is constantly looking for the flaws in others. The builder looks for the good qualities that God has put in a person's life.
Prayer: Father, forgive us for being fault-finders. Use us to build up others. Lead us to someone who needs an encouraging word today, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
and the things by which one may edify another."
Romans 14:19
A minister was sitting in a hospital room with a patient who was one of his church members. A nurse came into the room to bring the man his medicine. The pastor noticed that she was very kind and considerate of the patient. He said to her, "I see Christ in your life. I appreciate your kindness and gentleness." She smiled and didn't know what to say. She quietly left the room. As the minister left the room, the nurse spoke to him, saying, "Your words really encouraged me. I want to live for the Lord, but sometime I fail Him." The pastor said, "We all fail sometime, but He is living His life through you."
The Bible encourages us to edify, that is to build up one another. Harsh criticism and judgmental words build up no one. Recognizing another person's positive points, and commending them, is one way we may edify others. To edify someone is to speak an encouraging word to them. It must not be confused with empty flattery. Quite the contrary, it's a genuine word of appreciation. The fault-finder is always looking for some one's mistakes, flaws and shortcomings. The person who edifies, sees that which is good in the life of another.
Be an encourager today. Ask the Lord to show you good qualities in others. When you identify one, speak a word of commendation. There's someone who needs to hear from you today. Build up others. Identify their strengths, as well as their talents and God-given abilities. Let them know how they have been a blessing to you. A fault-finder is constantly looking for the flaws in others. The builder looks for the good qualities that God has put in a person's life.
Prayer: Father, forgive us for being fault-finders. Use us to build up others. Lead us to someone who needs an encouraging word today, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
