Edify

How we talk to ourselves matters.

How we talk to each other matters.

We can encourage ourselves or beat ourselves up.

We can lift one other up or tear each other down.

The choice is ours.

I could end our time together right there.

If I had one of those cartoon thought bubbles over my head, I would be embarrassed to let you see my inner dialogue and primal judgmental attacks on myself and others.

I can be quite harsh.

But what good does that do?

How does beating myself up or tearing another down bring light and love into this fallen world?

They don't.

So, for the literal love of God, can we stop it?

Can we stop the cruelty of punishment and reminders that we are not measuring up and instead talk about God's amazing love and redemption and the difference they have made in our lives?

Can we stop belittling one another and instead talk about how big and beautiful God's love is and how that love lives with every single one of us (yes, even them)?

Edification goes beyond staying quiet if you have nothing nice to say. It helps us to think the best of one another and encourage each other with love and kindness.

Greed and arrogance have tarnished the golden rule.

We could blame it all on the media and the powers that be manipulating us and cashing in on divisive clickbait and sensational violence.

But if we didn't click or watch, they wouldn't keep doing it.

I can't control you or them; I can only control myself.

Let me grab some cleaning supplies to polish off this golden rule.

I want to be treated well, so I should treat myself well.

If I want to be treated well, you should be treated well.

If you should be treated well, then, well, I should treat you well.

What if it's just that simple?

Sometimes the simplest things are the most powerful.

Our thoughts matter. They become our words.

Our words matter. They become our actions.

Our actions matter. They become our habits.

Our habits matter. They become our characters.

I've heard that said many ways, but today, it is a much-needed reminder.

More than ever, we must fight the temptation to slander and tear down, no matter how righteous we may puff ourselves up to be.

Let's work hard to talk to ourselves and others with encouragement, kindness, mercy, grace, and love.

Perhaps our thoughts and words bring edification and light into this world.

Because man, oh man, does it need it.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.

Proverbs 12:18

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.