(1 Corinthians 10:23-24)…..All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. As we pursue ways to edify one another as Christians let us understand that it is really the Lord Himself working through us to edify His own. Keeping that in perspective keeps us from boasting in ourselves.
Edify literally means to build a house, used here it is promoting the spiritual growth of believers by the teaching of God’s Word, by our example in the faith. How does God bring about edification in the Church?
- Through gifting of the body of Christ – (Ephesians 4:11-12)
- Through each member of the body of Christ doing their part – (Ephesians 4:13-16)
- Through kind and graceful words to one another – (Ephesians 4:29)
- Through bearing the scruples (weaknesses) of our brethren – (Romans 15:1-6)
- Through the Word of God (Scriptures) – (Acts 20:31-32)
What can hinder the edification (building up) of the Church?
- Carnality in our faith – (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)
- Teaching and listening to false doctrine – (1 Timothy 1:3-4)
- Friendship with the world – (James 4:1-4)