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.”
Pastor Herk continues that other words that edify and build up are those that rebuke. Proverbs 9:8 “ Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you: rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.” Both the words “reproof” and “Rebuke” in this verse are the same Hebrew word “yāḵaḥ”, meaning to be right or correct; reciprocal, to argue causatively, to decide, justify or convict:—appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correction, daysman (arbiter), dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason together, rebuke, reprove for the purpose of restoring to an upright position. Jesus tells us in Luke 17:3 “So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.”
We know many that are quick to point out the faults in others and have a negative attitude. No matter how positive the situation and conversation, they always find something to rebuke in order to tear others down and feel better about themselves. But, a rebuke that is handled correctly is actually crucial in imparting grace, edifying and building others up. The dictionary definition of “rebuke is to chide; to reprove; to reprehend for a fault; to check by reproof. To check or restrain. To chasten; to punish; to afflict for correction. To check; to silence. To check; to heal. To restrain; to calm. In Scripture, chastisement; punishment; affliction for the purpose of restraint and correction. The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” The Word of God is the standard and moral compass by which to measure.
In Revelation 3:19 the Lord declares, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” Nobody likes to be rebuked, but since we sometimes error rebuke is essential to our correction, to develop our character and our well-being. When we see a brother or sister who is involved in some kind of sin or harmful activity, the most loving thing that we can do is to rebuke that person in a gentle, manner for the purpose of correction to an upright position before God and build them up. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Other words that edify and build up are those that forgive. On this side of eternity, because we live among sinful human beings, there are going to be times when people say and do things that hurt. Galatians 5:19-21 tells us, “The acts of the flesh are obvious … hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy.” In this world we are going to experience trouble, but we can choose to respond to those hurts in a godly and positive manner. Dwelling on the negative aspects of living in a fallen world, which festers into bitterness or we can choose to forgive. This same Apostle Paul instructs us in Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Forgiveness characterizes our relationships within the body of Christ.
Ephesians 1:7-10 declares, “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” When we are hurt, chose to forgive and speak words of forgiveness to the other person, and thereby edifying two lives.
Other words that edify and build up are those that restore. The purpose of rebuking and forgiveness is always restoration. Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Words of encouragement, words of instruction, gentle words of rebuke, and forgiveness mark the born-again Christian, the child of God, the citizen of Heaven and the Phileo love in the brotherhood of man.
In Christ, Brian
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