Mar 27 - "Building Up"

1 Corinthians 14:26-27 -- “What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”

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How much of your day yesterday was spent commenting, complaining, criticizing, gossiping or otherwise using words to do something besides speaking in a positive way? I certainly have days like these where it seems like I do nothing but spew out an unending stream of negativity. Every person I speak with on these kinds of days hears me complain about whatever is going wrong.

But does all of this negative talk help me? Venting can be an important cathartic activity when done genuinely in that way. “Getting it off your chest” can be a means to release the anger or frustration pent up inside, allowing a healthy cleansing of sorts. There are dozens of emails I have written and thankfully never sent, but the processing of putting down the words, reading and then promptly deleting them helped me work through the situation. It probably saved my job or a relationship on a few occasions. However, when we spend time in this gloomy and harmful state for too long and drag others into it, the value of the release can turn against us.

I have written previously about the power of words (Mar 2 - “Watch Your Mouth”). The spoken or written word can become powerful truths when repeated often enough. This is what Paul is telling us today. Our words can and should be used for building each other up. I do not think he was saying that we should make false statements or tell white lies in order to make someone feel good, even if we know the things are saying are not true. He is saying that when we are together, at all times, there is a way to use words to create a spirit of genuine support for one another.

The power of a person’s words, in my opinion, comes directly from the Spirit. Yes, words of anger and hate can come from the wrong kind of spirit, but the good ones, the ones which uplift, support and encourage certainly come from the Holy Spirit. When we hear a great speech, funny joke, an awesome song or other positive words, isn’t it funny how our first response is to share them with someone? We immediately forward a web link, call a loved one to tell the story, text to a friend or jam our earphones into the nearest family member, saying, “You’ve got to listen to this song!”. We know that the uplifting feeling we have is best when shared with others.

Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”; truer words were never spoken. When a person takes the time to offer us genuine words of encouragement for something we have done well, it makes us want to do more of that good thing. I don’t think the way this is described as “building up” is accidental; the kind words make us stronger, enabling us to continue down a positive path.

So, today I offer you words of encouragement. You are perfect in the eyes of your Creator. You have been given gifts of grace and intelligence that are unique and special to you, even if the world tells you differently. Your smile is a thing of beauty. You have value. You are loved!