For edification

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction. – 2 Corinthians 13.9-10

Paul’s desire for the churches he worked with was that they would be mature and complete as they grew in their faith. Growing up often brings growing pains.

Paul is clear – what we need is to just grow up. Growing up is not easy. It is full of hard times and tough lessons. We often complain about the trials of growing up, but we really can’t grow strong without them.

Paul defended his sharp language in dealing with the Corinthians. God gave Paul to edify, not destroy – but unless the Christians learn to grow up they will never be what God wants them to be. He saw the sense of putting things down in a letter because he was afraid in person he would be too angry. He could choose his words carefully.

That also tell me how important it is that we carefully choose our words to edify and not destroy. Paul says that he was given to edify. The reality is that we all are given for the same reason.

Tearing down is easy and it just seems to happen naturally. Those tearing down words just slip out. Edifying words take work, but they are are worth it.