To Build Up and Glorify

There are so many ways to communicate. In this day and age there is no limit to the possibilities of who we can talk to, and influence. Likewise, there is no shortage of ways to glorify God. 

First off, I'd like to define some of the words that I'll use:

1. Glorify- to honor with praise, admiration, or worship

2. Insult- to treat or speak to insolently or with contemptuous rudeness; affront.

3. Help- to make easier or less difficult; contribute to

4. Build Up- a process of growth; strengthening; development 

        I've found that there are three major ways in our life that we affect others:

1. Our Actions

2. Our Words

3. Our Thoughts

            Our actions are one of the most powerful ways to affect others. Not only can you affect them physically with your body, but you can also, by the way you act or "carry yourself," set an example to everyone we cross paths with. We must always be conscious that though it may seem that no one could possibly notice you, you can never know who will notice your actions.

            Our words, another very powerful tool, are possibly, the hardest of the three to control. The words we use can be a tool to build others up, or a weapon to insult and tear others down. As it says in James 3:5 “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” We see here that, though the tongue is a small part of the body it can do the damage to a soul that an army of a 1,000 men can do to one man.  We must be watchful and wary of what we say, as with our actions, you never know who might be listening. Who will be affected by what we say?

          

Now, although it may not seem like our thoughts can affect others, we do not realize just how much they do. The Bible says in Matthew 5:22 "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment."  This verse shows us just how much our thoughts affect others, and us.  When we think ill of people, I believe it wrong on a number of levels. First, if we think it there’s a good chance that we end up saying it at some point. Secondly, if we think badly of someone, we become subject to God’s judgment. Thirdly, which I think might be the most important; when we think badly about people we are literally insulting God. Yes, you heard me right; when we think ill of people we are insulting God and his creation. God made every one unique; when he made them He said “it is good.” So, if God said it’s good, then who are we to say it’s not? Are we on such a level to say that what God has made good, is bad?

Likewise, the same three ways three ways with which we affect others are the same ways that we can glorify God. But, in order to glorify God, we must empty ourselves of self, to serve others for the Glory of God the Father.

In our actions the example we set, is crucial to how we glorify God. We never know who will see what we do. No matter how young you are you can have an impact on anyone’s life as it says in 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Even though someone may be older than you, that doesn’t mean that you can’t affect them. Also, the older people must strive to make sure the set a good example for the younger to follow.

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” What does it mean to have our speech be seasoned with salt? Salt adds flavor, thus if we speak with words that are “seasoned with salt” we are blessing those that hear it with words of truth. Job 21:34 “‘So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!’” We can see, when other speak nonsense it does not help, build up, or edify, it has no value for anything. Likewise, if we are the ones talking nonsense you aren’t going to be appreciated because your words are WORTHLESS.

Glorifying God with our thoughts, sounds simple right? Well, this is actually a very difficult and, possibly, the most difficult to correct. Because our thoughts control the words we speak and the words we say, our thoughts must be cleansed first. We can’t speak clean wholesome speech if our mind is filled with “Trash-like thoughts.” In order to purge our minds of the filth that grows there we must pray to the Father, and ask that he empty our minds of the mindset of this world. Then, after He has stripped those thoughts from our mind, we ask that he fill that void with Himself. The gap that is left must be filled with the Christ like mindset.  To be humble in our thoughts, and to be utterly surrendered to Him, then, and only then, can He begin changing our words and actions.

           

                       

If you want to contact me directly, the address I use for this blog is: givmejesus@gmail.com