God has really been working in my heart lately regarding the words we use in conversation. In my many failures, especially in my family, I am learning that my words can build others up or tear them down. Not a new concept, but one that is broken often...and it is not much different in the Christian community as a whole. The shock value of using sarcastic humor or rude, derogatory terms when talking to each other only tears down and never builds up. Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. I’ve been humbled this week with this reminder from God’s word!
So, what does this all have to do with mentoring? It is impossible to build trusting, God-centered relationships with others while using humor and language that does not honor God. Mentoring fits well in the verse above: mentoring builds others up, doesn’t tear them down.
I pray for God to bring to our minds Ephesians 4:29 this month as we have conversations with others; and I pray he calls us out when we fail! It is ok to fail...we have a great opportunity to grow when we fail. However, failure is not ok when we choose to stay stuck in the patterns of this world. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!
Seek out those people in your everyday lives and get into relationship with them. As a Christ-Follower, we represent Him to the world...and He builds us up! Why wouldn’t we do the same for everyone else?
1 Thessalonians 5: 11a Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...
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