What is considered edifying?

[missmuffet]

2 hours ago, Hopefully said:

I am not a new member here but obviously I could use some training on what is edifying and what is not.

Being in a spiritual war -as in any war- we should know our enemy.

The Bible tells us a lot about our enemies and what to look out for.

False teachers is an example of an enemy.

The Bible teaches us about false teachers.

Why is it that if I speak on false teachers it is considered not edifying and the post is shut down with zero arguments happening?

Why do posts get shut down that have not broken the terms of service?

Why does my post get shut down because arguments (might happen) but there are posts here with arguments actually happening that are up for all to see.

Would Jesus shut down a post warning people not to argue stating it’s a trick of false teachers to get people to argue.

@George 

 

 

 

Why is edification important in the life of a Christian?

 

ANSWER

What is edification, and why is it so important in the lives of believers? The word used for “edification” in the New Testament is oikodomé, which translates literally as “the building of a house.” The word appears in the King James Bible only about 20 times, and then only in the New Testament. It is translated into phrases such as “building up” in more modern translations. Interestingly, its usage is also limited to Paul’s letters. The dictionary definition of edify is “to instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge.” According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the word indicates the promotion of “spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by teaching or by example, suggesting such spiritual progress as the result of patient labor.”

Vine’s definition captures the meaning rather well. Edification is more than just encouragement; it includes any activity that results in more Christlikeness, either in oneself or in another believer. Edification may be individual or corporate. Individually, one can edify oneself by participating in the various spiritual disciplines (Bible intake, private prayer, private worship, etc).

Generally, however, the concept of edification in the New Testament is applied to the corporate body (mutual edification). Mutual edification involves helping one another along the road to Christlikeness, and it requires the participation of all members of the church. Teaching and preaching improve our understanding of God; encouragement promotes conduct that develops Christlike character. When we exhort one another and hold one another accountable, we are prompted to engage in activities that promote godliness. Accountability means we lovingly check each other’s spiritual progress. Christlike service ensures that the needs of the church are met, and true fellowship is the interaction we have with each other on a deeper spiritual level. The corporate nature of edification cannot be overemphasized. Without mutual edification, the church becomes a collection of spiritual weaklings, a perpetual nursery for spiritual infants, rather than a body (1 Corinthians 12:27) or a building (Ephesians 2:20-22).

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:12 and repeatedly in 1 Corinthians 14:1-26 that edification is one of the reasons that spiritual gifts are given to believers. In 2 Corinthians, Paul states no fewer than three times that the “building up” of the church is the reason for his apostolic authority (10:8, 12:19, and 13:10). Paul’s goal was to edify. In 1 Corinthians 10:23 and Ephesians 4:16, he states that the church must work to edify itself for the overall health of each member. Finally, each of us is commanded to engage in edification (Romans 14:19; 15:2; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

The church exists in community. Throughout the New Testament, the language is rich with communal imagery. The church is described as Christ’s flock, His body, and His building. None of these metaphors denote an individual entity. Paul expounds on this concept in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, describing the interdependence of the parts of the human body and the necessity of each. He goes so far as to say that we’re actually “members of one another” in Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV).

An analogy is instructive here. The Gothic arch was a very popular structure in medieval architecture. The primary advantage of the arch was its strength and stability, which it derived from the fact that each stone in the arch leaned on the one beside it. This system of mutual support enabled the construction of much larger structures than might otherwise have been built. The Gothic arch could be a symbol of the church. The very fact that we need one another gives the church its strength. And the minute we decide to stop leaning on one another, we fall.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-edification.html

Edited March 12, 2022 by missmuffet

[Hopefully]

3 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

What is edification, and why is it so important in the lives of believers?

Thank you very much. This is good information. 

[Alive]

I have been here for quite some time and more than two years as an Admin. Lately, there has been much more of all kinds of finger pointing at members as being false teachers and I can't just now think of a single time when it was warranted. Other than as it relates to a some of Helen White stuff.

Frankly--I have grown over-tired of it. It always leads to strife and harm to the visible members and only our Lord knows the harm inflicted on the silent lurkers.

Starting a thread on 'false teachers' in general without specific scriptural evidence to a specific 'false teaching' we can all or nearly all agree on--serves to raise that spectre once again in the hearts and minds of some members who already 'think' someone is a  false teacher. This can never be edifying.

The enemy is wily and uses all manner of innocent looking things to cause harm and disillusionment...THAT is where I saw that thread going. Encouraging some members to speak ill of brethren and thereby sinning.

Again, perhaps I over-reacted, but this is my rational.

If there is a specific 'false doctrine' to be discussed than let's do so. With scripture and an acute awareness that what one thinks is false may very well not be at all, but rather what that person currently believes.

There are indeed obvious (to most with any knowledge at all) false teaching that near all of us can agree on....we all know it exists.

We all know because we read the bible.

We have a choice--to build up or to tear down.

In my estimation, to come to a discussion forum such as this with a goal to 'save people from false teachers' is problematic in itself.

A mission? A crusade?

Best left outside.

IMO

P.S.--I take this responsibility seriously before our common Lord, Savior and Almighty God.

P.S.S.

I will unhide that OP and see what happens.

[Hopefully]

16 minutes ago, Alive said:

I will unhide that OP and see what happens.

Is there anyway it can be opened but closed to further comments?

Its something important I wanted to share.

If you believe it will lead to arguments, at least the information could be viewable but closed to comments. 

Edited March 12, 2022 by Hopefully

[Alive]

12 minutes ago, Hopefully said:

Is there anyway it can be opened but closed to further comments?

Its something important I wanted to share.

If you believe it will lead to arguments, at least the information could be viewable but closed to comments. 

As the OP--if you request that, then yes this can be done.

I would like for 'this' discussion to remain as an object lesson for us all.

Let me know.

[Hopefully]

1 minute ago, Alive said:

Let me know.

Thank you for giving me an option. 
 

Please make the post viewable but closed to further comments.

[Alive]

5 minutes ago, Hopefully said:

Thank you for giving me an option. 
 

Please make the post viewable but closed to further comments.

You are welcome. Its as you requested.

[OneLight]

Not closed to further comments yet ... 4 hours + later ...

[appy]

55 minutes ago, OneLight said:

Not closed to further comments yet ... 4 hours + later ...

 

This  thread is in reference to another thread,  and it has been locked as requested.

[Starise]

Again, perhaps I over-reacted, but this is my rational.

Yes you did. If your rational is wrong you need to re examine it.

The last time I checked that post no names were given . Only situations that happened here.

If something happened after that I apologize. The situations I mentioned DO occur. Do we want to sweep that under the carpet?

If you don't see me after this it's Alive deleting all of my posts.

Edited March 13, 2022 by Starise