2 Timothy 2 Pt. 6 Speak Words Of Truth That Edify Rather Than Tear Down

Always keep God's Truth in the forefront of our minds. 

2 Timothy 2:14  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 

As we proceed through Paul's instruction to pastor Timothy, we must remember that all Christians are recipients of this truth. 

Thus, while the primary application is for pastors, elders and church leaders, yet it also applies to each individual Christian, for our godly pastors are examples for us to follow.

Paul shows Timothy that a pastor must constantly teach and preach the gospel of Christ and the apostolic doctrines. 

The apostle knows that all Christians need the repetition of God's truth so that it takes root in our minds. 

A pastor must work diligently to edify those whom he is responsible for ministering to. He does this by helping us remember the truths that we already know.  

A pastor's work is not to tell us some new or novel thing that we have not heard before.  Rather, it is to refresh us in the truths that we do know.  

So far in this chapter, Paul has compared pastoral life to being a well prepared soldier serving in the army of Christ, ready to follow the Captain of his salvation (Hebrews 2:9-18).

The apostle showed Timothy that a pastor must be willing to put in the hard labor like a farmer does. 

He prepares fields for planting, applies fertilizer to the soil, irrigates crops and eliminate weeds in order to facilitate a bountiful harvest. 

The difference is that the field a pastor works in is full of the souls of men, women and children who must be led to saving faith in Jesus Christ. 

Paul showed Timothy that a pastor must discipline himself in regard to spiritual matters and the things of God. A pastor must live by the gospel and be a good example for others to follow. 

A pastor must commit himself to spending much time studying the scriptures. He must regularly pray to the Father and personally worship God, in order to receive strength necessary for ministry.

Paul commands Timothy to put the churches in remembrance of these things. 

Why? Because it is of great importance for the church and individual Christians to grasp the truth and live by what God says. 

A primary reason why we must all labor to hear and heed the scriptures as they are preached and taught, is to keep our hearts on the gospel.

Too many Christians get into verbal battles over meaningless things and lob incendiary words at other Christians or unbelievers. 

Harsh words or a vindictive spirit about things that do not matter for eternity, must be avoided.

Paul's instruction about this is even more relevant today in the world of unfiltered social media, where every fool can find a platform. 

Our priority must be speaking God's truth in love. 

Ephesians 4:15-16  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

Every Christian is to speak the truth in love to all people. When we speak God's truth with love, seeking the best for those with whom we speak, then such speech will build them up in the faith. 

Our words must communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ, because it is the power of God unto salvation (See Romans 1:16).

Our words must edify Christians and build them up in their faith. We must not speak words that run counter to the gospel. 

Paul tells Timothy that harsh words about things that do not matter for eternity, run the risk of subverting of those who hear. 

The word subvert means to overthrow or to overturn. The Greek word translated "subverting" is contained in the word "catastrophe." 

Thus, Paul shows Timothy that there is no profit and that nothing good will come out of harsh words. 

A pastor, elder, church leader or parent does not seek to subvert souls, but rather to build them up in the faith and the truth of the gospel.

If any Christian hearing the gospel is subverted from its truth, then he or she is not edified, but is torn down and turned away from God's truth. 

Harsh words and hateful attitudes will subvert the beautiful gospel truth that pastors, elders, church leaders or parents, seek to instill in our hearts. 

The Word of God can destroy or build up, but edification is the goal.

2 Corinthians 13:10  Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. 

Paul wrote two letters to the church at Corinth because they had many spiritual problems that needed correction and instruction from the apostle. 

Paul expressed his sincere desire to use his apostolic instruction for edification and building up believers in faith in Jesus Christ. 

God's Word used to delivers a sinful man to destruction. 

1 Corinthians 5:1-5  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2)  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3)  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4)  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5)  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 

A certain man of the church at Corinth, lived in open sin, committing fornication with his father's wife. Paul rebuked the church, because they somehow gloried in the mans sin. 

Some false teachers taught that sin abounds so that grace can more abound, thus those who sin were actually promoted the grace of God. 

This is a great and vile perversion of the gospel that Paul addressed many times (See Romans 6:1-14).

Paul rebuked the Corinthians because they did not mourn of this man's sin nor did they pray for him to be removed because his sin brought reproach upon the gospel of Christ. 

He did not want to employ his authority to destroy those who willfully live in sin. There was a man at Corinth who flagrantly sinned and the church did not deal with his sin. 

Therefore, Paul used his apostolic authority to deliver that man over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh. 

He used his power to allow the devil to lead this man into self destruction so that the glorious name of Jesus Christ is not blasphemed. 

The power of God's Word led this man to repentance. 

2 Corinthians 2:1-8  But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2)  For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 3) And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4)  For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 5)  But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. 6)  Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7)  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8)  Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 

Paul's intent was that this man might become convicted of his wicked ways, repent and turn to Christ, seeking forgiveness. 

The apostle knew that godly sorrow leads to repentance (See 2 Corinthians 7:10).

This man did repent and confess his sin and Paul did urge the church body at Corinth to forgive him and communicate their love to him. (See 2 Corinthians 2:1-8).

Parameters for godly speech and edifying words. 

Colossians 4:6  Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 

Our words should contain the sweet influence of the grace of God upon our hearts. 

Psalm 141:3  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. 

We can pray daily, asking the LORD to help us guard against speaking words without thinking. 

Psalm 19:14  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. 

The goal of our words should always be to express the glory of God and His saving grace. 

We should always ask ourselves "Is what I am about to say good and acceptable in God's sight?" If the answer is "No" then we should not speak those thoughts. 

Ephesians 4:29-30  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30)  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

We must avoid corrupt communication which sounds like the hateful arrogance of the culture we live in. 

Instead, our words should build people up in the faith, or should speak the gospel of Christ to the lost, hoping for their salvation. 

Failure to exercise care in the words that we speak, can result in our grieving the Holy Spirit of God. 

Therefore, we must determine to do all we can to fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God.

We must exercise great care to speak the truth of God in love.

We must guard against using incendiary words that tear people down.

We must ask the Holy Spirit to help our words be seasoned with grace.

We must pray for the LORD to set a watch over our mouths, restraining us from speaking any evil words or hateful thoughts. 

Bob