Edification 101

The word edification means “building.” The simplest meaning of edify is “to speak in such a way that builds up or improves someone else in some way.” It is saying something that helps make them a better person because you said it to them. Edification is the direct opposite of corrupt speech, which tears down. It is not good enough to not say corrupting things and say nothing. Instead, we ought to speak in building-up kind of ways to those around us.

Edifying words are words offering real solutions to problems, conflicts, the needs of the person, etc. They are enabling words, not disabling words.

If you have seen the movie Amazing Grace about the story of William Wilberforce and his fight to see slavery abolished in England in the 1800’s, you know the life-long struggle that he went through.

In 1787, Wilberforce was persuaded to begin fighting for the abolishment of slavery and it wasn’t until 3 days before he died in 1833 – some 46 years later – that his lifelong quest would end.

Not too long after this difficult journey began, he received a letter in 1791 meaning to challenge him and edify him for the road ahead. It was from John Wesley and it read,

“My dear sir, Unless the Divine Power has raised you up…I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprises, in opposing that execrable villainy which is the scandal of religion [referring to slavery], of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils, [Now, here comes the edification.] but if God be for you who can be against you. Are all of them together stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of his might, till even American slavery, the vilest that ever saw the sun, shall vanish away before it. That he who has guided you from your youth up may continue to strengthen you in this and all things, is the prayer of, dear sir, your affectionate servant, John Wesley.”

It was words of edification like this that kept Wilberforce in the fight against slavery. It was “pep talks” like these that he received from John Newton, whom he viewed as a mentor, that kept him in pursuit of God-glorifying legislation like the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.

Some examples of edifying speech would be

• Encouragement (Romans 1:11-12; 15:4-6; I Corinthians 14:31; Ephesians 6:21-22; I Thessalonians 5:14)

• Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26)

• Words that are solution-oriented (II Peter 1:3)

• Singing (Ephesians 5:18-19)

Edification is others-centered speech. I guarantee you if Scripture is the meditation of your heart and mind day and night you will find yourself speaking to others to edify them.