Building or Tearing

DEVOTION

2 CORINTHIANS

BUILDING OR TEARING

2 Cor 13:5-10

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority — the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

NIV

We just knew we would have to revisit this same passage because of all the meat which is within it. Our last visit was all about the test and how we either pass or fail, but now we need to see the truth about building up instead of tearing down as well as praying for the perfection of others. It would seem everything we do in the body of Christ should be for the purpose of building others up and seeking their perfection. Now that might appear to be to diametrically opposed activities for in the pursuit of seeking another’s perfection we might be tempted to tell them of all their mistakes, trying to show them where they are not perfect. This could of course be construed as being judgmental as well as having a superior attitude. It may not be as helpful as we think to point out someone’s mistakes in an effort to seek their perfection, although we certainly see Paul doing that in his letter to the Corinthians. However, he had the authority from God to instruct them in the correct behaviors as well as sight those behaviors which were not appropriate. Yet as we live within the body of Christ we do have a responsibility to serve one another in much the same way. When we are aware of a brother or sister who is behaving in a manner which is not pleasing to God, we should make some effort to help them. How we do that is the problem. We absolutely need the leading of the Holy Spirit, rather than the leading of our own feelings or our won self-righteousness. Our main goal should always be to build others up rather than tearing them down. If we tear someone down it is mostly due to our thinking more of ourselves then we should, or because we are self-righteous. We need to be seeking ways to build another up. We need to find ways to instruct them, if they are in the wrong, but with the purpose to build them up, to strengthen them, to assist them in their journey with God. When we point out error, we may endanger they journey, doing more harm than good. We should not preach problems but simply preach the truth. We should not point out problems but point out the truth. This allows the Holy Spirit the opportunity to do what he does best. The truth always builds up. If a person simply hears the truth, and the Spirit is working within that person will see their life in the light of the truth and has the opportunity not to because defensive, but to change, to be build up. When we confront another with their error, it is most likely they will become defensive miss the opportunity for growth. We also see that all this also applies to us when others come to us, when we need instruction, correction and rebuking. So we have the choice, building or tearing.