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Too many people use words and do things without understanding. There are even religious people who call themselves Christians and they say, “unknown tongue is praying to God, and when you pray in unknown tongue, you will be edified, even if you do not understand it”. They are either ignorant or immature. The Scripture describes them as foolish (Rom.1:21, 22, 28; Eph.5:15-17).
I THE MEANING OF EDIFICATION
A To edify means to build up, strengthen, increase,
develop and grow into spiritual maturity.
B It involves knowing and understanding right and
wrong.
1 Children grow mature by understanding right
and wrong.
a By someone telling them.
b By observation.
c By personal experience.
d By discipline.
2 A relationship of a man and a woman is strengthened
by knowing and understanding one another.
Misunderstanding BREAKS relationship.
3 A troubled man is comforted by understanding
good advice.
4 Making wise decisions is through knowing and
understanding.
II THE MEANS OF SPIRITUAL EDIFICATION -- IS KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING GOD’S COUNSEL.
A God’s desire is that we understand His
counsel.
1 Wisdom, Eph.1:17-18.
2 Sound Mind, 2 Tim.1:7.
3 Love God with all your mind...Mark 12:30,33.
B Wisdom requires understanding of the
Scriptures, 2 Tim3:15; Prov.9:10.
C Ignorance leads men to sin, Psa.95:10;
Matt.22:29; Heb.3:10.
D Knowledge of God brings men to spiritual
maturity, Eph.3:19; 2 Pet.3:18; I Pet.2:2; Phil.3:8-10.
III THE MISCONCEPTION OF EDIFICATION
A "Understanding is not necessary as long as one is
motivated by a good feeling."
1 Many people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Hosea 4:6.
a A drug addict may enjoy a good feeling
but is going down to destruction.
b Many teenagers are victimized by
feelings.
2 Satan influences people through their emotions.
a Rock and Disco music.
b Sex and bad habits
c False cults—false hope.
3 Lack of understanding leads to heresy and
unbelief (Heb.3:10-11, 18-19).
a Those who worship idols do not understand
God’s words (Rom.1:21-23).
b Many religious people do not find
the truth because they do not seek it, but are just doing what
they feel is right
(Rom.10:2-3).
4 A person may be very sincere and he thinks
he is right but he can very wrong (Prov.14:12)
a The heart is deceitful, Jer.17:9-10.
b God is trustworthy not our feelings,
I Jn.3: 20.
c God will judge men according
to the standard of His word, not our feelings
(Jn.12:47-48; Matt.7:21-23).
d Many sincere and religious people
are thinking that they are worthy of heaven,
but God will reject
them, Matt.7:21-23.
IV THE EFFECTS OF TRUE EDIFICATION – It leads to stability and maturity in Christ.
A Many feel they are so strong, immovable, firm,
stable in their Christian life because of:
1 Joyful feelings—but when it is gone,
they’re gone too.
2 A great company – but when that great
company is gone, they cannot stand alone.
They are so helpless. Unlike
Noah, who despite a great crowd of opposition, he is firm in the faith.
3 A great fellowship – but when Satan troubles
it, they are easily shaken.
4 Problems are gone – but when its back,
they go backslide.
5 A happy relationship – but when it is
lost, they’ll easily get lost too.
B The test of a Christian’s strength and stability
is adversity, Prov.24:10.
1 You’ll know who a man really is by the way he
reacts to unfavorable circumstances.
2 The strength of a mature Christian is not dependent
to circumstances (Psalm 1:1-3).
C The secret of a Christian’s stability and
strength is knowledge and understanding of God’s word
(Prov.24:3-5; Eph.4:15).
V Conclusion:
A Christian maturity and stability is gained by a thorough
understanding of the faith and doctrine.
B The purpose of edification is to bring a person
to spiritual maturity and stability.
C You might think that doing things without your understanding
brings edification – YOU’RE WRONG!!!
D Man’s heart is deceitful. Feelings are unreliable.
E Satan is deceiving millions through emotions – Don’t
be a victim.
F God’s greatest command is to love Him with your
understanding (Mark 12:30,33).