As Christians, we have the joy of interacting with other believers in the household of God. Whether we are at a fellowship gathering, going witnessing, or working together, we can greatly impact our fellow believers by taking the initiative to speak God’s Word to them in love. We can take full advantage of the many opportunities we have by considering truths that will specifically encourage and edify our fellow believers.
Our words have great power and impact—the power to strengthen and build up God’s people in the household. In Colossians, chapter 3, God highlights the privilege we each have to share His Word with one another.
Colossians 3:16:
Let the word of [pertaining to] Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Speaking words of truth to one another can greatly affect our fellow believers. So, how do we choose which scriptures to share in our conversations with one another in the household of God? We can choose what to speak to our brothers and sisters in Christ by considering truths that will specifically encourage them and edify them.
While it may be exciting to discuss a wide range of topics from the vast Word of God, we want to consider what truths in God’s Word directly apply to a fellow believer’s present needs.
Proverbs 25:11:
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Sharing a fitly spoken word with one another in the household encourages and strengthens each other’s believing so that we can be our best for God. God’s Word has fitting, encouraging truths that pertain to all of life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). For example, if we see a fellow believer before a fellowship who just had a busy day at work, we can share God’s Word from the previous week’s teaching to help build anticipation for that fellowship’s teaching. If we are going witnessing, we can speak God’s Word to our fellow believers regarding the great joy and privilege we have to be ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20). We might also share how God is faithful to provide open doors of utterance (Colossians 4:3). If we are doing a work project with fellow believers, we can share the Word regarding the joy of laboring together with God (I Corinthians 3:9) and how Biblical solutions are always available for every challenge we face. Whatever we may be doing with a fellow believer, we can put forth the effort to consider what truths from God’s Word will encourage them the most whenever we interact.
Another aspect of getting God’s Word into our conversations with other believers in the household of God is that we seek to edify them, to build them up. And as we learn in Ephesians, chapter 4, we don’t just speak the truth—we speak the 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:
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.
This love is not selfish, or self-seeking, but rather it actively seeks the welfare of others. Therefore, as we endeavor to get God’s Word into our conversations with fellow believers, we seek to edify them personally.
Romans 14:19:
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 15:2:
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
We take the time and put forth the effort to be ready to bless the lives of our fellow believers. We listen to our fellow believers, and then we seek to edify them by speaking truths that will build them up. For example, if we notice that a believer we serve with has invested much effort into a task, we can share how we see the Word living in them as they work heartily (Colossians 3:23). Never underestimate the edifying impact we can make by choosing to speak God’s Word with a heart of love to a fellow believer.
So, the next time you are in a conversation with a fellow believer, choose to speak God’s Word to them with a heart of love, for there is nothing greater you can talk about! Considering the truths that will encourage others in the household of God and seeking to edify them personally as we speak the truth in love is our joy!