Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
This relates to the way in which we speak to one another and the way that we speak about one another.
We live in a culture that thrives on putting others down. Social media has given a platform for anger. We live in the world of the attack ad and the attack website.
God says, “Let it be different among you!” Christ calls us to be a community of people who lift each other up in a culture where people pull each other down. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph. 4:29).
When we lift up who we are—male or female, black or white, rich or poor, people are pulled apart and what you have is an endless battle of which group will prevail over the others. The church is called to something different. Our calling is to lift up who Jesus is! When that happens, people who may have little in common in this world are brought together.
As the world gets darker, here is what Jesus calls us to: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
In a world of growing anger and hatred, God overcomes evil with good by planting communities of people who genuinely love one another, and at the center of these communities is Jesus Christ.
Where do you need to do more building up and less tearing down?
