For those of you who may not have got in on the beginning of this current study we are drawing
from God's Holy word;  weightier matters that will help the child of the Almighty who wants to do
better, to DO BETTER in his service to God. 
    In the first three lessons we covered some vital principles that we must consider if we truly 
desire to please and glorify our Savior, live the faithful life, go to that eternal reward; --- And
help others to do the same:  We covered the principles of;
A. EXPEDIENCY  --- Will what I choose to do or say, help me on my way?  (Is it profitable for my
                                 soul's salvation?)
B. ENSLAVEMENT  ---  Will I allow this thing to have POWER OVER ME?

C.  EXAMPLE  ---  Even though this is something I can do in good conscience, (It don't hurt ME)
                               Could it per chance hurt some one else?

    __________________________________________________________________

    Now again I would like to bring your kind attention to Paul's letter to the Corinthians;
I Cor. 10:23 --- Paul writes;  "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable,--- (We've
covered that, but he then says); ---  All things are lawful, but not all things edify."

    So now we have another of God's guiding principles, the principle of; EDIFICATION.
What does it mean to edify?

    This word comes from the Greek word (oikodomeo), pronounced, ( oy-kod-om-eh'-o) meaning;
To be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (fig.) confirm, build, build-up, edify or embolden.  (Strong's
concordance- item:3618)     We hear the word "edifice" simply means, a building.

    You see, by your life, you are either building up or tearing down!
Everything I do as a Christian should reflect a positive influence, --- Or else it will be a negative
influence!  (And we don't want that)

    If what I've got to say is not a POSITIVE word that ENCOURAGES; --- It will be a NEGATIVE
word that DISCOURAGES!!   Every conversation, every joke, every T.V. program ---EVERYTHING
should pass this litmus test: --- Does this EDIFY  me? --- Am I a better person? --- Am I a stronger
Christian for having done this deed or spoke that word??
    For those of us who "do E-MAIL": ---We've all (I suppose) have received some "joke" or "story"
which might contain "off-color", out right "vulgar", or "suggestive" material. (And I'm talking
about questionable material that comes from the Lord's PEOPLE) Do you have a chuckle, shrug your 
shoulders and "Forward" it on to others?  Or do you automatically hit the "delete"button as soon
as you recognize; --- "Hey, this stuff is "junk", it doesn't build me up ??  Some Christians need to 
learn how to "CUT", "COPY" and "PASTE"! 

    Now let me make it clear; --- There's nothing wrong with entertainment or recreation! 
There's lots of old "sour-pusses" out there in the religious world who would think that anytime
God sees His people having fun, --- He should move right in and break it up! They think of God as 
some kind of "cosmic kill-joy".
    But my friend, God is not like that at all.  And He wants you and I to have plain ole fun, to enjoy
life.  This is what Paul eludes to in his instructions to Timothy;---
    "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the
uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."  I Tim. 6:17

   But you want to ask yourself this one question; --- "Does this entertainment or this recreation I
want to take part in, --- Does it EDIFY ??

    Don't you realize that, after you've had your fun, your recreation that you ought to feel 
refreshed and relaxed?  It ought to make you feel like; --- "Boy! I feel like going back to work!"
Or,  Boy! I'm so happy, where's my Bible, let me at it?

    But if this "entertainment" has just left you with a sort of "blah" feeling, or a "bad taste" in
your mouth; --- and you've just watched some ole story and you say; "YUK"!  Man, I feel depressed
after watching that!  (And the truth be told, we've all had this experience)
IT JUST DIDN'T EDIFY!!

    A Christian is to be a person who edifies himself and one who edifies others.   I've known some
in the Lord's church who are edifiers, but then on the other hand (unfortunately), some who are
wreckers.   You can tell the edifiers, --- Their the ones who when your around them, it's like a
breath of fresh air.  The wreckers? --- They are the ones who remind me of that little guy who
always walks around with the "dark cloud" hovering over their head.
    They are just "gloom-spreaders", "fault-finders" who haven't learned how to edify themselves,
much less others!

    I need to be the sort of Christian who, when somebody else has been with me and leaves;--- 
They love the Lord, Jesus Christ just a little more!!
    I want to do the kind of things that will make me a stronger person!  A better Christian!!

    You may come on like a "Philadelphia lawyer" and back me in the corner and say; --- 
"There's nothing wrong with this; or There's nothing wrong with that!!"  etc., etc.
I just want to know something; --Does it make you a better person?  Are you stronger in the Lord?
If so; --- Have at it!!

    "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but ONLY such a word as is good for
EDIFICATION according to the need of the moment, (Why?)  that it may give grace to those who 
hear."   Eph. 4:29
                                                                                      For Your EDIFICATION;
                                                                                                Earl Wilburn