Nine Easy Ways to Edify.

To edify, speak clearly and consistently.

⁹ Be certain about what you believe and be consistent in what you say. SIRACH 5

²³ Everything is permissible—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible—but not everything is constructive [not everything builds up]. 1 CORINTHIANS 10 

Leave no room for misunderstanding or doubt. Organize your thoughts before you speak. Do not give the devil a foothold. Fools say whatever comes to mind (Sirach 21:26) but the wise think before they speak (Proverbs 16:23).

¹⁹ Know the topic before you speak. ECCLESIASTICUS 18

²⁵ Presumptuous people talk about things that are none of their business. SIRACH 21

¹⁹ My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak. JAMES 1

¹¹ Be quick to listen, and deliberate in giving an answer. ¹² If you understand the matter, give your neighbour an answer, if not, put your hand over your mouth. ECCLESIASTICUS 5

²⁵ Remember that you do not know everything. SIRACH 4

²⁸ Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. PROVERBS 17 nlt

Keep quiet until it’s your turn to speak (Sirach 1:24). Do not interrupt the speaker. Let him speak his mind. Allow him to finish. Show respect and Divine Justice will see to it that you get respect when it’s your turn to speak.

Do not rush in voicing your opinion, advice or criticism until you fully understand what is being said. Most people spend the majority of a conversation either talking or thinking about what they will say next; flip it around.

“The truth is, effective communication is not persuasion; it’s listening. Listen twice as much as you speak,” John Maxwell wrote in Becoming a Person of Influence.

Larry King said, “I never learned anything when I was talking.”

⁸ Don’t interrupt while someone is speaking; hear what he has to say before you answer. SIRACH 11

¹ There is a time for everything. ⁷ …a time to be silent and a time to speak. ECCLESIASTES 3

²⁰ Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. PROVERBS 29

¹² A man of understanding [discernment] holds his tongue. PROVERBS 11

¹⁸ Someone who speaks rashly and recklessly is feared and hated by everyone in town. SIRACH 9

When it’s your turn to speak, voice out wisdom. 

²³ Never hesitate to speak when the occasion calls for it. Don’t hide your wisdom. SIRACH 4

³⁰ Wisdom that is not expressed is like a treasure that has been hidden—both are useless. SIRACH 20

The lips of the righteous know what is fitting (Proverbs 10:32). It nourish many (Proverbs 10:21).

²⁹ Be careful about what you say. SIRACH 1

¹⁰ Love does no harm to its neighbor. ROMANS 13

¹⁸ Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. PROVERBS 12

⁴ The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life. PROVERBS 15

How your message is delivered is just as important as the message itself. So check your voice projection, body language and facial expression; see if they are edifying. State your message with sincerity and conviction.

⁹ Love must be sincere. ROMANS 12

²¹ Flute and harps make fine music but a pleasant voice is better than either. SIRACH 40

¹⁰ Be steady in your convictions, sincere in your speech. ECCLESIASTICUS 5