“So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it” (2 Corinthians 10:8).

If you’ve been in church very long you have probably met those who think Christianity gives us permission to tear people down. Fault-finding, negative criticism and condemnation are far too frequent. Those behaviors don’t come from God. They are products of our old nature that wants to lift ourselves up by putting others down.

The Lord gives us authority for building people up. There’s a word for that—encouragement. I am forever thankful for those God has placed in my life to build me up. My desire is to be that kind of person for those in my life.

Winston Churchill’s wife once told an individual who was about to work with her husband that Churchill’s weaknesses would be immediately apparent. Then she added that in time they would recognize his strengths. This Scripture advises us to take the time to realize the good qualities in those around us and nurture those qualities with the encouragement that builds them up.