A person approved by God carries several responsibilities in building up God’s people. First, a worker must differentiate between godless chatter and godly teaching. Without constant reminders of the gospel, God’s people can drift into meaningless quarrels about false teachings. False teachings lead to ungodliness. As gangrene destroys physical bodies, so godless teaching is spiritual gangrene that destroys the spiritual body of believers. A worker approved by God must combat this by constantly reminding God’s people of the gospel.

Teaching the true gospel is not only defensive against false doctrines but also has a purifying effect on believers. Believers cleansed by God’s word can be useful to God and do God’s work.

Second, a worker approved by God must pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. God’s worker must not engage in foolish arguments or be quarrelsome. Rather, God’s worker must gently instruct others, with the hope that God will grant repentance that will lead to accepting the truth.

How do you use your words? Share the gospel. Speak truth. Lead others to faith in Jesus.
Application: Father, please forgive me for misusing my words. Help me to handle your word correctly and teach it to others.
One Word: Remind God’s people of these things