The word “edify” means to build up, to strengthen, to encourage, and to motivate. It is a simple word, yet it carries tremendous power. To edify someone is to leave them better than you found them. It is to speak life where discouragement once lived, to plant hope where doubt had taken root, and to remind someone that they matter, that they are seen, and that they are capable of more than they sometimes believe.
Right now, there are people in your life who desperately need to be edified. They may not say it out loud. They may still smile, still show up, still carry their responsibilities. But beneath the surface, many are weary. Many are fighting silent battles. Many are wondering if anyone truly believes in them. Often, all it takes is a kind word, spoken at the right time, to change the direction of someone’s day or even their life.
Our elders understood this deeply. They may not have used fancy language or psychological terms, but they lived by wisdom that stood the test of time. My deceased father used to say, “Keep your words soft and sweet … just in case you have to eat them.” That simple saying carries profound truth. Words cannot be taken back once spoken. They linger. They echo. They settle into the heart. That is why our elders were careful with their speech. They knew that words could heal, but they also knew words could wound.
Another old saying reminds us, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.”
Tone matters. Intent matters. Love matters. You can speak truth without being harsh. You can correct without crushing. You can disagree without disrespecting. When our words are wrapped in kindness, they become easier to receive and more likely to produce growth.
Think about the seeds you are planting with your words. What are you sowing into your children? Into your spouse? Into your friends and colleagues? Are your words seeds of faith or seeds of fear? Seeds of confidence or seeds of doubt? Seeds of peace or seeds of unrest? Every conversation is an opportunity to plant something that will grow over time.
Do you believe in anyone? Have you told them? Have you paused long enough to say, “I’m proud of you,” or “I see how hard you’re trying,” or “You have what it takes”? You may think they already know, but don’t assume. Speak it. Say it out loud. Affirmation has a way of strengthening the soul.
An edifier takes an interest in others. They listen. They ask questions. They want to know what stirs someone’s heart, what dreams keep them awake at night, what God has placed within them. They don’t rush past people; they walk alongside them. They say, “I’m behind you,” and they mean it, not just in words, but in action.
You may not realise the power you hold when you tell someone, “I believe in you.” Those four words can steady a trembling heart. Add, “You have what it takes,” and suddenly confidence rises. Say, “I’m behind you 100 per cent,” and courage finds its footing. Many people go through life never hearing those words. You may be the only voice reminding them of their worth.
Kind words also bring health—emotional, spiritual, and even physical. When we live with bitterness, harshness, and constant conflict, it wears us down. But when we choose kindness, peace, and gentle speech, our lives begin to feel lighter. Our homes feel calmer. Our relationships feel safer. There is healing in peaceful living.
The old folks taught us to mind our mouths, not because they wanted to silence us, but because they understood the value of harmony. They believed in respect, in measured speech, in choosing peace over pride. They knew that kindness was not weakness; it was strength under control.
Today, make a conscious decision to be an edifier. Let your words be soft, sweet, and seasoned with grace. Encourage someone who feels overlooked. Speak a blessing over someone who feels uncertain. Take time to listen, truly listen to the dreams and hopes of another. Let them know you are in their corner.
You may never fully know the impact of your kindness. You may never see how far your words travel. But trust this: kind words never return empty. They always accomplish something good.
So be kind with your words today. Touch someone’s life with peaceful speech. Build instead of break. Heal instead of hurt. Encourage instead of criticise. As our elders taught us, as the word of God taught us, a gentle tongue can turn away strife, and a kind word can light up even the darkest day.
In doing so, you may find that your own life becomes healthier, happier, and more filled with joy, because when you edify others, you are built up too, and the joy increases.
