The Edification Complex of the Soul

The edification complex of the soul is a term for the attainment of spiritual maturity based on the persistent accumulation and application of epignosis Bible doctrine in the right lobe of the soul. Actually, the construction material for the edification complex of the soul is epignosis Bible doctrine. Eph. 4:24.

“and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:24, NASB)

The Greek word for “edification” is oἰκοδομή (oikodomē) and in the overall sense means construction, building up or the building process. It is a noun built on compounds and has a dual connotation. For each Church Age believer, oikodomē means to edify, to build or erect a structure and refers to the spiritual growth of the positive believer in the Christian way of life that glorifies God. The following three nouns are used for edification. Rom. 14:19; 2 Cor. 10:8; 2 Cor. 13:10; 1 Cor. 14:5; 1 Cor. 14:12; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:12; Eph. 4:16; Eph. 4:29.

“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” (Romans 14:19, NASB)

“For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,” (2 Corinthians 10:8, NASB)

Overall, edification refers to the building up of the Body of Christ during the Church Age. When the body of Christ is completed, the Rapture of the Church will occur. Οἰκοδομή (oikodomē) is the act of building or erecting a structure. The process of construction. Eph. 4:12; Eph. 4:16; Eph. 4:29.

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:12, NASB)

“from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16, NASB)

“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, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29, NASB)

Οἰκονομία (oikonomia) is the result of construction, the completed structure, hence a complete edification complex of the soul. In 1 Timothy 1:4, the term “administration” is used in the sense of stewardship of the resulting structure that God has built in our souls - the edification complex of epignosis Bible doctrine.

“nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.” (1 Timothy 1:4, NASB)

Oἰκοδόμος (oikodomos) is the builder or contractor, which is Bible doctrine communicated to the believer’s human spirit while being filled with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit’s transfer of that spiritually understood information to the left lobe of the soul as gnosis or understood spiritual knowledge. If the believer expresses positive volition (believes it and accepts it) toward that gnosis Bible doctrine, the Holy Spirit then transfers and converts the gnosis Bible doctrine into epignosis Bible doctrine in the right lobe of the soul. Here, that doctrine is ready for application to the spiritual life. This process is repeated many, many times, thus constructing an accumulation of the very thinking of Jesus Christ – divine wisdom. This is the grace apparatus for perception. Acts 4:11. See category on The Grace Apparatus for Perception.

““He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.” (Acts 4:11, NASB)

The Structure of the Edification Complex

The “structure” which God the Holy Spirit builds within the right lobe of the believer’s soul is illustrated with five “floors” or major components and is built using epignosis Bible doctrine. Epignosis doctrine means residing doctrine, usable doctrine, Bible teaching which has had faith applied to it and then transferred to the right lobe of the soul or the heart. It is the result of the repeated use the grace apparatus for perception.

The Foundation

The edification complex foundation is the filling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer’s spiritual life. This is the same power that enables the believer to understand Bible doctrine taught and to convert that believed doctrine to epignosis in the right lobe of the soul. The filling or controlling ministry of the Holy Spirit is needed every time you get out of fellowship. The believer is promised by God the Father in 1 John 1:9, that every time the believer names or cites their known sins to Him, He forgives the known sins and also the unknown or forgotten sins and restores the believer’s soul to fellowship with Him. The believer is now filled with the Holy Spirit and can learn and apply Bible doctrine to life’s situations. Eph. 5:18.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, NASB)

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians 5:18, NASB)

The edification complex can only be built using the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power that generates the building material in the soul – epignosis Bible doctrine.

All Church Age believers are given divine grace resources as members of the royal family of God to fulfill the plan of God for our lives. These resources are provided by God the Father. God the Son continues to uphold and preserve the universe by the word of His power. Jesus Christ also guarantees the protection of the positive believer for the fulfillment of His will. The omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit provides the divine empowerment for every believer to live and grow in the spiritual life designed for each of us exactly as it was first used by the humanity of Jesus Christ while on earth.

The First Floor

The first floor of the edification complex is doctrinal orientation whereby the believer gains “sound judgment” or objective thinking based on the absolutes of the Word of God. This thinking replaces or renovates the subjective thinking of human viewpoint to become divine viewpoint or grace thinking based on Bible doctrine in the soul. The believer becomes more oriented to God's grace resources that have been provided and are revealed through sound Bible doctrine. The believer then gains a new spiritual perspective that reveals God's plan for their life. The believer oriented to the grace of God regards every day as a gift from God. Rom. 12:3; Rom. 14:5-6.

“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3, NASB)

"One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God." (Romans 14:5-6, NASB)

The Second Floor

The second floor of the edification complex is a genuine humility which includes teachability. This is authority orientation to the Word of God and also to those who God has placed in positions of authority over you. This humility includes orientation to the rule of law, the laws of divine establishment and an understanding of the authority included in the Divine Institutions that are a part of the laws of divine establishment. 2 Cor. 13:10.

In 1 Peter 5:5, the Greek word for “humility” is ταπεινοφροσύνη (tapeinophrosunē) and means a mental attitude thought pattern of grace. Grace thinking recognizes that we, at no time, earn or deserve any blessing from God.

"You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." (1 Peter 5:5, NASB)

Humility understands that everything depends on who and what God is and all that He has done. Humility-grace thinking causes the believer to have no illusion about themselves. Thus, the believer has an edification complex in their soul instead of an inferiority complex or superiority complex. They have a relaxed mental attitude.

Mental attitude humility produces a relaxed mental attitude toward believers that have authority over you. This mental attitude grace enables the spiritual believer to submit to the teaching authority of another believer, the pastor-teacher, in order to learn Bible doctrine. Only true humility through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit allows learning of Bible doctrine. This process causes the believer to become spiritual self-sustaining.

The Third Floor

The third floor of the edification complex is the development of a personal love for God the Father. This personal love is developed through spiritual growth whereby the believer begins to better understand who God really is, His perfect grace plan, and all that God has done, what He is continually doing to uphold the believer, and what God has planned for our eternal future. This is a love for God because of who and what He is.

The Fourth Floor

The fourth floor of the edification complex is impersonal or unconditional love for others. This includes a relaxed mental attitude toward others even under difficult circumstances. This is a mental attitude of patience, forgiveness, graciousness, compassion, and kindness toward others no matter what they have said or done even if that includes opposition and hostility toward you.

This is the unconditional love for others that depends on the Bible doctrine in your soul, not the attractiveness of the object of that love. This is the mental attitude that Jesus Christ demonstrated toward everyone every day, even to those who were torturing Him and crucifying Him. This is a very powerful love that reflects the believer’s level of spiritual maturity and is the very thinking of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 2:16.

“For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16, NASB)

The Fifth Floor

The fifth floor of the edification complex is an inner happiness or sharing the perfect happiness of God the Father. This is a happiness that masters the details of life without depending on any person or anything else but the grace of God. Prov. 3:13.

“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13, NASB)

Happiness, in its fullest meaning, is the utmost pleasure we are capable of enjoying in any given situation. Because we are referring to inner happiness, it can be a situation of prosperity or suffering. Remember, receiving and retaining inner happiness is something being possessed within our souls, and is not conditioned by any overt situation or circumstance.

Inner happiness, or God's happiness, is still a potential to the Christian and depends upon their spiritual growth through the daily intake and obedience to Bible truth. The first taste of inner happiness comes from the filling of the Spirit according to Galatians 5:22, Romans 14:17, and 1 Thessalonians 1:6. Happiness is the extension of a relaxed mental attitude. Such happiness is a mental attitude of joy.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness," (Galatians 5:22, NASB)

"for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, NASB)

"You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit," (1 Thessalonians 1:6, NASB)

The experience of inner happiness is limited by the capacity developed from learning and applying Bible truth from positive volition. If you have epignosis Bible doctrine in the right lobe of your soul, you have capacity for great happiness. As a new believer, you lack this capacity and only have the filling of the Spirit without any Bible teaching in your soul as yet. In order to have great inner happiness on a daily basis regardless of any circumstance in life, we must possess maximum Bible doctrine in our soul. This provides the spiritual dynamic to remain Spirit-filled a maximum amount of the time on a daily basis. The believer carries happiness with them. Whether circumstances are pleasant or unpleasant, they are the same.

Once you have achieved spiritual maturity through the maximum intake and application of God's Word, the Lord then shares His own happiness with you on a maximum basis as seen in John 17:13, John 17:17, and 1 John 1:4.

" "But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. " (John 17:13, NASB)

" "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. " (John 17:17, NASB)

"These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete." (1 John 1:4, NASB)

Synonyms For the Edification Complex

There are many synonyms for the edification complex of the soul. “Building up” in Ephesians 4:12 and Ephesians 4:16 and “edification” in Ephesians 4:29. The Greek word here is οἰκοδομή (oikodomē) and means the act of building or erecting a structure or the process of construction. In this case, it applies to a structure in the soul.

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:12, NASB)

“Light” in Psalm 119:130, Ephesians 5:8-9, Ephesians 5:13, Psalms 43:3, and 1 John 2:8-11.

“The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalms 119:130, NASB)

“for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),” (Ephesians 5:8-9, NASB)

“But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.” (Ephesians 5:13, NASB)

“O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places.” (Psalms 43:3, NASB)

“On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:8-11, NASB)

“Christ is formed in you” in Galatians 4:19.

“My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—” (Galatians 4:19, NASB)

“The image and glory of God” in 1 Corinthians 11:7.

“For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.” (1 Corinthians 11:7, NASB)

The “glory to the Lord your God” in Jeremiah 13:16.

“Give glory to the LORD your God, Before He brings darkness And before your feet stumble On the dusky mountains, And while you are hoping for light He makes it into deep darkness, And turns it into gloom.” (Jeremiah 13:16, NASB)

“The fullness of God” in Ephesians 3:19.

“and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19, NASB)

“Be imitators of God” in Ephesians 5:1.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;” (Ephesians 5:1, NASB)

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts” in Ephesians 3:17.

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” (Ephesians 3:17, NASB)

The “new self” in Ephesians 4:24.

“and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:24, NASB)

“Obedience to the truth” in 1 Peter 1:22.

“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,” (1 Peter 1:22, NASB)

“Perfect and complete” in James 1:4.

“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:4, NASB)

The Biblical Usage of Edification

The concept of erecting or building an edification complex or structure of the soul can be found in Ephesians 4:12, Ephesians 4:6, and Ephesians 4:29.

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:12, NASB)

The condition of a local church where the believers possess edification complexes in their soul results from the communication of Bible doctrine by the pastor-teacher for the edification of the congregation. Eph. 4:11-12; Acts 9:31.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:11-12, NASB)

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” (Acts 9:31, NASB)

The prosperity of a local church is not determined by its size, its membership, its giving, how many were baptized at a certain time, or any other public relations approach. The prosperity of a church is determined by the number of edification complexes in that congregation. No church should ever be evaluated in terms of being friendly or unfriendly. The church isn’t a lonely hearts club. The purpose of a local church is not to be able to get acquainted with nice people or with people who can help you in business. The objective is to come to hear the Word of God and receive it or reject it in privacy.

There is a contrast between edification and the use of the temporary spiritual gift of tongues. The objective of the Christian life is the erection of an edification complex in the soul, not speaking in tongues. The function of tongues was to give the Gospel to unbelievers in their own language by someone with the gift who had never learned that language. It was a supernatural gift and got a lot of attention when used properly. It was also a warning of the coming fifth cycle of discipline to Israel which occurred forty years later in 70 AD. The use of tongues has not been bona fide since. 1 Cor. 14:3-4; 1 Cor. 14:12; 1 Cor. 14:26.

“But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:3-4, NASB)

“So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12, NASB)

“What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (1 Corinthians 14:26, NASB)

Human knowledge puffs up, but Bible doctrine edifies when taken into the soul through the filling of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:26 has been terribly misused and abused. You’ve likely heard people say, don’t learn too much doctrine, you’ll get fat-headed. This refers to gnosis in any field of knowledge, including scriptural knowledge, which puffs up. 1 Cor 8:1.

“Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” (1 Corinthians 8:1, NASB)

Communication gifts are designed for the edification of the believer. 2 Cor. 10:8; 2 Cor. 13:10; Eph. 4:12.

“For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,” (2 Corinthians 10:8, NASB)

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:12, NASB)

The filling of the Holy Spirit is necessary for the function of the grace apparatus for perception. John 14:26; John 16:12-14; 1 Cor. 2:9-16; Eph. 5:18; 1 John 2:27.

“"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26, NASB)

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:18, NASB)

“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” (1 John 2:27, NASB)

The right lobe of the soul is the target for the grace apparatus for perception and is where the edification complex is constructed. 1 Cor. 2:12-13; Rom. 8:16, Job 32:8.

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13, NASB)

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,” (Romans 8:16, NASB)

“"But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.” (Job 32:8, NASB)

Only epignosis Bible doctrine in the right lobe of the soul can be used for the construction of the edification complex. Eph. 4:23-24; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 2:27; Col. 1:9-10.

“and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:23-24, NASB)

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (1 John 2:3, NASB)

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:9-10, NASB)

The rapid construction of the edification complex is accomplished through the daily intake of doctrine and faith-patience under pressure. Pressure causes a person to realize that doctrine is the answer. James 1:3-4.

“knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3-4, NASB)

The humanity of Christ possessed an edification complex. By the time he was 12 years old, He was building it very rapidly. Luke 2:40; Luke 2:52; John 1:14.

“The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Luke 2:40, NASB)

“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52, NASB)

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, NASB)

Prerequisites of Edification

The filling of the Spirit is the only empowerment for the intake of Bible doctrine. John 14:26; John 16:12-14; 1 Cor. 2:9-16.

““But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26, NASB)

““I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.” (John 16:12-14, NASB)

Confession of sin biblically is the only means of regaining the filling of the Spirit. Prov. 1:23; 1 Cor. 11:31-32; 1 John 1:9.

““Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.” (Proverbs 1:23, NASB)

“But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:31-32, NASB)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NASB)

Spiritual knowledge (gnosis) is transferred by the Holy Spirit to the left lobe of the soul from the human spirit through the daily communication of Bible doctrine. Eph. 4:20-24; 1 John 2:3.

“But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:20-24, NASB)

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (1 John 2:3, NASB)

Through faith belief in the Bible doctrine taught and understood, the Holy Spirit transfers the gnosis from the left lobe of the soul to the right lobe of the soul where it becomes epignosis or believed Bible doctrine. This epignosis or residual doctrine is the only form of spiritual truth that is applicable to the spiritual life and forms the basis of the edification complex or structure. Eph. 3:13-21; Col. 1:9-14; Col. 2:7; Col. 3:10.

“having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:7, NASB)

“and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—” (Colossians 3:10, NASB)

Results of the Edification Complex

The Word of Truth is applied, divine good is produced. Epignosis is applied to life’s situations from the right lobe of the soul. This is the salt and light principle. Eph. 4:23-24; Matt. 5:13-16.

“and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:23-24, NASB)

““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16, NASB)

The glory of God is reflected. Any reference to “light” or “lights” on the part of believers is applicable here. 1 John 1:7; Phil. 2:15.

“but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, NASB)

“so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,” (Philippians 2:15, NASB)

The stability of the believer is apparent. Col. 2:7.

“having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:7, NASB)

Stockpiling epignosis in the right lobe of the soul results in a growing spiritual IQ. Eph. 3:19.

“and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19, NASB)

The Christian fulfills the purpose for which they are on earth. The whole issue in the Christian life is edification or tearing down. Tearing down does not mean loss of salvation in this passage, but no erection of an edification complex. Instead pseudo-building materials are tried that are useless and cannot ever build an edification complex. 1 Corinthians 3 indicates that the building must have the proper spiritual materials. 2 Cor. 13:10-11.

“For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:10-11, NASB)

Divine viewpoint replaces the human viewpoint. Eph. 4:25.

“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25, NASB)

Discernment minus mental attitude sins. Eph. 4:26.

“BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” (Ephesians 4:26, NASB)

No room for Satan’s doctrine in the soul. Eph. 4:27.

“and do not give the devil an opportunity.” (Ephesians 4:27, NASB)

The production of divine good in business. Eph. 4:28.

“He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.” (Ephesians 4:28, NASB)

The avoidance of the sins of the tongue. A sign of the maturity of your edification complex is if you are sinning in this area. If many sins of the tongue, you are a babe or adolescent, not a mature believer. Eph. 4:29.

The avoidance of the grieving of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 4:31.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31, NASB)

The function of grace. Eph. 4:32.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32, NASB)

Spiritual motivation from edification. Edification is the motivation for unconditional love toward others which provides the tolerance toward other believers thus allowing them to grow spiritually. Rom. 15:2; 1 Cor. 8:1; 1 Cor. 10:23.

“Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” (Romans 15:2, NASB)

“Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” (1 Corinthians 8:1, NASB)

“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” (1 Corinthians 10:23, NASB)

Grace blessings during the believer’s life. A local church’s prosperity is directly related to the number of maturing believers in that church. A nation’s prosperity is also directly related to the number of maturing believers in that nation. Acts 9:31.

Eternal grace blessings for the believer will be received at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Adverse circumstances demonstrate the believer’s ability to cope with rapidly changing circumstances. The edification complex causes the believer to stand up under circumstances that change to adversity. 2 Cor. 6:4-9.

“but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,” (2 Corinthians 6:4-9, NASB)

Therefore, the believer with the edification complex is stabilized. Stability from the edification complex causes immediate adjustment to rapidly changing circumstances. Adaptability is the utilization of the epignosis Bible doctrine in the edification complex to sudden changes of circumstances. Adaptability manifested by the believer brings glory to God. Adaptability is perpetuation of stability into extremes of suffering.

If the believer is without an edification complex, rapidly changing circumstances cause the believer to become disoriented to the grace of God. A believer’s happiness does not depend on what people think of them. The edification complex manifests the glory of God under suffering or rapidly changing circumstances.

Importance of the Local Church in Edification

In 1 Corinthians 14:12, “So also you” is a Greek idiom that should be translated, “this applies to you.” The Corinthians were eager to get the gift of tongues because it was spectacular and signaled to others that they were spiritual. In reality, the worst believers in the Bible are described as having the gift of tongues. “Seek to abound” means you should emphasize spiritual gifts that edify the Church. The primary spiritual gift in this category is the gift of pastor-teacher. The pre-Canon temporary spiritual gifts did not edify the Church.

“So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12, NASB)

1 Corinthians 14:26 emphasizes that all be done in the local church for edification. There are a number of ways in which we worship God, but they must all relate to our spiritual growth. Everything in assembly worship should be done with a view toward the objective, which is edification. The objective is to communicate doctrine, the purpose of which is to produce edification.

Edification is the key to the operation of the local church. Edification, or the advance to spiritual maturity, is the objective of the Christian way of life. In the context of 1 Corinthians 14, the gift of tongues did not fulfill that purpose.

1 Corinthians 14:40 concludes that the gift of tongues did not do all things properly and in an orderly manner in the Corinthian church. The gift of tongues only existed for the first 40 years of the Church Age. Then it was discontinued when the fifth cycle of discipline was administered to Israel by the Romans in August of 70 A.D. While it did exist, the gift of tongues illustrated how not to do things decently and in order. For tongues did not contribute to the principle of edification, nor did it contribute to doing things properly and in an orderly manner.

“But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.” (1 Corinthians 14:40, NASB)

Pseudo-edification Complexes

The foundation for the pseudo-edification complex is the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. The building is the pride of life. 1 John 2:16.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16, NASB)

Another type of structure is the subjectivity complex. This complex is built on emotionalism, human ability, and human guilt. Thus, the foundation is self-love. The characteristics of the subjectivity complex are found in 2 Timothy 3:1-4. 2 Tim. 3:1-7.

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7, NASB)

“Lovers of self” - selfish, too intent on one’s interest, self-gratification.

“Lovers of money” - covetousness, avarice.

“Boastful” - an empty pretender, self-promotion, stuck on self, and bragging.

“Arrogant” - showing oneself above others, proud.

“Revilers” - speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive, maligning.

“Disobedient to parents” - rejection of authority.

“Ungrateful” – ungracious, unpleasing, unthankful.

“Unholy” - impious, wicked.

“Unloving” - without natural affection, unsociable, inhuman, no capacity to love.

“Irreconcilable” - cannot be persuaded to enter into a covenant, implacable.

“Malicious gossips” - prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely.

“Without self-control” - no self-discipline, intemperate.

“Brutal” - not tame, savage, fierce, violent.

“Haters of good” - opposed to goodness and good men, hostile to virtue.

“Treacherous” – no loyalty, betrayer, traitor, knife in the back type.

“Reckless” – to be rash, poor manners, thoughtless.

“Conceited” – to make proud, puff up with pride or haughtiness, render insolent, to blind with pride or conceit.

“Lovers of pleasure” – frantic search for fun, hedonism.

A believer with a subjectivity complex has maximum self-induced misery. They are never a good testimony. They need to use confession of sin, start a daily intake of the Word, believe the Word by faith, apply the Bible doctrine to life’s situations and decisions thereby replacing the scar tissue with an edification complex of the soul.

Life’s Priorities

Priority number one for edification must be perception, belief, and application of the mystery doctrine for the Church Age. This demands concentration under the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the spiritual life via listening to, believing, and applying Bible doctrine taught by your pastor-teacher using the grace apparatus for perception. This results in spiritual growth that changes your thinking from human viewpoint to divine viewpoint.

As you give Bible doctrine number one priority in your life, you organize your life around priority Bible doctrine. Therefore, you have an organized life which means you always give proper time to the perception, belief, and application of doctrine. As you learn doctrine, your thinking inevitably begins to change resulting in a progressive “renewing of your mind.” Rom. 12:2.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NASB)

Therefore, you begin to organize your thinking around priority Bible doctrine. The more doctrine you learn, the more you organize your thinking around doctrine. This maturing in the spiritual life means you more often use application of the Bible doctrine in your soul to deal with problems in life. As these doctrinal principles and capabilities are developed in your right lobe, you concentrate on executing the plan of God for your life through the doctrine you have learned. That is how you construct the edification complex of the soul.