So What Are E.E.C. Words?
“God has strewn our paths with wonders and we should certainly not go through life with our eyes shut” Alexander Graham Bell
To me, one of the greatest wonders are people! So what are we doing to build up and not tear down? Did you know that modern day New Testament prophecy is based on E.E.C. Words? E.E.C. stands for edification, exhortation, and comfort, but what does this actually mean in non-Christianese terms? I invite you to read on.
Pursue love, and desire spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
1 Corinthians 14:1-4
Prophecy is the Best Gift of All
As Paul details in this scripture, above all else, we should desire the spiritual gifts, but especially to prophesy. Why? Because whether we are speaking in our own heavenly prayer language or giving a word in tongues in an assembly, it builds up both us and the Body. However, to speak in your native language to give a prophetic word that others can understand, Paul says, is the “best” gift of all. And this is especially true when that word comes directly from the love and heart of God to show them what He thinks about them personally, their circumstance, and their future. Prophecy will always confirm what is already inside of them!
Make Sure You Stay Relevant
So, what do these three words mean in our English language and for this time and day? Jesus was always relevant to the people, as well as to the time and surroundings He found Himself in; so we need to be the same. Whether we are in a different church environment or out on the streets around non-churched people, we need to make sure we make sense and not speak words that are confusing,“churchyfied” or Christianese!
- Edification
To build up, raise up, stir up, improve and uplift of a person
- Exhortation
To strongly encourage, urging someone on to do something
- Comfort
To be summoned to the side of another to help; to ease or alleviate a person’s feelings of grief or distress, and to help someone with inspiration and motivation in a time of need
Your Words Should Not Be Judgmental or Critical
As you can see, modern day prophecy is primarily about the building up and encouragement of others. How to see them through God’s eyes and not out of our own, which can sometimes be misguided by things we may know or see. Prophecy should never be given to point out their faults, their mistakes in life, or how they are currently living. Do you think they don’t already know how they are living is falling short? It’s also not about judging or criticizing the choices someone has made or the lifestyle they are in.
We Have the Power to Switch Atmosphere’s
Every word that comes out of our mouths has to line up with what Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit says about them. It’s what we call “switching atmospheres” or declaring the opposite. We may see all the natural things in them and their lives, but we need to be speaking out the opposite over them and how God sees them, both now and in their futures. Our words have creative power, either negative or positive. And because we are created in His image, we can always speak the truth in His love, His wisdom, and His knowledge.
World View or God’s Eyes?
I have seen and heard too many so-called New Testament prophets and prophecies become criticizing, condemning, and judgmental. When this happens, they are telling people who they are not and to “clean themselves up!” No, no, no! How do we feel when someone calls us out on our faults and destroys our self-image and self-worth? What makes it even worse is that their de-valuation is based on the world ways and the worlds thoughts. It does not make us feel great and it sow’s further seeds of fear, doubt, and damnation into our lives.
See the Treasure Not the Dross
We all have blind spots and we all have our faults, but God’s nature will always see the treasure in us and not the dross. So why would we want to call out anything else? We need to know how much He loves and cares about us first before we can release this to others, and this is where E.E.C. words are formed in our own hearts.
Every Outcome Begins With a Choice
Choose to believe what God says about you—and no-one else. Every outcome begins with a choice, an act of your will. No matter what your emotions say, choose to “let God be true, but every man [and every contrary emotion] a liar” (Romans 3:4 NKJV). Whatever you’ve said about yourself previously, or whatever you have said about others, God says He has not given you a spirit of fear, “but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). He has given it to you! However, you must choose to believe and receive His gift of “power, love and a sound mind.” Memorize it and meditate on it until it takes root in you. Then you can reveal these same seeds in your words for others.