There are really two meanings for "build" in the Bible. When something is being built for the first time, or built in the most typical sense, it means collecting relatively external ideas to build up a doctrinal system. In other cases, though, "build" is used in reference to something that has been destroyed. In such cases, "build" refers to removing our desires for evil so we can began a new stage of spiritual growth. In these cases "build" is often used together with "raise up," which means removing false ways of thinking in the same process.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 153, 1488, 4390)

118. For this reason it happens that, if only a man's ruling affection is known, then, when he is saying or doing anything, another recognizes from what purpose and from what love, as it were from what fountain, it springs. The Lord says that an evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit, and a good tree good fruit, and that an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit. ¹

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