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Grace to Those Who Hear

January 16, 2013 By

Author: Jeanine Cook

What do your kids hear from you throughout the day?  Could they anticipate some of what comes out of your mouth?  Is it encouraging, critical, easy on the ears or a clanging? What a great privilege and challenge it is to be the one sure fire source of encouragement, compliment and loving-kindness for another. Especially when the object of such lovely words is someone you get to live with day in and day out through thick and thin.

Ephesians 4:29 is a great encouragement to me personally, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” vs 32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”. These words so inspire me to just love on my babies and my husband. I know that there will be lots of times throughout the day where I will need to instruct, correct and rebuke my children. That is my duty and privilege for the world is a harsh teacher. I would much rather they hear from me as I draw upon God’s word and principles when it comes to discipline and training. To rely on the world to address their faults would be cruel. At the same time, I don’t count on the world to “build them up” either. That is my privilege.

Be encouraged, you are or could be the “one” that your loved ones, both in and out of your home,  could count on to always have words that “give grace to those who hear.” So, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us with our thoughts and words, to hear ourselves. So, that we can make any needed adjustments to our speech so that our precious families have no lack of gain when it comes to “building up” and giving “grace to those who hear.”

Next Week’s Author:  Steve Hodges

Jeanine Cook has been happily married to her husband Jeremy for 19 yrs. They have three children Dylan 16, Jericho 11 and Gentry 9. They live in Concord, CA and minister at Concord Bible Church where Jeremy has the privilege of serving as Senior Pastor while Jeanine serves on the women’s ministry team. She is a seamstress by trade but her greatest joy is being a child of God, a mother and a wife!
Jeanine Cook
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4 comments on “Grace to Those Who Hear”

  1. Passionate Purposeful Parenting on said:

    Ephesians 4: 29-32 — One of my favorite passages! Such great encouragement! Let’s all rely on the Holy Spirit and set the tone for our homes — filling it with “building up” and giving “grace to those who hear.” Thank you for sharing your “spurring on words” with us! :)

  2. jeanine cook on said:

    I can attest that you, my friend, are actively engaged in this pursuit. :) Keep up the good work Melanie!

  3. Kim A. on said:

    Thank you, Jeanine– I needed to hear that! I seem to be “correcting” (sometimes loudly) one of my daughters all the time… when she really needs me to build her up and speak softly to her!
    Can you email me this article every morning? =)

    • jeanine cook on said:

      Hey Kim :) I guess this is a journey we are both on! Thank the Lord for His Spirit to remind us of His truths.