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Edifying our Families

We will be looking at the power we have as we edify one another in our families.

It is a great privilege and responsibility that we have been given – To edify, bless, and take care of our families – Both our physical family and our spiritual family which is the body of Christ.

We are called to be a great example of how to live the Word as we edify one another in love.

Ephesians 4:15-16,29 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I love the simplicity and encouragement in these scriptures. We are to speak the truth, grow up, love people, align our lives with God’s word, work as a team in the household, edify one another with our words, and minister grace to those around us.

I want to read a quote from Zig Ziglar.   He was a successful salesman, motivational speaker and born-again Christian.  I thought his perspective on people might bless you.

“When you look for gold you literally move tons of dirt to find one ounce of gold.  When you work with people you also have to sift through lots of stuff to find the good inside.”

Look for the “gold” in people amid all the dirt. – If you edify the gold, the dirt disappears.  We can see one another the way God sees us.

Romans 14:19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

We are to be a friend to people and follow after the things that make for peace by edification.  It is not God’s will to have division among our families.

“If you go out looking for friends, you’re going to find they are very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.”
– Zig Ziglar

I would like to read another great quote to you.  As I was putting this teaching together, I searched the internet on “edifying one another in love” and just by chance came across this awesome document written by a woman named Kimberly Webb.  She is referring specifically to the marriage relationship here, but this certainly applies to anyone:

sunset couple“Begin by speaking life into the areas where a person is not functioning well. When he or she does something good, talk to them and tell them how much you appreciate what they are doing and how you believe in them. Do you know how powerful this is? You will have strengthened and boosted their confidence in God and in themselves. You are releasing them to be the man or woman of God they were purposed to be, a wise one led by the Lord. What a powerful role we have. – Supporting and encouraging our families to be guided and directed by God’s wisdom. Our families can’t help but be blessed, our finances can’t help but be increased and our lives can’t help but be anointed by God.”

(Paraphrased from this paper)

What a great paragraph. Not only do we learn what we are supposed to do, but also the benefits of doing so!

Love may not always be convenient, but it is always worth it. We manifest God’s love when we give and serve in love.

We can speak life into our families and friends. Our confession about ourselves and about other people is what will be manifested.

As we edify one another we will certainly be blessed as God honors his Word!

God Bless You!

From a January 2008 Teaching
[brackets indicate my comments]
All scriptures from the KJV Bible unless otherwise noted