You will be witnesses of me . . . to the most distant part of the earth.—Acts 1:8.
The truly wise woman has built up her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.—Prov. 14:1.
“A discreet wife,” one in whom her husband can really “put trust,” is considerate of his feelings, just as she wants him to be of hers. (Prov. 19:14; 31:11) Parents and children likewise should speak to one another with graciousness. (Matt. 15:4) When talking to younger ones, thoughtfulness will help us to avoid “exasperating” them or ‘provoking them to wrath.’ (Col. 3:21; Eph. 6:4, ftn.) Even if the children must be disciplined, parents and elders should speak to them respectfully. In this way, older ones make it easier for the youths to correct their course and maintain their relationship with God. That is so much better than conveying the impression that we have given up on them, whereupon they may give up on themselves. Younger ones might not remember all the counsel they received, but they will remember how others spoke to them. w10 6/15 4:16, 17
Hear what the spirit says to the congregations.—Rev. 2:29.
They know each one his own plague and his own pain.—2 Chron. 6:29.
All these blessings must come upon you and overtake you, because you keep listening to the voice of Jehovah your God.—Deut. 28:2.
To Abraham’s fleshly seed, the nation of Israel, God once said the above. The same can be said to God’s servants today. If you desire Jehovah’s blessing, “keep listening” to his voice. Then his blessings “must come upon you and overtake you.” What, though, does “listening” involve? Listening certainly includes taking to heart what is said in God’s Word and the spiritual food that he provides. (Matt. 24:45) It also means obeying God and his Son. Jesus said: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.” (Matt. 7:21) And listening to God means willingly submitting oneself to the arrangement he has set in place, the Christian congregation with appointed elders, “gifts in men.”—Eph. 4:8. w10 12/15 3:17, 18
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