June 23, 2024 — Episode #25

Trust and respect are the currency of good counsel between spouses — but what happens when one partner isn’t willing to receive it? Jerry and Becky dig into the give-and-take of marital advice.

They outline what it takes to give and receive counsel well: trust, genuine and blameless motivation, commitment to work through problems, and faith in a spouse’s good intentions. Becky admits she sometimes has to resist interrupting Jerry before he finishes a thought, and the couple discusses the temptation to vent to best friends instead of working things out with a spouse. Drawing on a biblical-counseling framework, they cover compassion, respect, honesty, prayer, and the fruit of the Spirit as pillars of loving counsel, closing with Proverbs 12:15 on heeding wise counsel and a reminder to seek a trained Christian counselor when needed.

Topics discussed:

• Trust and respect as prerequisites for giving and receiving counsel
• Genuine, blame-free motivation when offering advice
• Avoiding the trap of venting to friends instead of your spouse
• Compassion, respect, and honesty in marital counsel
• Praying for a spouse’s growth rather than their change
• The fruit of the Spirit in marriage communication
• Proverbs 12:15 and James 4:17
• Finding a qualified Christian counselor

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