Honor Your Wife
December 1, 2008
Yesterday we finished up a two part series on Marriage. The first week we talked about the Woman’s role in the marriage (Article to soon follow) and this week we talked about the Man’s role. When we work with God’s design for marriage (between and man and a woman) and we are obedient to what scripture says we cannot fail. Here is a recap from what I talked about yesterday;
Honor Your Wife
1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered
We are called as husbands to honor our wives. Peter is very clear in laying out five ways that husbands can do so.
1. Serve Her: (Eph 5:25) Peter tells us to dwell with understanding. This means to live with your wife in such a way as to know her thoroughly. The only way you can truly do that is by serving her. Just as Christ took the role of a bondservant so we as husbands must also. The best way to serve her is to be considerate of her needs. Put some thought into how you can best serve her then think about her first before you act. This will show her that you truly do want to serve her.
2. Treasure Her: (Eph 5:28) Peter tells us to give honor to our wives. This means that we hold her up above everything else in our life. She is our most treasured possession treat her that way. How do you show that you are treasuring her? Invest time and money it her. What are doing with your free time and where are you spending your expendable money? If your wife doesn’t get any of these then reprioritize. You have to show your wife that you treasure her not just say it.
3. Protect Her: (Eph 6:10) Peter reminds us that physically our wife is the weaker vessel. So our role is to become a shield for her. We protect from and physical and emotional harm. We provide and safe and secure haven for her to live. She wants to know that you have the strength and desire to stand up for her and your family.
4. Desire Her: (1 Cor 7:3) Our marriage is the best thing in our life. It may not be that way in reality but that is the way that God designed it. Peter calls it the grace of life. This means that our marriage is something that we did not earn and do not deserve. Be a companion to your wife. Desire for her to be by your side. Cultivate the intimacy that God intends for each married couple to enjoy. Work at making your wife the greatest thing you desire her on earth.
5. Cover Her: (1 Tim 2:8) Pray for your wife. Peter assumes that you are already doing this so he mentions that you honor your wife so that your prayers won’t be hindered. If there are issues between you and your wife that haven’t been repented of then you need to ask for forgiveness and get them right. Men our job is to pray for our family (1 Tim 2:4) which means we need to have everything clear before the altar so we can offer up our prayers.
I believe that if we work on doing these five things we will have no problem with our marriage. It doesn’t mean there won’t be trials or even struggles but if we do what scriptures tells us we will never fail.
