For Husbands

- "Likewise"-- Christian husbands are called to be Christlike just as Christian wives are called to be Christlike. And submission is to be applied to husbands, too. Submit to God and submit to one another. "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Eph. 5:21) Same selflessness and holiness are expected from both Christian husbands and Christian wives.

This is an instruction for husbands.

• "Live with your wives in an understanding way"-- Be understanding, instead of demanding. Be considerate/thoughtful toward your wife. Seek to know and to meet your wife's needs, concerns, and desires. A husband should care about his wife's feelings. A wife feels loved when she feels understood by her husband. Make the intentional effort to know and understand her more and more on a deep level. Do you know her personality, her likes and dislikes, her strengths, her weaknesses, her fears, her joys, her hopes and dreams? Does she feel loved and accepted unconditionally by you? Practice at noticing your wife. Encourage and edify her. Be a faithful & faith-filled provider and protector. Take good care of your wife. Be patient with her. Avoid being domineering, discourteous, arrogant, and self-seeking. Be her best friend. Provide loving leadership in the home. Consideration, chivalry, and companionship are truly appreciated by wives. Be intentional/take initiative/be active in developing and maintaining togetherness/oneness in your marriage. Promote emotional, physical, and spiritual closeness.

• "Showing honor to the woman"-- Treat your wife with respect. Honor your wife who is the weaker vessel (referring to physical strength, not mental, intellectual, or spiritual strength), instead of taking advantage of her because she is weaker. Cherish her, your precious treasure. Speak well of her (including behind her back) and speak respectfully, kindly, and lovingly to her. Your wife is not to be treated with neglect, harshness, and contempt. True manliness is being tender toward women. Do you (husband) criticize everything your wife does or drive your wife like a slave or use/abuse your wife as an object of pleasure? Do you always have to get your own way? Do you put your career, hobbies, friends, entertainment, etc. above your wife? Do you take your wife for granted? Show your wife that she is precious to you by spending time with her, talking with her and listening attentively to her, praying with her and for her, protecting her, and loving her as Christ loves His Church. "If you have children, it is your job as head of the household to make sure that they honor their mother. You model it by treating her with honor, but you enforce it by disciplining them for disrespect toward her." (Steven Cole)

- Christian women/wives, just the same as Christian men/ husbands, receive and experience God's grace. "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ." (Galatians 3:28) They equally share in eternal life, inheritance, and blessings of grace. God does not show favoritism.

- Disobedience/disregard to God's instruction concerning husband-wife relationship hinders one's spiritual fellowship with God and prayer life. "I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing." (1 Timothy 2:8) A Christian husband ought to honor God in the way he treats his wife. Simply put, you can’t ignore your wife, be angry with your wife, have an unresolved dispute with your wife, or mistreat your wife and expect God to be on your side and answer your prayers. The communication line between you and God is broken down when you fail to treat your wife as God intends. You cannot enjoy close communion with God.

Note: To read my post written for wives, click here.