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When Marriages Go Sour ... Attitudes that Sweeten
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wife (I Cor. 11:3), that man was not created for the woman,
but the woman for man (verses 7 and 9). God commands men
to
love
their wives. And wives to respect their husbands (Eph.
5:33). Note how simply but beautifully the Bible expresses the
truly loving, healing attitudes that are to be expressed be–
tween husbands and wives:
" ... husbands, dwell with them [wives] according to
knowledge
[of what God reveals about a woman's needs]
giving
honour
unto the wife ... as being
heirs together of the
grace of
[eternal]
life:
that your prayers be not hindered.
Finally ... having
compassion
one of another ... ,
be courte–
ous:
not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but
contrariwise blessing ..." (I Pet. 3:7-9).
"Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the
husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the
church.... As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives
also be subject in everything to their husbands. Husbands,
love your wives,
as Christ loved the church and gave himself
up for her .... "
(Eph. 5:21, 22, 25, 28, RSV).
Why is it so important for mates to live this way? "He
who loves his wife loves himself' (verse 28). Men who misuse
their wives or wives who rail against their husbands, damage
and destroy themselves and their own happiness!
By contrast, God's way to marital peace is to "let each
one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that
she respects her husband" (Eph. 5:33, RSV).
Isn't it time you admitted any wrong attitudes toward
your mate? Isn't it time you sought God's forgiveness and
help to express right attitudes and actions in your marriage?
Obey God's living laws of marital happiness and healing.
Express appreciation to your mate. Give honor and respect.
Be merciful and forgiving. Be helpful and constructive. Live
as a team, with each respecting the other's God-given role.