Our adversary, the devil, does not like the marriage bond ordained by God between man and woman. From the beginning of time, there has been friction between the sexes. Husbands and wives have a tendency to go after each other’s throats whether in Christ or out of the fold. It is difficult for marriages to last without practicing Godly principles. If Christ is not in the midst of a marriage, it becomes very difficult for the union to survive. Christ is the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.

When a man truly loves a woman and desires to have children, he should take her as his wife. The Apostle Paul makes this position very clear: “But if they can't control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It's better to marry than to burn with lust.” (1 Cor. 7:9) I am deeply concerned about the relationships that exist between men and women in this Age who claim to practice Christianity. Crosses and other symbolic jewelry do not mean that one is familiar with or cherishes what occurred on the hill far away. A bookmarker with passages of Scripture written in fancy ink does not mean that one is on the right page with God. Having a fancy Bible in one’s hand with your name in gold does not mean the person carrying it knows what happened on Golgotha. What took place on that hill far away is important, and George Bennard declares, “I love that old rugged cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.”

A great deal of immoral and ungodly behavior exists among Christian couples in our society and it is creeping into the church. It is our duty as believers in Christ Jesus to show people going astray a better way. Followers of Jesus Christ must strive to be imitators of God and walk in love. (Eph. 5:1, 2)

A few years ago many individuals were wearing arm bracelets with the initials WWJD (What would Jesus do?). However, simply wearing a bracelet is not enough, for the fruit we bear measures our lives. The Apostle Paul speaks earlier in his epistle about walking as followers of Christ and abstaining from fornication, filthiness, or foolish talking, but rather giving of thanks. (Eph. 5:1-4)

The Christian Wife is very important to the life of the family. A good wife is hard to find but “[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” (Pro 18:22) Many husbands sitting here can testify that a good wife is special in many ways. Her love for her husband and family is second only to her love for the Lord. She does not have to struggle with the principles of “women’s liberation” because “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

Submission to the husband – Paul begins this passage with a very controversial position. He states, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husband as unto the Lord." I heard a preacher declare that the wife can get an indication of her love for the Lord through her ability to yield to her husband’s authority. Of course, the wife is not supposed to listen to a foolish person that tries to lead her in an unGodly or immoral direction. The idea of being in subjection to a person or yielding to their advice is radical language in this day and time. Asking women of this century to obey their husbands almost seems far-reaching and may cause conflict in certain settings. What has caused this crack in the attitude of many wives towards their husbands? Perhaps the ways of the society we live in is causing tension with the wife’s Spirit.

Perhaps wives are allowing other areas of their lives to get in the way of their time with the Lord. Whatever the case, wives’ submitting to their husbands raises a great deal of controversy. Nevertheless, the Savior informs the wife that she should submit to her husband as unto the Lord. My sisters, when the Lord asks you to serve Him, do you holler at heaven and tell Him to shut up? Do you scream at the one who puts food on your table and gives you air to breath? When the Lord calls your name, you make a sincere effort to give Him the best of your service. So why do you scream, roll your eyes, or just act plain moody when your husband asks for a favor instead of submitting to Him? Paul, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is stating that God is the one who declares that a wife obey her husband. However, keep in mind that the husbands have a duty, not an option, to love their wives as Christ loves His church.

Much of the problem with submitting to one’s husband is a result of disobedience to God. It is not a good idea to disobey the Lord and He does not take it lightly. Disobedience to God will destroy your marriage and may have you living on the streets. Disobedience to God causes one to slip and slide into sinful behavior, and the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. (Col 3:6)

Obedience to God helps your marriage to last and your home to endure. Following what the Lord says is good for one’s mental and spiritual health. Obeying God is better than sacrifice, and the rewards are far reaching. My sisters, obey the Lord and do your best to make your husbands happy. Even when they are in a bad mood, remember that it takes two to tangle. So be sure that you spend as much private time with the Lord as possible. If you are not spending special moments with the Savior, then someone or something is stealing your time. We serve a jealous God, and He does not enjoy playing second fiddle, a jealous God who wants first place in every aspect of our lives.

For the husband is the head of the wife – This metaphor tells us there is a relationship between the husbands being the head of the wife, much like Christ is the head of the church. Wives, look for the Jesus in your husbands, and once you see Him, you know that he has the right or power to enforce rules. Listen to the language he uses, the tone of his voice, and watch his attitude and actions towards you. For when Christ expresses his authority over His church, He does so in love, and He supplies her with divine protection and comfort. That is why most of us who love the Lord will bend over backwards for Him, and give the best of our service. In this regard, the wife ought to recognize her husband’s authority and find great joy in keeping him pleased.

Be faithful to your own husband – This also means that sisters have to remain faithful to their own husbands. Do not think for a minute that all wives are faithful to their husbands. Infidelity should not exist in your home. Unfaithfulness to one’s marriage vows is sinful and destructive and often leads to divorce. Wives, remain faithful to your husbands, and if there are issues that need working out, do so among yourselves. Stop picking up the phone, talking to your girlfriends, because your marriage is on the rocks, and call on the name of the Lord. The truth is that many wives talk too much about their personal business. Do not discuss your private problems with your so-called friends. You had better watch out, because before you know it, they will be calling your husband their honey and taking all of his money.

Be faithful to your own husband and do not even dignify that jive “rap” with a response, and be careful how you respond to compliments. Be careful because “Jody” may be trying to put his foot in the door. Occasionally a sister will stray because the husband fails to tell her how beautiful she is or give a kind word about her outfit, but other men do. However, follow the directions of the Lord and remain faithful to God in everything. Faith in the Lord will take you from earth to glory. Faith in the Lord will allow wondrous things to happen in your life.

Faith in the Lord will tear down mountains of despair and hurt. Faith in the Lord takes away the turbulence that once tried to destroy your life. When one has faith in the Lord, it makes life worth living. Faith in the Lord makes you want to shout when others are sitting still. Just think about his goodness and mercy for a moment; let your mind go back to when you first believed. “Shackled by a heavy burden, ‘neath a load of guilt and shame; then the hand of Jesus touched me, and now I am no longer the same. Since I met this blessed Savior, since He cleansed and made me whole; I will never cease to praise Him, I’ll shout it while eternity rolls. He touched me, O, He touched me, and O, the joy that floods my soul; something happened, and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.”

If He made you whole, give Him praise.

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