Domestic Affairs IV

“Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly” Col.3:19

“Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them” Col.3:19 [AMP, emphasis added]. A man goes out of his way trying to be nice and tries to buy his wife a gift. But the first thing the wife says is how much did you buy it? The man is not sure where this is going but he responds fifteen thousand. And she screams, you have been cheated. How can you even buy this for that amount, I could have gotten this same item for half the price. What have you done? Most men really do not care how much it cost, they like it and they buy it. But you get the gift and instead of you to just celebrate the man and make him feel good for buying you something, you kill it. Some women even ask for the receipt so they can go back to the store. God is saying be affectionate and sympathetic.

When God is saying to wives submit to your husband and husbands love your wives, take note that submission is qualified – as it is fitting to a follower of Jesus. So you submit as it is fitting to a follower of Jesus. We are creating a balance here for wives because we should not assume that people know these things. My wife and I were counseling a couple in my living room years ago, and in process of premarital counseling I noticed that what existed between the couple to be was rather unhealthy. If the man tells the lady to jump she is just going to ask how high do you want me to jump? So I asked her, submission is of God right? If your husband tells you to do anything will you do it? She says I will do it. I said anything? She said I will do it. I said if your husband asks you to poison his mother because he is tired of her and wants you to get rid of her will you do it? She said he is my husband so I will do it. I said that is not what God has sent you to do. That is not submission. That is abuse. Submit as fitting to a follower of Jesus. So the question is, is this fitting to a follower of Jesus? If husband initiates bowing down to an idol, is that fitting to a follower of Jesus? No! Disobey, gladly and disobey in Jesus Name. “Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them” Col.3:18-19 [AMP]. Again I emphasize, as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord.

Prayer: Father, I pray that You will teach and help my spouse and I live our lives by Your Word and I pray the same for every couple reading this today, in Jesus Name.