That's incredibly heavy. And nowhere, in my mind, is his deceit more evident than in the skewed ideas of husbands and wives and engaged couples today. Fidelity is optional, trust is nonexistent, and biblical leadership from the husband has all but disappeared."44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."-John 8:44
Ladies, we are fully living up to the curse passed down from Eve. We beat down and belittle our husbands. We make sure he knows that anything he can do we can do better, and then we berate him for not stepping up and pulling his weight. Feminism has taken hold and women everywhere are neglecting those responsibilities that they were divinely created for:
"4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. - Titus 2:4-5"
"Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands." - Ephesians 5:24
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those "women in the workplace is scandalous and sinful" kind of people. I hold a full-time job and will continue to do so even after I have children simply because finances call for it these days. But I do believe that a woman's first responsibility is to her home and her family. If she is so focused on her career that her family takes a back seat, that is sinful. Women were specifically designed to nurture - to "nest" as all those pregnancy articles call it. Our husbands weren't made that way, and that is all part of God's beautiful design.
Now, to all you husbands (or husbands-to-be). Don't let your wife be the "ball and chain." Lead! Stand up! Assert yourself! But do this in a gentle and loving way. Men today seem to get confused on their role in the home. You either shrink back and let your wife wear the pants, or you rule with an iron fist making demands and barking orders. This is exactly the enemy's plan for you, and the curse brought down by Adam.
"Your(woman's) desire shall be for your husband,A man's desire to be in charge is not, in and of itself, sinful. God created men to lead. They are designed to be the head of the household. Deep in their core, they are conquerors and protectors. But bringing home the bacon isn't your only job, husbands. You're called to lead in your family as well as in the work place. Your wife is called to submit to you, so be worthy or her submission. Lead her in righteousness and train your children in the wisdom of God.
and he shall rule over you." Genesis 3:16b
"19Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." - Colossians 3:19
"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." - 1 Peter 3:7Our Father created a beautiful union for us. One that mirrors His own love and covenant with His church. But we, with Satan's persuasion, have begun to think we know better and try to add things in or take things out. As expected, we've screwed it all up.
We've begun to look at marriage like a graduated form of dating, rather than the life long commitment that it is. We feel those "in love" feelings so we decide to get married, but make sure to sign a prenup so we can get out quickly with all of our own stuff when that feeling fades.
Divorce has become an easy out, and brides walk down the aisle almost expecting it to come.
We let our pride control our actions, and would rather hold on to bitter feelings of hurt and resentment than seek wise council that could mend our relationships.
We trust the enemy when he whispers that we should not show love to the spouse that is unloving, and that an affair is absolutely acceptable because we deserve to feel happy and loved.
We have become paranoid and refuse to trust each other with access to our finances and also to the true desires of our hearts.
A generation of resentful spouses has sprung up. From the time we're kids we're made to think that being married is miserable and you just have to suffer through or divorce.
My prayer for all of my married and soon-to-be married friends is that you strive to understand the purpose that marriage was created for. God has something truly beautiful for you if you will make the commitment to be the best for your spouse and to pray continually for them, even when they are undeserving.
"22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30because we are members of his body. 31 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." - Ephesians 5:22-33
Preach Anna! This is soooo my heart as well!!
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