Can you believe it’s already been over a month? How time flies!
I pray that if you have chosen to join me in this challenge to love your husband more, these past 4 weeks have been a blessing and a time of growth for your marriage.
Without further ado…Week #5 Challenge:
Characteristic–A Wife Who is Kind
Last week, we looked at James 1:19 that says,
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (ESV)
Since kindness is our goal, we will continue to focus on being slow to speak, because even though our tongue is one of the smallest of members of the human body, it is the hardest to control and capable of doing immense harm.
As the Bible says,
“…the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”
James 3:6-10 (NKJV)
A fire. A world of iniquity. Set on fire by hell. An unruly evil. Full of deadly poison.
Can you think of a moment when you hurt someone (intentionally or unintentionally) with the words that came out of your mouth? I know I can. And I’d give anything to have not said them in the first place.
But that proves what God is telling us here–we cannot tame our tongues–we need help if we are to be loving and kind to others.
Praise the Lord that He “is greater than man”. (Job 33:12, NKJV)
He is more than able to reign in the unruly evil that resides within us. That is, if we allow Him. If you, like me, are tired of having an untamed tongue, tell God how you feel. Confess your sins to Him (He already knows anyway); confess your desire to control things on your own; turn away from the insanity of committing the same sin over and over and humbly ask Him to do what you cannot. Seek Him, read His Word for wisdom on how to live and speak, and submit your will daily to His leading.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit and soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, He will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV)
He is faithful. He is good. He will do it.
Practical Way to Love Your Husband
Here’s a question for you: Do you like it when other people interrupt you?
I’m guessing that you don’t.
And I’m also guessing that when someone has interrupted you in the past, the thought that popped in your mind wasn’t “Oh, she is being so kind to me!”
Normally, a person that doesn’t allow others to finish what they are saying is not seen as considerate and loving–quite the opposite.
Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 29:20 (NKJV)
He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. Proverbs 18:13 (NKJV)
In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19 (NKJV)
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23 (NKJV)
So, starting this week–Don’t Interrupt Your Husband.
3 Things are Necessary for this to happen:
#1. We must ask God to open our eyes to moments when we talk-over, cut-off or interrupt our spouses. Many times we are so comfortable in our way of living that we can become blind to these things.
#2. As wives, we must view all that our husbands say as important. Because if in our minds what he is saying is of little relevance, then it’s no big deal to cut him off or change the subject in the middle of the conversation. Ask God to help you see your husband through His eyes. Ask Him to renew your love, respect and interest in your spouse.
#3. Finally, we must show patience with our husbands.
“Love is patient and kind.” 1 Corinthians 13:4
So, what does it mean to be patient?
Oxford Dictionaries defines being patient as: able to accept or tolerate delays, problems or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
After reading what being patient really means, has it ever been a problem for you? I know I’ve had my moments. And in the midst of those moments, God has revealed to me my sin of pride and lack of consideration and patience towards others. And how far I am from reflecting His true, loving nature.
However…
…The God of all Grace, through His Word and His Spirit, has gently lead me to repentance during these times and helped me to better understand the path that He desires that I choose.
The Path of Lovingkindness. The Path of Patience. The Path of Peace. The Path where others (and what they have to say) are more important than I.
The Path where Jesus is exalted.
And this is the Path that, when we choose to walk in its way, can result in multiplied love in our marriages.
Date Night Idea
Go Stargazing.
For more date ideas check out my article: 25, Free, Quarantine-Approved Date Ideas for You and Your Husband
Prayer
As always, begin by giving thanks to the God of peace. Thank Him for His promises, thank Him for His goodness and thank Him for your husband.
A passage to pray for your husband is Ephesians 5:1-14.
Here’s a portion of it:
“…Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth). finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light…Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:8b-14
Pray that God would expose any unfruitful works of darkness (big or small) in yours or your husband’s life and that both would repent and walk in the light of Christ’s love.
I pray that the love in our marriages would be multiplied greatly as we allow the God of peace to transform the most unruly, evil member of our body–our tongues.
If you’re interest in joining this challenge to love your husband more, please subscribe and let me know in the comments!
START HERE: 52 Weeks of Multiplying Love in Your Marriage Challenge: Week #1
Blessings!
Titus 2 in a “TextMe” World 