The sermon above is one of the best, if not the best, I've heard given on biblical submission. Pastor Darrin is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Wheeling, WV. I've been listening to most of his messages for about 4 years now, essentially for one year prior to my oldest child attending his church and the subsequent 3 years when she was a member. Now that she's no longer there, I continue to listen because he is a pastor full of love for his congregation. He sacrifices, along with his beautiful wife, to serve the people God has entrusted him with. The time and attention he puts into studying cannot be missed and are matched by the other pastor I strive to listen to weekly, John MacArthur.
If you listen to the sermon linked to above, you will surely know what respect for a husband looks like. As a wife, I usually know, but sometimes I'm not paying attention and might act in a way that isn't respectful. We all learn what our husbands want, or at least, we should...and as seasons change, we should take stock and see if we need to up our game.
God gives us husbands to be our priest, provider and protector. How do we honor that? Our tone of voice, stopping to look at them and greet them when they enter a room, looking at them when they speak to us, following their lead---these are things that mean a lot. Our husbands should be who we ask first about biblical questions and who we go to for advice. They are the spiritual head of the home and they appreciate when we show regard for their opinions.
Regarding husbands being our providers--whether a wife works outside the home or not, it is her duty and calling to keep the home and make it a haven for her husband. We are told to be keepers at home. If we do not have to work for financial reasons, I don't think we should if we use it as an excuse to not cultivate the skills of maintaining a lovely place for the family to live. We show respect to our husbands when we make the home a priority. They have provided it, and our nurture of it shows our gratitude in ways words alone fail to do. Not liking housework or cooking is an excuse that is, quite honestly, lame. I do not think God is pleased when wives rebel and refuse to keep the home in a way that is pleasing to their husbands or who will not learn to cook because it isn't fun. NO amount of outside work makes up for failing to obey God's word. There is safety for a wife to not be influenced regularly from outside the home, and being home and tending it causes a dependence on the husband that is good. Home made meals are healthier, budget friendlier, and a wife can stay in shape keeping the house up which is a way to respect her husband. Look good for your man as best you can!
Honoring our husbands as our protector--God has set up the family unit so that men are the head and that is because BY DESIGN men are strong--mentally and physically. They create a hedge around the family, and we need to look to them as that by placing ourselves under their watchful care. The more we are out of the house, the harder this is. Women who do not have husbands should be under the care of their father, meaning they should defer to their Dad's advice first and foremost, letting suitors know how close she is to her father. It is a protection for her. Wives who are clearly under their husbands will naturally have less negative influences coming at them from the outside. Everyone just knows that a wife backed by a strong man is not easily swayed.
Ladies, learn your husband's wants and needs and do things the way he wants. That is how to respect him. Don't make him tell you to cook for him and clean the house and do his laundry--of course he wants that, but he doesn't want to have to force you. Submission is to willingly and lovingly cultivate what is needed to serve your husband. It is an attitude from the wife, who can hire some things out if needed, but she should first make sure she is putting aside those things that are easy "go-to's" outside the home and do the hard work of being a competent home maker. That shows a husband respect for what he has done and shows you care about him enough to take physical care of him. In the process, you will surely benefit. ♥
No comments:
Post a Comment