Godly Wife / Godly Husband

Details

Published on Monday, 01 August 2011 00:00

Godly Wife / Godly Husband

by Dave and Carol Hoppe

If you asked the vast majority of Americans to describe a Godly wife and a Godly husband, you'd probably hear something that goes like this. A Godly wife is always on time, she always says the right things, and she prepares gourmet meals every evening. You'd probably also hear how a Godly husband always has the right answers, that he always opens the door for his wife, and that he tells his wife he loves her constantly throughout the day.

As nice as these things sound, are they really the attributes of a Godly wife and a Godly husband? If not, then what are the attributes of a Godly couple? Where can we go to find the real answer to that question? Of course, we can go to God's word, the Bible!

Let's first take a look at the attributes of a Godly wife. We readinProverbs19:14,“Houses and richesarean inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.” So one of the attributes of a Godly wife is one who has insight, who is careful about what she says and does, and where she goes.

We read in Proverbs 31:10, “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” So, another attribute of a Godly wife is one who is moral, is of great worth. Did you know that rubies are actually more rare than diamonds? We see many women with jewelry studded with diamonds, but how many women do we see with rubies? So this is high praise indeed, comparing a Godly wife's worth to rubies!

And what would the husband's and the children's response be to a wife who is virtuous? We read in Proverbs 31:28 - 30, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.’ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”

So, we see that a Godly husband should praise his wife, should thank his wife, and should tell everyone what a wonderful, Godly wife he has. He should thank the Lord for the wife that the Lord has so blessed him with. We should never take our wives for granted. We should care for them, cherish them, thank them, and communicate with them.

Let's continue to look at the attributes of a Godly husband. In Matthew1:19&20 we read, “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’” A Godly husband is virtuous and upright. A Godly husband is one who listens to the Lord and obeys the Lord, as we read in Matthew 1:24, “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.”

The Bible tells us that a Godly husband is willing to die for his wife, as we read in Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” The Godly husband is willing to sacrifice his wants and needs in order to please and satisfy his wife. This also manifests itself in the Godly husband putting his wife's needs and wants before his.

Paul further describes this love that a Godly husband has for his wife in Ephesians 5:28 & 29: “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.” So a Godly husband loves his wife as much as he loves himself! A Godly husband nourishes his wife. He cherishes his wife with tender love and tender care.

We read in Ephesians 5:23 that the Godly husband is the leader of his household: “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” The Godly husband is the leader, not a dictator; he gently leads, he does not dictate! The Godly husband directs, he does not demand.

The Godly husband seeks his wife's help because we need to remember that when the Lord made woman, He made her to be a helper to her husband, as we read in Genesis 2:20: “But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.”A wise, Godly husband seeks the help of his Godly wife.

We realize that some of the married people reading this article are married to an unbelieving spouse. It must be very discouraging, and hard to know what a Godly marriage should be like, and yours may be very far from that. We don't want to leave you discouraged! We would like to encourage you to continue to be that Godly wife, that Godly husband! Why? Because the Lord may be using you to bring your spouse to salvation! We read in 1 Corinthians 7:16, “For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?” So don't be discouraged! Continue to draw close to the Lord and keep your eyes fixed on Him as He works through you!

Remember, a Godly wife is a helper to her husband, one who is valuable, who has insight, is careful about what she says, what she does, and where she goes. A Godly husband is virtuous, upright, obeys the Lord, praises his wife, puts his wife's needs before his, cherishes his wife, nourishes his wife, and gently, compassionately leads his household.

To be a Godly wife and to be a Godly husband is a tall order!But we need to remember that we have help! Paul exhorts us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” As you draw closer to the Lord together as a couple through His Word and prayer, He will transform you into that Godly spouse that He desires you to be! And what joy He will fill your marriage with, which in turn will leave your neighbors and co-workers asking you about the hope that lies within you!

May the Lord bless you and your marriage as you become vessels for His glory!