THE SECRET OF SUCCESS IN MARRIAGE (3)
You are welcome to this third segment of the teaching of this month. Two weeks ago, I taught on how to lay a good foundation, if you want to enjoy success in marriage. Last week, I showed you how to fulfill your marriage responsibilities.
This week, I will be sharing with you on Dealing Treacherously With Your Wife. One common way of dealing treacherously with your spouse is when you engage in physical combat (Malachi 2:16).
I discovered from the dictionary that the word "treacherously" simply means "dangerously, deceptive" Therefore, don't be a dangerous/deceptive husband. Don't deal treacherously or pretend to be good and do evil instead to your spouse. The word "treacherous" also means traitor, betrayal of trust. Because you are into a covenant relationship, it is very important for you not to betray your wife. The Bible says God hates the idea of one dealing treacherously with his or her spouse. As a believer in Christ, you ought to hate evil too. Since God is a Covenant Keeper, you will be exhibiting godliness by ensuring that you are also a covenant keeper, and not to destroy the trust your wife has for you.
Lack of communication and understanding among others are some of the reasons some men abuse and beat their wives. The man must understand that the woman was given to him by God to take care of, not to beat or turn her into a punching bag!
When a man beats his wife he exhibits folly (Proverbs 26:4). No matter how provoked, a man must never stoop so low as to beat his wife. God's Word says: For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church (Ephesians 5:29).
Beating your wife is a sin against God. Being joined in a holy wedlock, God sees the couple as one - that's why He called the man and his wife "Adam" (Genesis 5:2). It was Adam who gave his wife a separate name, Eve.
Husband, don't turn your wife's body into a punching bag! Remember that her body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. There's nothing of beauty that didn't take some time and energy to put in place. Every beautiful garden was tended before it became beautiful, and must continue to be tended if it must remain beautiful. In like manner, marriage must be tended before it can work, and continuously too, to sustain it.
As a husband, the Bible instructs you to dwell with your wife according to knowledge. I like the way the Amplified version puts it: In the same way you married men should live considerately with (your wives), with an intelligent recognition (of the marriage relation), honoring the woman as (physically) the weaker, but (realizing that you) are joint heirs of the grace (God's unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. (Otherwise you cannot pray effectively (1 Peter 3:7 (Amp. Bible).
When a man understands the nature of his wife and works according to that understanding, problems are less likely to arise in their home. He puts less pressure on her because he realizes that she is not a robot. She is a wife, mother and homemaker all at once, and these all place a demand on her. He must be considerate of her feelings and needs, and be available to minister to her.
God's Word says: Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered (I Peter 3:7). Don't give up on your wife. Give her honour. Don't render evil for evil; don't seek to repay every wrong with a wrong because two wrongs don't make a right. Jesus endured all contradictions of sinners. We, too, can overlook certain things just as He did.
Husband, know your wife's likes and dislikes. She is an individual, too, who has a mind of her own. Never compare her with your mum! It is foolishness to do so. Never treat her as an old cargo. Renew your love for her on a daily basis!
To have a successful marriage, you need the grace of God to give it all it takes. This is done by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Savious. Now I know I am born again!
If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and He will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God's Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through:
E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8;
For more insight, these books authored by Pastor Faith Oyedepo are available at the Dominion Book Stores in all the Living Faith Churches, and other leading Christian book stores:
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Single With A Difference,
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Marriage Covenant,
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Making Marriage Work,
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Building a Successful Family,
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The Effective Minister's Wife and
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Success in Marriage (Co-Authored with Bishop David Oyedepo).