I have been pondering lately three little words found in a Bible verse. These three words have changed my way of thinking and my way of life. They are found in Ephesians 4:24. The words are : "in every thing." Who knew what a difference those words would make to my marriage.
Here is the whole verse in context with two other verses: Ephesians 5:22-24
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Do you see a clause that says .... "in every thing as long as the wife is in agreement and as long as the wife thinks it is the best decision and if......: If you see that clause in your Bible get to the nearest Christian bookstore and buy another Bible and try not to rewrite the scriptures this time. Yes, I too enjoy writing in my Bible and making little notes BUT we should not be changing the verses! :)
This all came about when I heard of some women friends of mine struggling because thier husbands wanted them on chemical birth control. Many Christians believe that chemical birth control causes abortion, and while I am not a big fan of the stuff, I dont know this for 100 % so I stay out of the argument. These women suffer mightly at the hands of our own sisters, but to them I say be subjected to your husbands in EVERYTHING. Oh but what about the wife of the unbelieving husband. Surely she should make her own decisions regarding this. Nope.
1 Peter 3:1 tells us : "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; "
Tell me ladies which do you think would win the lost husband to the Lord... the nagging wife who is a constant drip (Proverbs 27:15) or a submissive, obedient, chaste wife?
I have asked my husband to hold me accountable. If he catches me complaining or murmuring or being contentious I have asked him to call me on it. As a matter of fact a few nights ago I was upset about something and I was murmuring. He jokingly asked if I was murmuring against him. I started to snap at him but caught myself and with a deep breath said, "Yes I am and I am sorry." He reacted with, "WOW!" which made me smile. See this is not normal for me. He thought for sure when I asked him to hold me accountable he was actually taking his own life in his hands. I have worked very hard this past week to be completly obedient to him and while I have slipped a few times and even surprised myself at the grace of God a few times I have to say our home has been more pleasent.
I want to mention one more thing about this subject. Although Im sure it wont be the last... someimes I tend to be a "soapbox" queen. Take a moment and read through the Gospels. Notice if you will that God informed Mary through an angel that she would bear Jesus. BUT after Mary and Joseph got married all of Gods instructions were sent to Joseph. So wives if you are itching to find a new church and hubby says no stop for a moment and ponder: "Has God given my husband information that I dont have?" I firmly believe that if you are in the wrong church but hubby says stay that you will be more blessed obeying him then going off into your little corner and pouting about it OR worse yet going to another church without him.
This is just an example I hope that you will take it and apply it to other areas of your life as well.
