Greetings Prayer Warriors,
In today’s culture, it is often hard to reconcile scripture passages with how we may currently think and act.
Consider Ephesians 5:22: “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord”.
I used to cringe at that passage not understanding it and certainly not even hearing “as to the Lord”. My visual was too focused on my own independence and thinking that subordinate meant slave or doormat to my spouse. Yet, it doesn’t say that. As to the Lord, I am subordinate because He loves me so much that he died for me. I completely trust him. Contemplating that marriage should be a mirror of that relationship, is something both spouses should ponder when evaluating their relationship.
Scripture even captures how we are to be as we age. Men continue to be defined as spiritual leaders.
As for yourself, you must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance.
Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.
Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us. Titus 2:1-8
We shouldn’t measure our behavior against the current culture, (we'd look better than we are) but against what faith and tradition have preserved and passed down through scripture and Christ's church. Are we rising to our roles? Men, are you embracing spiritual leadership, or letting it default to your wife? Are you striving each day to imitate Christ? Women, are you allowing your husbands to lead? Encouraging them when they don’t step up? Supporting them when they do?
Everyone will need to look at these scripture passages through the lens of their own marriage. I have no doubt that in doing so, you will enter into a long conversation with God! Listen. He will guide you on how to be a better spouse, a better example to engaged couples, younger couples, as well a better child of God. Then…pray for marriages, especially your own!!
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Understanding begins by submitting yourself to God. Pass it on! https://simplyinspiredprayer.blogspot.com/
