Husbands, LOVE YOUR WIVES!!!

Gentlemen,

This week’s men's group discussion centered on the second major relationship in our life: our spouse. Ephesians 5:25-31 gives the Scriptural foundation for this relationship. We are told to love our wives as Christ loved the church—and we all know He gave it all for us.

Here’s the deal:

Are we laying our lives down for our wives . . . daily? Notice I didn’t say “willing to” . . . are we actually DOING it? Laying your life down is much more than just taking a bullet for your wife—it’s walking in a state of humbleness, openness, and, yes, brokenness. It’s dying to self. For some of us (me in particular) this is a struggle. I can convince myself that I’d be willing to do something, but when the rubber meets the road I back down, I internalize, I believe a lie from the enemy that convinces me I’m doing the right thing when in reality I am not.

There is nothing like the power of confession to humble a man. Satan cannot bind you with confessed sin. Freedom is in the forgiveness—both from God and the person whom you have indirectly or directly wronged.

A good “laying your life down” heart check is to ask yourself these questions:

1) Do I have any hidden sin in my life?

2) Have I been completely open and honest with my wife about everything?

3) Have I been hypocritical? (saying one thing and behaving another way)

4) [Fill in your heart check question here—you know what it is better than anyone else]

Let’s love our wives like Christ loves us. Let’s get about doing the hard things. Dying to self is a good place to start.

(adapted from summary by Scott Mitchell)