Christian Only Material: Husband and wife are equal partners

BY Tope Banso
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. If you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard” (1 Peter 3:7 New Living Translation).
The husband is not superior to the wife. They are only different physically, biologically, mentally and emotionally. These differences must be understood for a healthy marriage relationship.
This truth, that the wife is an equal partner with the husband in God’s gift of new life, should be the bedrock of how the husband relates with his wife. He should treat the wife with honour, knowing that God gives both of them the same blessing. They’re different, and exist to complement each other. The Bible calls the wife the weaker vessel. That shows that the man also is weak! They need each other, and they need God.
Ephesians 5:23a says the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. Headship doesn’t mean being coercive and arbitrary. Christ is not. Headship means providing leadership. “The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing” (Ephesians 5:23 The Message). Leadership, by the husband, is not to lord it over the wife. Headship is responsibility, not a badge to wear about!
If your marriage will work, you, as the husband, should be the head, and you, the wife, should allow your husband to be the head. “Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ” (Ephesians 5:22 The Message). It is in the interest of the wife, and, indeed, the family, to allow the husband to lead. That’s God’s order that should not be violated. It doesn’t mean the husband is more intelligent than the wife!
Headship is a serious responsibility because the head leads, and can’t afford to lead the wife and the family off-course as it appeared Elimelech did (Ruth 1:1-5). Elimelech led the family to the land of Moab when there was famine in Bethlehem. Unfortunately, he died there. Thereafter, his two sons also died. Elimelech was survived by his wife, Naomi, and two daughters-in-law. In contrast, Abraham led Sarah right, obeying the voice of God to proceed to a land that He would show him (Genesis 12).
Husband, lead the home with humility, not arrogance. If you’re born again and submit to the lordship of Jesus, you’re the head of your wife, but Christ is the head of both of you and your home.
PRAYER POINT: Father, help me and my spouse to relate as equal partners in God’s gift of new life.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For more inspiring messages, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
Banso, an Abuja-based minister can be reached at Cedar Ministry International, Abuja. cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
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