Nice…

Nice to come home to on a Tuesday…

Confrontation in Marriage

“The husband, who is to love like Christ, bears a unique responsibility for the moral and spiritual growth of his wife—which means that over time she will change.”

“Submission does not mean that a wife cannot seek the transformation of her husband, even while respecting him as her head—her leader, protector, and provider.”

Here’s the follow-up post I promised regarding the last blog - holding your spouse accountable. I agree with my commentors that prayer is essential and not valued enough in every important situation. Specific, heartfelt prayer is the best way to hold a spouse accountable, absolutely. I also think, though, that there is a place and time for confrontation. A spouse should know your feelings about ongoing problems they’re having living up to their Christian title. Not the typical, everyday stuff, but the habitual sins, disobedience, loose speech, or growing apathy.

Saying something to them - gently and with tact - can have a powerful effect. I realize many couples don’t have any problem with this at all - some going the other extreme to constant nit-picking, but I observe a lot of silent spouses that I wish would SPEAK UP.

Anyway, here’s the article I read about this subject: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2007/2003_Marriage_Is_It_Only_Forgive_and_Forbear_or_Also_Confront

Keeping a Spouse Accountable to Godliness

I read an article this morning that goes right along with this concern. But before I post it, I would like to get your feedback.

There are a tremendous amount of marriages that fail. I won’t get on my soapbox and preach about the fact that most of them are doomed to failure from the get-go…(just had to put that in there, though, didn’t I?) In observing couples striving to have godly marriages and raise godly children and continue a growing walk with the Lord after taking on these responsibilities and pressures, I am bothered by a trend…

Wives or husbands who desire growth and godliness and all the while sit back and support or ignore a spouse who doesn’t.

How should a wife or husband deal with a spouse who 1. Claims a genuine faith in Christ and 2. Is consistently disobedient or demonstrates an ongoing apathy to Godliness…

Or, in general, a spouse that doesn’t actually seem to love the Lord at all…?