Walking in Purpose Series
The book of Ephesians teaches us about the riches of Christ and how believers should function. Our function is our purpose. As kingdom citizens, we cannot operate like the world we need to be different. We are joint heirs with Christ. We have to walk in obedience and we need to understand what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. We need to eliminate the old self.
Our ministry to our families comes first before our ministry in the church. In order for us to submit to our spouses, we need to submit to God first. Husbands and wives should be submissive to each other (Ephesians 5:21). Submitting to your spouse is spiritual warfare. It doesn’t matter what role you play. As Christians, we should be looking out for our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we are submitting to each other before marriage, we will have no problem with it in marriage.
The Role of the Wife
The role of the wife is to submit to her husband (Ephesians 5:22-24). This came about as a result of Eve’s disobedience. Eve was out of position and she was running ahead of her husband. A woman is a strong individual who can handle any situation. She was born with strength.
As a woman when you submit to God, you can then submit to your husband. One should not marry if they are not willing to submit. Submitting does not mean that you are a door mat or that you are weaker. When we submit to our husbands, we are submitting to God. If we are not submitting then something is wrong with our relationship with God. When we see our husbands doing wrong, we are to go to the place of prayer. We shouldn’t pull down or embarrass our husbands. We should ask the Holy Spirit to help us to deal with our marriage.
God gave us an example of a godly wife in Proverbs 31. If you are thinking about getting married, you should learn how to be responsible. Women need to look after their homes. They should be able to bring something to the marriage table. Parents need to teach their young women how to be a wife and how to take care of the home. Our work should never come before our home.
Women need to work on their character. We should pay more attention to our hearts rather than our face. This is not to say that making yourself pretty is wrong but it is when it becomes our focus. Outer beauty will fade but the inner beauty won’t.
“Women should be tough and independent” is what the worldly system says. A woman should only submit to her husband if he is going according to the Word of God. If he is not, it is then necessary to pray for him.
The Role of the Husband
Husbands are the head of the home. Their role is to be strong, brave and courageous. They are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church and lead in humility. Their first priority is to have a rich relationship with God so that they would be able to wash their wives with the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:25-29). The husband should be a provider. He may not be able to provide for his family financially but he should be able to provide for them emotionally (1 Timothy 5:8).
Husbands should love God more than they love their wives. Your wife should never become an idol in your eyes. They should love their wives biblically and extravagantly. Love her because she is a queen and you are a king. Husbands are called to be spiritual warriors within the home. They cannot be afraid of tiny insects.
Couples should know their roles so that they would be able to show forth Christ in the earth. Marriage is an example of Christ and it shows the unity that is in the Trinity. The Trinity works as one and no one is higher than another.
In marriage, our mandate to be fruitful and multiply is fulfilled. Children should honour their father and mother (Ephesians 6:1-3). This is the only commandment with a promise. As children of God, we should also honour our spiritual father and mother. We should honour our spiritual leaders.
We need to get married to God first and be passionate about Him. He is the only One who will teach us how to be a good spouse.
