From The Desk of:

Three Basic Mistakes Some Husbands Make

 Husbands often make crucial mistakes in dealing with their wives, which cause them unnecessary hardships.  Their objective of a harmonious house falls out of reach as they fall short of bridging peaceful working relationships with their wives (Ps. 127:1; Mark 3:25). Here are three common mistakes some need to correct.

Some husbands try to make their wives work alone

Many husbands feel housework is beneath them. They are only willing to lift a finger to help around the house if “Honey” is sick or out of town. Even though the house is her primary responsibility (Tit. 2:4; 1 Tim. 5:14), it is not only her responsibility. Husbands and wives become “one flesh” (Mat. 19:6) and make a home together. Mature spouses know that duties in a home sometimes overlap. A wife (especially one working outside the home) may occasionally need a little help (Luke 10:40). If Jesus as Lord served His disciples by washing their feet (John 13:4-16), you would think husbands, as “lord” (1 Pet. 3:6) would have no problem serving by washing a few dishes.

Some husbands try to make their wives obey them

These husbands are usually more concerned with their “help meet”

Gen. 2:18) following orders than anything else. A wife should comply with the wishes of her husband (Tit. 2:5) unless his desires violate the will of God (Acts 5:29). However, though the husband is the “head of the wife” (Eph. 5:23), he is not the “boss of the wife,” and there is a difference. She is not a child, pet, slave, maid, or employee that is forced to obey. She is an equal counter-part of him. She yields to him not because he exercises authority over her through threats, violence, and fear, which Jesus condemned (Mark 10:43-45), but because she is faithful to God (Eph. 5:22-24;  1 Pet. 3:1-2).

Some husbands try to make their wives inferior

A lot of husbands have a misconception that is rooted in tradition rather than Bible. They view and treat their wives as “less than,” confusing the position of husband and wife with worth. The husband is not more valuable than the wife, which is absurd. Both are of equal value as parents (Deut. 6:6-7; Col. 3:20), as spouses (Mat. 19:4-6; 1 Cor. 7:2-5) and as Christians (Gal. 3:26-28; Heb. 2:9). Therefore, it is ridiculous to believe God made the man head of the wife because he is better. The real truth of his headship was established in creation because of Eve’s creation and sin (Gen. 3:16; 1 Cor. 11:3,9; 1 Tim. 2:11-14).  The wife being the “weaker vessel” (1 Pet. 3:7) does not mean she is inferior to him in ideas, talent, independence, education, knowledge, wisdom, competence, worth, maturity, or faithfulness, but merely in physical strength.

Richard Stevens III