I gotta say, marriage isn’t exactly what I expected it to be. All those years of playing Barbies and house were just a teensy bit different than the real thing. We were happy with our homes being located in a rocky ditch in our backyard and my “husband” always loved to eat my mud pies. There weren’t too many disagreements, but if there were, we’d just quit playing with each other. We might have even said “I’m not your friend anymore” and walked away with our arms folded. That’s because this was all pretend. Remember those days?
Unfortunately for 8 year-olds, marriage is real-life. And when I say real, I mean REAL.
It’s a love like no other. It’s one of the greatest gifts that God has blessed His people with. Though it may not be as fun or easy as playing house was, it’s way more rewarding.
My husband and I have been together for 13 years and married almost 9 of those years. Starting our marriage when we were still young, it’s had a lot of time to change and grow. The biggest change being God. Though we were both believers in the beginning, God was kinda left out. It wasn’t until year #7 that God truly got invited in. Things have changed a lot since then. And for the better!
I am in by no means the perfect wife. I am far from it. I make a lot of mistakes and don’t treat my husband the way that he deserves most days. If you read Taming Your Negative Monster, then you’ll know that I have issues to work on. Many affect my husband. Taking a look at the Biblical aspects of a wife, there is a lot of direction from the Word on how to function in this role. Here are five characteristics of a Biblical wife.
1) Noble character
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. – Proverbs 12:4
As a wife, we should strive to hold to what we know is right (morally) and to demonstrate that in how we live. This means staying strong in our faith and beliefs firmly fixed and making our husbands proud (his crown) of the strength of our character.
2) Proverbs 31 focused.
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She will not hinder him but help him all her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship; she brings her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes. She quilts her own bedspreads. She dresses like royalty in gowns of finest cloth. Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council meeting with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness. – Proverbs 31:10-27
Just as the church is married to Christ and worth the blood of Jesus (he died for it!), a godly, faithful, and fruitful wife is of great worth to her husband. This humongous verse describes the Biblical wife in detail. A lot to live up to, huh? One of my favorite parts is when it says “she watches for bargains”. THAT’S ME! See? I’m totally a Proverbs 31 wife. Whatever our strong suits, this is a fantastic list with a broad range. She’s trusting, worships The Lord, economic with finances, works hard for her household, talks well about her husband to others, kind, sets a good example, raises her children well, and fears The Lord.
I can see a lot I need to work on. I pray that I can use these verses as my guide for my role as a wife. I love when the Bible paints such a clear picture of what we are supposed to do.
3) Part of a team
And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” – Matthew 19:4-6
This one is a good reminder that in marriage, we have become one. I know that we hear this a lot, but really wrap your head around it, won’t you? We women like to have our along time. Am I right? I know that I do. We also have a tendency to sometimes do things on our own. This verse is a reminder that no matter how much we enjoy doing this alone that we are now a part of a team. And with that, we need to keep our other half informed, involved, and included. Remember that each of you are not singular and work on a common vision as a couple. This one is a hard one for me since I’m a do-it-yourself kinda gal, but I want to remember our oneness like the Bible tells me, too.
4) Submits to her husband
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. – Colossians 3:18
This is a highly talked about command in the Bible. Some don’t believe this is still necessary in today’s society, but they are mistaken. Submission is a matter of respect. It doesn’t mean that as wives we are inferior. It simply means that we are to make conscious volition allowing our husbands to be the leader of our household.
5) Sets an example
In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. They are to teach what is good, so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so that God’s message will not be slandered. – Titus 2:3-5
If you’re a younger married women, then this is the kind of lady that you want to become. And obviously if you are already there then you are setting an example and you may not even know it. However, if you have a daughter then you are already setting an example. You are exhibiting how respect, self-control, purity, work around the house, raising children, kindness, and submission are done. Young ladies and women are like sponges to those around them. Show them Christ through your actions as a wife.
All of this is easier said than done. Am I right? There’s not a perfect wife that ever lived. Even Eve who had everything in the world that she would ever need as a wife made mistakes. *ahem* Let’s all give Eve a round of applause for childbirth, shall we?!
I am encouraged knowing that I can always look to the scriptures for guidance in how to be a more biblical wife.
I’m also thankful that I got to read the book Messy Beautiful Love: Hope and Redemption for Real-Life Marriages by Darlene Schacht just recently. She is a blogger and one heck of a writer. This book is teeming with honesty and bursting at the seams with truth. She takes the reader through various issues that many marriages face and gives biblical advice for how to deal with those. I felt completely challenged during the whole book. Reading about what Darlene has learned throughout her marriage is quite refreshing because she’s just so real. It’s not always rainbows and butterflies and just like the title of her book, it’s messy.
It’s also very beautiful.
Thank you God for the precious gift of marriage and the unique covenant that we are able to make with and our husbands and with You. It’s such a picture of the relationship between Christ and His church.
No matter what stage of marriage you’re in, this book is an encouraging and challenging read. I highly recommend it!
This giveaway will end on Friday, November 21st at 12:00am CT. The winner will then be chosen at random by Rafflecopter. I will contact the winner on November 22nd and they will have 24 hours to respond. If I have not heard from them in 24 hours, I will name a new winner. This giveaway is open to those in the US only.
I received a copy of Messy Beautiful Love for the purpose of review by Family Christian. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.
Pray together, daily! Talk to each other, often. Always be attentive to the needs of your husband!
Good advice Jennifer!
I have always shared at bridal showers for advice/tips to young brides – make his hobbies and interests your priority – be his cheerleader. Give him space when he needs it, but be sensitive enough to recognize when he really needs to talk – then offer to give him a back rub or foot rub while he pours out his heart. It’s worked wonders for our marriage in 22 yrs. 🙂 God blesses those who serve him together in Christian ministry at church, in your community or simply opening your home to neighbors and friends. Be purposeful together for spreading Gods love – first to each other and your children, then to the world.
This is good stuff Rebecca! LOVE everything that you said. 🙂
I loved this book. I got to read it a few months ago and it really hit home for me. There were things I needed to change in my life and once I realized that they were there I started changing them. The best part is once I started my life has done a 180 and I am so much happier in my life and role of wife.
I loved this book, too! I was really challenged by it and I’m trying my hardest to make some changes within myself. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
Those are wonderful reminders of what it means to be a wife. Being married is a gift, yet is challenging at times. Reminding ourselves of these things now and again brings so much joy to the marriage.
I’m the biblical one in our family. I wish my husband would join me in my beliefs but alas, we’ve been together for 16 years and he has yet to change. Thank goodness he doesn’t interfere with raising my girls in the church!
Proud of you Jamie and thank you for your honesty! I will pray for him. 1 Corinthians 7:14- God can do ANYTHING!
I’m not married, so I can’t say this applies to me right now. However, I appreciate the fact that marriage is something needing focus and nurturing.
Good thing I’m not Christian. I wouldn’t do well with that “submit” one… lol
lol It’s definitely not always easy. But I strive to be the wife that God wants me to be!
Everyone should have at least one or two of these examples!
I think you can take these characteristics and no matter what religion you are, if you believe in them you can have them as part of your marriage. I do appreciate how committed couples are to each other when they have such strong beliefs.
My husband would say otherwise, but I feel like I struggle at many of these. It’s something to work towards, for sure!
My best advice for being a good wife is pray and listen.
Good advice Virginia!
Praying with your husband is important. We try to pray every night together for our marriage and definitely for our kids.
YES! I love that LaVonne! We never used to do that when our marriage began and once we started, our marriage began to grow so much more!
Ooh I love that! I want to start doing that!
Remember that your relationship with your husband should be your first earthly priority – even ahead of your children. While little ones may have needs that are more urgent at times, be sure that you and your spouse are spending quality time together. Be each other’s best friend!
I agree Tracee! It’s hard to remember that sometimes when your children demand your attention so much. I have to work on this constantly. Especially with mine being so young. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Alright but what if your husband isn’t well known and doesn’t sit in the council meeting with the other civic leaders because he’s out of work or at a minimum wage job? Then he can’t afford your servant girls. Then where does that leave you?
Just kidding, I actually like Proverbs 31 and understand how it translates into today’s relationship with our families.
Lee
These are certainly some goals to work towards. I appreciate the reminder that our marriage is serving as a model for our children.
My best tip is to COMMUNICATE! I really believe a lack of communication is the root of all problems. I hope I win this book – I love books on marriage!
Yes girl! That is HUGE! If you don’t have that, it will surely fall apart.
I love everything about this post. I think about this often and would love to read this book.
Thank you Amanda!
I always tell people love is a choice not a feeling. I am lucky enough to be married to an amazing man.
I agree Ellen! Love is definitely something that you work at and not something you feel all the time!
I love Darlene and I’m excited for the chance to read her book. Thank you! Ummm, my best advice, always be honest in the most compassionate way but be honest. Talking through things is fifty times better than letting it build up and fester.
Ashley, honesty is a big one for me too! Honesty begets trust and those are two things that a marriage just can’t be without. Thanks for the comment and good luck! 🙂
I think setting the example is a big thing for my kids,, they follow suite.
Thank you for your kind words, Amy.
Very encoraging post. I know that I strive to be a Proverbs 31 wife but even I fall short. The last 2.5 years have been challenging for us. I am unable to work a regular job and it hasn’t been easy. However, God has provided for us and know that he will continue to provide for us.
I am not married, so quite an interesting question for me to be answering.
I would say to pray together. To be open with one another, always honest. To respect boundaries. Always listen and hear what your spouse is saying…active listening.
Just to name a few things…
Sounds like a wonderful book! I’d love to read it. My best advice is to respect your spouse. I’ve read where many men rather feel unloved than disrespected. However, I respect AND love my husband. 🙂
i can’t wait to read this book!
I’d say to pray for him constantly EACH day & to encourage & respect him!
I’m not a wife yet, but on my blog I write a series called Dear Future Husband that offers a lot of advice!
I too love how practical and straight forward the bible is. It gives us the perfect example to model our lives after. It is not easy most days, but when we get it right, it is so rewarding. Marriage is the hardest, but best decision I have ever made. I was young, and would do it all over again. 🙂
I feel so blessed to have a God fearing husband, who happen to have led me to the Lord. I feel you can never stop learning on how to have a Christ centered marriage!
That sounds like a great book! My sister would love it, I’ll have to let her know about it.