CURRENT SERIES TITLE
"Happy Homes & Happy Living"

Lesson #7

The Faithful Wife

In dealing with the problem of forming Christian homes, I pointed out in my last talk the position that both the husband and wife should occupy. I set forth the teaching of God's Word to the effect that the wife was to be in subjection and submit to the righteous wishes of the husband as the head of the divine organization¾the home. I shall continue that discussion in this talk, and then in my next, take up the teaching of the Bible on what it requires to be a scriptural husband.

I do not expect in these discussions to be of any assistance to those who stubbornly refuse to be guided by God's dictates. There are some who are so determined to have their own way that they will willfully ignore the teaching of the Bible. But I do believe that those of us who want to be Christians can gain much benefit by again evaluating our lives and examining our hearts to see wherein we have failed to meet the requirements of heaven. We can benefit by these bits of research if we
are honest, humble and sincere.

The Bible positively teaches that man is to be the head of his family. The apostle Peter says, 'Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands . . . even as Sarah obeyed Abraham" (1 Peter 3:1,6). The apostle Paul says, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord" (Colossians 3:18).
Again, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22).

Upon what is this position based? Let us examine the word again on the matter. "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man . . . for Adam was first formed, then Eve" (1 Timothy 2 :12,13). The prior creation of man is thus urged by the inspired writer as indicating God's purpose that he should be first in authority. Once more, "For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man"
(I Corinthi­ans 11:8,9). The fact that the woman was taken from man not only shows his previous existence but his right to respect by the one taken from him.

This in no sense implies degradation. Rather it signifies the opposite. Since the woman was made of the man, it stands to reason that man cannot degrade her in origin, without degrading himself from whom she was taken. Nor does this imply that the man is to look down upon his wife. Far from it. I ask your attention again.
Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God (1 Corinthians 11:11,12).

Woman is called the weaker vessel in the Bible. This does not mean that she is weaker when it comes to intelligence. Often she knows more than her husband ever will. Nor does it mean that she is weaker in courage, for it must be admitted that through the years, women have shown a bravery and fortitude equal to that of the other sex. But physically she is not by nature qualified to take her place by the side of man. And while there are excep­tions to this rule, yet we believe it will be generally conceded that she is often more emotional and of higher, more sensitive tempera­ment than man.

For these and other reasons, God has designated man to be the head of that organization known as the home. It is expected that he shall make the final decisions for the welfare of those who depend upon him, but that he will take into consideration the sensitive natures and divinely-given rights of the family. Respect for the husband places a woman in position to teach her children respect for authority. I verily believe that one reason why we have so many boys and girls today who grow up indifferent to, and even antagonistic to, authority is because t want to arbitrarily set a standard of living which the father knows he cannot maintain. The members of the family should recognize that place or position in the social world is not nearly so important as peace and unity in the home, and they should be willing to submit to the head. In turn, he should be willing to make reasonable allowances in these matters.

Too, the father has a right to specify the regulations which will govern the family. When it comes to matters of educating the children and providing for their future, if a question arises, his judgment ought to be permitted to prevail. The same holds true with reference to business matters. The husband may and should counsel with his wife, so that if anything happens to remove him from this life, she may not be left in total ignorance of her finan­cial status, but the subject of making the living and providing for the welfare of the family is his to decide.

But the husband's authority ceases when it comes to matters pertaining to conscience or religion. There, God designates His right to govern to no one, but deals with us all as individuals. We are definitely informed by the apostles that we must obey God rather than man. And that means any man in any relationship upon this earth. If a Christian woman is married to a man who is not a Christian, he has no right to ask her to go to a place of amusement which she knows is wrong. If he does ask
her to do that, she can only politely but firmly refuse to accompany him. She must not become impatient or lose her temper about the matter. To do so would be to undo all of the good which would otherwise accrue from her firm stand for truth. But she must in such a case resist her husband, for he transcends his rights.

Neither does the husband have the right to forbid his wife attending church at the regular services. She owes to God a higher obligation than the one which she owes to man. She has a right to fulfill that responsibility without interference. Sometimes an arrogant, contentious, bull-headed husband will tell his wife that if she continues to go to church and worship God, he will leave home. Under those circumstances the wife should go on to church and do her duty to God. If the unbelieving depart, let him depart. God has called us unto peace, and there are some persons who are so stubborn that there can be no peace in their presence. But in all things, let the wife be sincere and humble. Who knows but what in this way she may win her husband to Christ, and obtain the happy home for which every Christian woman prays?

"Lessons From Yesterday" is compiled by Dwain R. Stoops

If you have comments, please contact: dstoops@msn.com

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