Responding Biblically

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21. As mere humans we can bring death to someone with our words. Has someone ever said something to you that just cut you to the bone? I know I have. That old saying “sticks and stone will break my bones, but words will never hurt me” could not be more false. Words can destroy someone, but on the flip side, our words can build up, encourage, and bring forth new life. This could not be more true when dealing with your spouse. We all know our spouses will sin against us many times throughout our marriage and we will do the same. The taming of the tongue is one of a wife’s first steps into being submissive to her husband. Failure to communicate biblically is a sin because you are not being obedient to God. If we think about what we are going to say to our husbands and how our tone will be, before we say anything, then we have a greater chance of having a God-honoring speech come from our lips. Plus if we respond with kinder words and a less judgmental tone in our voices, the chances of your husband responding better greatly improve. Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21. We have a choice as a wife and as a Christian of how we respond when people sin against us, and they will. This sin will happen when we least expect it, from the people we won’t expect, and there will be those times when it will be very expected. When this does happen, whether expected or not, we must respond with the right words and the right actions. We are told by Peter, All of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9. It’s hard not to want to get back at your husband when he hurts you, but rather than dwelling on what he did and how you can settle the score, pray for him and let God guide your thoughts on ways that you can bless your husband. After all, that’s what Jesus did for us. There are so many ways that God could even the score with each and every one of us. Instead, He sent His son to die for our sins. He returned the hurt that we did to Him into a loving response that ultimately heals our relationship with Him so that when we pass from this life to the next, we will not be eternally separated from Him. And thank God for that. Don’t try to separate yourself from your spouse, find ways to build that relationship back together.