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…the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:33Ephesians 5:33
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
33 So each husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband.

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Respect… we all know how to spell it thanks to Aretha Franklin, but do we really know how to do it? First of all, we need to realize that this is not an option if you want to truly walk with God and be obedient to Him. It is a command. Unfortunately, our society has set a standard that respect must be earned. And with the advancement of the women’s movement, often men are viewed (and portrayed in TV and film) as bumbling buffoons that need the level-headed woman in their lives to set them straight. They hardly deserve respect! If we are not careful, these caricatures of men can become our view, too, and we will pridefully refuse to respect the man God has given to lead us. That is sin.

So, we must make sure we are viewing our husbands as the men God created them to be, and secondly we must, through the power of the Holy Spirit, choose to respect them. You may ask, “Do I have to respect him, even if his character does not deserve respect?” The answer is “yes”, because even if the man is unworthy of respect, his position is worthy. 1 Corinthians 11:31 Corinthians 11:3
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
3 Now I want you to know that Christ is the head over all men, and a man is the head over a woman. But God is the head over Christ.

WP-Bible plugin says, “Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” Clearly, God has appointed the man to a position of authority in the home. That requires of the wife not only the outward show of respect, but also an inward heart’s attitude of obedience to God. When we give this respect as unto the Lord, not by virtue of the man, we can give respect to our husbands whether they are wise and Godly, or even if they are not believers at all. In fact, this respectful behavior can even be used to draw a lost husband to the Lord (1 Peter 3:1,21 Peter 3:1,2
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Wives and Husbands ^{3 1} ; . If you are a wife, you must put your husband first. Even if he opposes our message, you will win him over by what you do. No one else will have to say anything to him, ² because he will see how you honor God and live a pure life.

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Now that we know it is a command, and that God will give us the power to respect our husbands, what does respect look like? I love the Amplified Bible version of Ephesians 5:33Ephesians 5:33
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
33 So each husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband.

WP-Bible plugin. It says “let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband – that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him, and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly.” Wow! Now that is RESPECT! And it is possible when you allow the Holy Spirit to accomplish it through you.

Circumstance come and go, husbands succeed and fail, some merit respect and others do not. Whatever you situation, you can by an act of your will, show biblical respect to your husband and show love to God in the process. It is important to your husband, and it is important to God.

practice

• Have I been fooled by the world into thinking my husband must earn my respect?
• How can I show my husband respect today?
• How hard am I willing to work at respecting my husband (God’s authority) in my life?

prayer

Lord Jesus, I know you set up all the positions of authority in the world. I thank you that you have placed my husband over me for my protection and your glory. Enable me to show my husband the respect that you intend him to have. May your power be perfected in my weaknesses, and may you be pleased with my obedience. In your name, Amen.