Hollywood movies continue to belittle the legitimate needs and desires of men and women of which the Creator Himself is author. Is there any wonder why so many are or have been in so many broken relationships. The entertainment industry does not provide instructions. In this post, we continue looking at the character qualities of the kind of man that would be able to obtain the pure affections of a woman's heart. One who would be entitled to her love according to God's plan for marriage and relationships.
3. AN INTERESTED TENDER HUSBAND
Wherever the love of Jesus reigns there is pitying tenderness and thoughtfulness of others. While women want men of strong and noble characters, whom they can respect and love, these qualities need to be mingled with tenderness and affection, patience and forbearance. When the nature of man is renewed by grace, he will be full of tenderness, sympathy, and love. The tenderness and mercy that Christ has revealed in His own precious life will be seen in those who become sharers of His grace. Communion with Christ imparts to them tenderness of heart; there will be sympathy in their looks, in the tones of the voice. The words that fall from their lips are molded into expressions of Christlike tenderness and love. Many women pine for words of love and kindness and the common attentions and courtesies due them from their husbands who have selected them as their life companions. That which brings sickness of body and mind to nearly all is dissatisfied feelings and discontented repinings. Kind, cheerful, and encouraging words will prove more effective than the most healing medicines. (Ephesians 4:32/Psalms 145:8/1 Peter 3:8/Luke 7:13/Proverbs 12:18,13:12)
4. A NOBLE HUSBAND WHO SPEAKS WORDS OF COMFORT AND SEEKS TO KEEP HIS WIFE HEALTHY
Noble - of an excellent disposition; elevated
No one can try to be like Christ without growing more noble and more true. When the husband has the nobility of character, purity of heart, elevation of mind, that every true Christian must possess, it will be made manifest in the marriage relation. He will seek to keep his wife in health and courage. He will strive to speak words of comfort, to create an atmosphere of peace in the home circle. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24) Of all the gifts which God has given to man, none is more noble or a greater blessing than the gift of speech, if it is sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (James 3:2/Colossians 4:6/Proverbs 18:21,15:26/Psalms 118:15)
Wherever there is purity of heart and nobleness of character, it will be revealed in purity and nobility of action and speech. A man shows that he has true wisdom by using the talent of speech to produce music in the souls of those who are trying to do their appointed work, and who are in need of encouragement. A noble nature does not exult in causing others pain, or delight in discovering their deficiencies. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. The greatness and nobility of a man are measured, not by the power of his feelings to subdue him, but by his power to subdue them. (Luke 6:45/Psalms 37:30/Proverbs 10:32,15:28)
5. AN INDUSTRIOUS HUSBAND THAT SUPPORTS HIS FAMILY AND SHARES HIS MONEY
The husband should cultivate industrious habits, doing his best to support his family. This will lead his wife to have respect for him. In order to maintain health, a sufficient supply of good, nourishing food is needed. As far as possible, every member of the family should be supplied with suitable clothing, sufficient for health and comfort in the changes of weather that are liable to occur. In some instances the husband proves to be too indolent to provide for a family, and his wife and children suffer. (Proverbs 19:24) None who are able to labor should be taught to expect food and clothing and shelter free of cost. (1 Timothy 5:8/2 Thessalonians 3:10/Ecclesiastes 10:18)
One of the first laws of the being is that of action. Every organ of the body has its appointed work, upon the development of which depends its strength. The normal action of all the organs gives vigor and life; inaction brings decay and death. Inaction of any of the organs of the body will be followed by a decrease in size and strength of the muscles, and will cause the blood to flow sluggishly through the blood-vessels. Had happiness consisted in doing nothing, man in his state of holy innocence would have been left unemployed. But he who formed man, knew what would be for his best happiness, and he no sooner created him than he gave him his appointed work. A life of useful labor is indispensable to the physical, mental, and moral well-being of man. It is impossible for us to enjoy health without labor. While excessive labor destroys physical and mental vigor, do-nothings rust from inaction. (Proverbs 10:16,12:24,21:25/Romans 12:11/Ecclesiastes 2:24)
Give your wife a share of the money that you receive. Let her have this as her own, and let her use it as she desires. Money is a constant test of the affections. (Acts 20:35/1 Peter 3:7)
6. A PROTECTOR
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5) Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him. The Lord has constituted the husband the head of the wife to be her protector... to protect means to cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve in safety. This is a husband’s duty. (Psalms 82:3/Ephesians 5:25)
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