Treasure Your Wife

By John Weaver

March 1, 2019

The Christian is supposed to love his neighbor, and since his wife is his nearest neighbor, she should be his deepest love.

— Martin Luther

Shamefacedness, sobriety, meek and quiet spirit—these and many other terms are used to describe how Godly women are to conduct themselves.

I fear that these words have been misunderstood and even taken out of context by zealous people who want to follow the letter of the law. Way too many women or sisters are forced to live a life of oppression, becoming much more like a servant than a helper.

Proverbs 31:10 says, Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. I have not bought any rubies lately, but I have a wife who is far more valuable than any jewelry, regardless of the dollar value put on the gems. There are a great many virtuous women in our midst. Let’s treat them as they should be treated, and let’s not ever take them for granted.

I have seen women who should have been treasured and greatly appreciated, but instead were “put in their place,” so to speak, by men who themselves were not in their place. Needless to say, this does not turn out well. Homes that should reflect a peaceful atmosphere are instead more like a battleground—or worse.

Far too many sisters are victims of sexual abuse by fathers, brothers, cousins, and others—things that should not be named among us even once (Ephesians 5:3).

Going into marriage with that horrible baggage and then to be treated in any way other than to be esteemed very highly in love (1 Thessalonians 5:13) will be disastrous.

A person living under oppression will struggle with depression. Then, instead of going to the root of the problem, many will go to a doctor who will do what doctors do—prescribe something to help them cope. No, no, no!

If women are treated like they should be treated, they will (in the vast majority of cases ) in turn create a godly and pleasant atmosphere in the home.

I have often heard about how women are to be silent in the church, not to teach, etc. There are some guidelines in the Bible along these lines, but there are other Bible verses that indicate the opposite such as older women teaching younger women (Titus 2:3–5). We are in the last days. God said he will pour out His Spirit in these days, and our sons and daughters will prophesy (Joel 2:28).

God wants to use our wives and sisters in his kingdom. We men need to encourage them to serve Him and to be active in God’s service. There are many opportunities for them to serve God without teaching men.

Husbands, let’s rise to these challenges and love our wives well! Your marriage not only impacts your wife, but your children and future generations. By how you love your wife, you are teaching your sons how to treat women, and you are teaching your daughters what they should expect from men.

— Dave Willis

We men need to draw them out, help them to bloom, and appreciate them. In turn, we will be rewarded many times over. I am saying all this to try to generate an appreciation for the many godly sisters among us. We are blessed to have wives and daughters who fit the Proverbs 31 profile.

Let’s esteem and treat them very highly.

Amen!